Ford govt passes law to remove Ontario bike lanes, frustrate future installations [Video]

The Ford government’s controversial decision to remove bike lanes from major roads in Toronto, and to frustrate the efforts of other cities to install them going forward, has passed its third reading and is set to become law.

On Monday afternoon, the government completed a sped-up legislative process to pass Bill 212 after a shortened committee hearing and the addition of last-minute amendments, including one to insulate the province from lawsuits if people are hurt on streets where bike lanes have been removed.

The bill requires municipalities to seek permission from the provincial government to install new cycling infrastructure that removes a lane of traffic and promises to review those added in the past five years.

It also gives the province the power to remove the entirety of bike lanes on Bloor Street, Yonge Street and University Avenue in Toronto.

“We’ll examine the entire stretch to see which parts — ultimately …