Ford government to table legislation to restrict bike lanes on city streets

Global News can independently confirm that the Ford government is working on legislation to restrict bike lanes on city streets.

Global News has learned Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria will table the “Reducing Gridlock and Saving You Time Act” when the legislature returns in late October.

The bill, primarily aimed at drivers, will include new provincial requirements on bike lanes.

Sources have told Global News that the Ford government is considering introducing new restrictions on removing existing lanes of traffic for bike lanes.

Over the years, cities like Toronto have transformed some main streets by installing different types of infrastructure for bicycle lanes.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

At an unrelated press conference on Friday morning, Sarkaria avoided directly answering several reporter questions on the bike lanes policy.

“We’re looking at ways to make life easier for people,” Sarkaria said. “We’re looking at ways to reduce gridlock, in this province. But we have seen a record amount of gridlock because we’ve seen explosive population growth in our cities and it’s getting harder and harder for people to commute.”

Sarkaria was asked by a reporter how the government views bike lanes in regards to the policy.

“My job, as a minister of transportation, is to make sure people have choice, whether you want to take a bike, whether you want to ride public transit, whether you want to drive on a highway to get to work. Our government is is making sure you have that choice and options.”

— With files from Global News’ Gabby Rodrigues

2:00 Bike lanes in the crosshairs during Toronto election

&© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.