Ontario ordered to pause Toronto bike lane removal until Charter case decided [Video]

Premier Doug Ford’s government has been ordered to keep its hands off three major Toronto bike lanes until a judge can decide whether a plan to remove them is unconstitutional.

The injunction handed down Tuesday was heralded as a win by the cyclist group challenging Ontario’s bid to rip up the lanes on Bloor Street, Yonge Street and University Avenue.

“It’s definitely a win for anyone who wants fact-based and data-driven decisions,” said Michael Longfield, Cycle Toronto’s executive director.

“I hope this gives the province an opportunity to maybe pause and reverse this legislation and instead work on real solutions that will keep Torontonians and Ontarians moving.”

Ford’s Progressive Conservative government gave itself the power last year to remove 19 kilometres of protected bike lanes, over the objections of the city. It passed a law that also requires cities to seek provincial approval to install new lanes that cut into …