Advocating for safe bike lanes

Advocating for Bike Lanes and Equality

About The Website

Bill 212

The proposed removal of bike lanes on major streets like Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue has raised safety concerns. Cyclists argue that these lanes are crucial for their safety and that their removal could lead to more accidents and fatalities.

Moving towards cycling equity in Toronto

Urban areas usually have better infrastructure compared to suburban and rural areas, leaving lower-income, racialized, and Indigenous communities underserved.

VIDEO - Fight for Bikes Event in Toronto

WATCH THE VIDEO - Fight for bikes rally happened last Saturday at Christie Pits park in Toronto. Hundreds of cyclist, local business, and officials were present.

SURVEY

We want to know what you think about the issue of the bike lanes in Toronto. Please fill out the form, thank you.

Advocating for safe Bike Lanes in Ontario

Please write to the Premier Doug Ford and the Minister of transportation of Ontario Prabmeet Sarkaria. Contact email addresses below.

Ford government moves to bar lawsuits over injured, killed cyclists after bike lane removals

The Ford government has amended its bike lane bill to block lawsuits that could otherwise arise should cyclists be injured or killed after protected lanes are removed.

Critical Mass rally at 6pm in High Park

ALL OUT FRIDAY!!!! FIGHT BACK!! Join us and many, MANY others Friday for #CriticalMass. Gather at High Park at 6:00pm for a 6:30pm departure.

"Fridays For Future TO / Dec. 7

Join us in protest on Saturday December 7 195 Norseman at 3pm There will be a community ride at High Park at 2pm

Bike Lanes Protest November 23, 2024

Meet us on the South Lawn of Queen's Park on Saturday 23rd at 2pm. After a few speeches at the park, we will split into three groups to bike down University, Yonge and Bloor. Bring your bikes if you have them!

East End vs Bill212 Event (November 17, 2024)

"East Enders! Ride in protest against Doug Ford's Bill 212! On Sunday, November 17th at 3:30pm, we will ride from the Alexander the Great Plaza to Queens Park to join in the Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

A Torontonian Cyclist Story

While there are days when I feel frustrated or discouraged, there are also moments of joy and connection that remind me of the beauty and resilience of women cyclists in this city.

Fight for Bikes group #fightforbikesto

Fight for Bikes is a grassroots advocacy group in Toronto that focuses on protecting and expanding cycling infrastructure in the city. The group was founded by two University of Toronto students, Zev and Eva, and has quickly gained momentum with its passionate and dedicated members.

Bike lanes encourage cycling participation!

According to the City of Toronto Cycling Study, from 2019, Cycling is one of the fastest-growing transportation modes in the city. 70% of residents reported cycling, up from 54% in 2009 and 48% in 1999. 35% expressed a desire to bike more if streets felt safer. Only 17% are willing to ride on streets without dedicated lanes. Residents are twice as likely to feel comfortable on major roads with bike lanes (31% comfortable, 32% somewhat comfortable) compared to those without (15% comfortable, 20% somewhat comfortable).1

Recognize that there are barriers to cycling

Barriers to cycling include infrastructure, construction, traffic congestion, safety, and affordability. Bike lanes make everyone safer. Misogyny and sexism are prevalent in cycling culture. Only 3 out of 10 cyclists are women. 94% of women and non-binary people reported some level of traumatic incident or abuse while cycling. 88% of perpetrators were drivers in cars. 5% were other cyclists.2 Incidents experienced included: Verbal harassment: Yelling insults, threats, swearing, catcalling and misogynistic slurs. Physical intimidation: Deliberate swerving by cars, close passes, tailgating, the throwing of projectiles, aggressive stalking, honking, rolling coal (a term used to describe when a driver intentionally causes their vehicle to emit large amounts of black smoke). Threats: Drivers threatening to kill cyclists. Collisions: Cyclists frequently injured in collisions with joggers and dogs, hit-and-runs. Male cyclists: Dismissive behaviour, lack of support for female cyclists.2

Use Your Voice

Send a letter to your MPs about the importance of bike lanes. Advocate for infrastructure and bike lanes to promote safety for all. Stand against bills that are taking away our bike lanes.

Donate a Bike

Women's Cycling Network Bike Match Program3 Click on the link to learn more: https://www.cycleto.ca/womens-cycling-network-bike-match-program

Reach Out

Write to Cycling Organizations to see how you can support advocating for bike lanes, volunteer, sign petitions, or attend events.

"The bicycle: a simple, clean, and environmentally sustainable means of transportation was invented in 1817 by Baron Karl von Drais de Sauerbrun. This was the first two-wheeled rider-propelled machine ever invented. Since its invention, the bicycle has contributed to cleaner air, less congestion and has made education, health care and other social services more accessible to the most vulnerable populations. Beyond its social, environmental and health benefits, recent social studies carried out in Uganda, Tanzania and Sri Lanka have shown that having a bicycle can increase the income of a family by as much as 35%. This is a tremendous help at grass roots level and can assist people to get out of poverty." (Curious Earth, 2024)
On your bike, get set, go! Cycling to save our planet: https://curious.earth/blog/cycle-to-save-the-planet/ | https://curious.earth/blog/cycle-to-save-the-planet/

Toronto Community Bikeways Coalition

Toronto Community Bikeways Coalition | Advocating for Bike Lanes and Safe Cycling Infrastructure in Toronto This is an excellent website that focuses on involving local communities to research and publicize cycling data related to budget disclosure, recent bike infrastructure, road safety and climate change. They collaborate and network with community groups, and have volunteers that developed a petition, signed by 120 Toronto community groups. They track progress on the city’s climate, public health, equity, and road safety policies, and call for accountability for bikeways being safe and maintained throughout the year.

CycleTO

https://www.cycleto.ca/ It is another site that advocates for bike lanes. They share cycling resources and how to develop advocacy skills, and have opportunities for volunteering, signing petitions, and attending events.

Bike Host program

Inclusive cycling policies can help increase participation, especially in urban areas where cycling is seen as impractical for family-related tasks. We need policy interventions that support cycling for household tasks, particularly for women and caregivers, by addressing the specific barriers they face (e.g., better infrastructure, childcare-friendly bicycles, and bike racks). The Bike Host program provides bicycles, helmets, locks, and mentorship to new cyclists, helping to address the barriers they face and encouraging cycling for household-serving tasks. Mentorship was key in building participants' confidence and in shifting perceptions about the feasibility of cycling for everyday errands.4 This program was successful. Grocery shopping: 56.7% of participants cycled for this task, with 52.9% cycling more than 75% of the time. Social activities: 73.3% cycled for social events, with 31.8% cycling for social activities more than 75% of the time. Cycling for school: 61.1% of participants cycled to school, with 81.8% cycling for more than 75% of the time.4

FACTS

Other countries have created bike lanes, and infrastructure that supports cycling
Traffic congestion needs to be solved
Our climate matters - Riding your bike reduces pollution
Cycling improves overall health

MYTHS

Bikes are affordable
Women don't want to cycle
Bike lanes cause more traffic
People with varying abilities cannot ride bikes