64% of Ontarians Say Municipalities, Not Queen’s Park, Should Decide on Local Bike Lanes

New provincial poll finds support for local decision-making in every region of Ontario,
while support for safer road infrastructure for everyone who uses them remains strong

TORONTO, September 23, 2026 – A new Abacus Data survey commissioned by the Share the Road
Cycling Coalition (The Coalition) and the Ontario Traffic Council (OTC) finds that nearly two-thirds of
Ontarians (64%) believe municipalities, not the provincial government, should decide where local bike
lanes are located.

The finding comes as Ontario remains divided over provincial legislation restricting new bike lanes that
remove a lane of vehicle traffic. While the legislation itself splits public opinion, with 44% supporting it
and 40% opposing it, support for municipal decision-making is the majority view in every region of the
province.

Support for local control is strongest in Southwestern Ontario (71%) and Ottawa (68%), and exceeds
60% in every other region surveyed, including Toronto.

The polling results are being released on the eve of the Share the Road Cycling Coalition’s annual
Ontario Bike Summit, which this year follows the Ontario Traffic Council’s Active Transportation
Symposium.

“Ontarians are sending a clear message: local roads deserve local decisions,” said Eleanor McMahon,
Board Chair of the Share the Road Cycling Coalition. “While opinions differ on specific bike lane
projects, people trust their municipalities to make decisions based on local needs, local data and local
priorities. That view is remarkably consistent across Ontario, regardless of region or political debate.
This was an important time to check in with Ontarians, and we’re pleased to see people are ready and
want investment in safe cycling options.”

The survey also found that only one-third of Ontarians (33%) believe the provincial government is
doing enough to address the concerns of cyclists. In no region does that figure reach 40%.

Strong Support for Safer Roads and Cycling Infrastructure

Despite two years of public debate over bike lanes, support for provincial investment in cycling
infrastructure has remained remarkably steady since The Coalition’s previous provincial survey in 2023.
Nearly two-thirds of Ontarians (65%) agree the provincial government should invest in cycling
infrastructure because it makes roads safer for both cyclists and motorists, while 72% agree that
investing in proper cycling infrastructure makes roads safer for all road users. Another 66% believe
more people would ride if communities had more and better cycling infrastructure, such as protected
bike lanes and paved shoulders.

The strongest point of agreement in the entire survey was road safety: 86% of Ontarians agree that
roads should be designed to be safe for everyone, whether they drive, cycle, walk or take transit.

Specific investments also received broad support:

● 88% support provincial investment in active travel plans that encourage walking and cycling to
school.
● 80% support expanded public education on road safety and the safe use of bicycles, e-bikes
and e-scooters.
● 65% support a province-wide cycling education program modelled on swimming lessons.
● 59% support creating a dedicated provincial active transportation fund.

“The findings reinforce what municipalities see every day: people are far more likely to ride when they
feel safe,” said Geoff Wilkinson, Executive Director of the Ontario Traffic Council. “Local governments
understand their roads, traffic patterns and safety challenges better than anyone. Connected,
well-designed infrastructure remains one of the most effective tools available to improve safety for all
road users.”

Fewer Ontarians Are Cycling, and Safety Remains the Main Barrier

The number of Ontarians who never cycle has risen, from 32% in 2023 to 41% today. Interest in cycling
more often has also declined, falling from 51% in 2023 to 41%.

Among Ontarians who rarely or never cycle, concern about safety on shared roads is the leading
barrier, cited by 41% of respondents. Women are more likely than men to identify safety concerns as a
reason for not riding.

When asked how safe they would feel riding on roads in their community, 52% said they would feel
safe while 43% said they would feel unsafe.

At the same time, Ontarians clearly connect safety with infrastructure. Six in ten (60%) say they would
feel more confident cycling if their communities had safe, connected active transportation
infrastructure.

Asked what would most encourage them to cycle more often, respondents identified:
● Having destinations closer to where they live (21%);
● Bike lanes or trails that connect to destinations they want to reach (16%);
● Bike lanes or trails that connect to transit (10%).

“The debate over bike lanes has been noisy, but public opinion has been remarkably stable,” said David
Coletto, Founder and CEO of Abacus Data. “Ontarians continue to support safer roads and investments
in cycling infrastructure. What has changed is participation. Fewer people are riding, and safety remains
the main reason. The challenge ahead is closing the gap between the infrastructure people say they
want and the number who feel comfortable getting on a bike.”

Key Findings

● 64% say municipalities should decide where bike lanes are located on local roads.
● 44% support and 40% oppose the province’s bike lane legislation.
● 65% support provincial investment in cycling infrastructure because it improves road safety.
● Only 33% believe the provincial government is doing enough to address cyclists’ concerns.
● 41% of Ontarians never cycle, up from 32% in 2023.
● 43% would not feel safe cycling on roads in their community.
● 41% of non-cyclists cite safety on shared roads as their biggest barrier to cycling.
Share the Road Cycling Coalition and Ontario Traffic Council | Abacus Data survey, September 2026 Page 2

● 86% agree roads should be designed to be safe for all users, regardless of how they travel.
● 46% say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who makes a strong commitment to
road safety and cycling infrastructure.
● 66% support developing an Ontario cycling tourism strategy.
● 30% have taken a cycling-related trip in Ontario in the past three years.
● 52% are interested in taking a cycling tourism trip in the future.

About the Survey

The survey was conducted online by Abacus Data among 2,000 Ontario residents aged 18 and over
between August 27 and September 1, 2026. The data were weighted according to census benchmarks
for age, gender, education and region. The margin of error for a comparable random sample is +/- 2.2
percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Find the report here: sharetheroad.ca/news/

About the Share the Road Cycling Coalition

The Share the Road Cycling Coalition is Ontario’s cycling advocacy and policy organization, working
with municipalities, community organizations and governments to make communities across Ontario
safer and more accessible for people who cycle. Through its Bicycle Friendly Communities program,
Share the Road recognizes municipalities that are creating safer, more connected places to ride. Learn
more at sharetheroad.ca.

About the Ontario Traffic Council

The Ontario Traffic Council (OTC) is a leading voice in multi-modal transportation in Ontario, providing
expertise in traffic engineering, transportation planning, safety and traffic enforcement. Established in
1950, the OTC promotes education, best practices, research and innovation to support safer
transportation systems, including active transportation, cycling, micro-mobility and transit. Learn more
at otc.org.

About Abacus Data

Abacus Data is a Canadian public opinion and market research firm founded in 2010, with offices in
Ottawa, Toronto, Halifax and Winnipeg. The firm advises corporate, association, government and
non-profit clients on public opinion, reputation and strategy, and its research is regularly cited by
decision-makers and national media.

Media Contacts

Samantha Clark
Media Relations, Share the
Road Cycling Coalition
[email protected]
519-221-3466

Geoff Wilkinson
Executive Director, Ontario
Traffic Council
[email protected]
905-449-5762

David Coletto
Founder and CEO, Abacus
Data
[email protected]