Ontario to require provincial approval for new municipal bike lanes [Video]

The Ontario government says it will introduce legislation that would require municipalities to get provincial approval before building any new bike lanes that reduce lanes of vehicle traffic.

Municipalities would need to demonstrate any proposed bike lanes will not have a “negative impact on vehicle traffic,” according to the province.

The government will also request data from municipalities on bike lane projects initiated in the last five years, Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said Tuesday in Toronto.

“Across our province, we’re seeing an explosion of bike lanes, including many that were installed during the pandemic when fewer vehicles were on the road and their impacts on traffic were unclear,” he said.

“Strategically placed bike lanes are a vital part of every city, offering residents a safe and a reliable way to move around. What cities should not be doing, however, is taking away lanes of traffic on our most congested roads,” …