Ontario aware bike lane removals may not reduce congestion, could make people less safe: internal documents [Video]

Ontario’s premier and transportation minister have said for months that removing bike lanes is a necessary measure to reduce traffic in the GTA. But hundreds of pages of internal ministry documents, reports and emails show the government is aware the move may not have a meaningful impact on congestion and could increase collisions for everyone who uses roads.

The heavily-redacted documents were made public as part of a court challenge to the legislation — Bill 212 would see bike lanes on Bloor Street, Yonge Street and University Avenue removed — mounted by the charity Cycle Toronto in Toronto.

The documents were used in an argument for an injunction Tuesday to prevent any bike lane removal work until the court challenge is heard in full in April. 

The documents include a presentation on a legislative plan for a “pro-driver package” and emails between Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO) staff that cast doubt on …