Dear Friends,

As you may know the Ontario Court of Appeal issued a decision further to a Charter challenge that had been brought against the Ontario government by Cycle Toronto based on the government’s decision to remove existing cycling infrastructure and constrain the ability of municipalities to install new cycling infrastructure. The province lost a lower court case and appealed.

Our statement below is in response to the Court’s decision.

To be clear this decision is not a ruling on the provincial government’s legislative or policy choices. Instead, it affirms the province’s ability to pass this legislation.

As our statement below outlines, we look forward to continuing our work with our partners – and in particular, our municipal partners, to demonstrate the importance of cycling infrastructure to the safety and wellbeing of all Ontarians.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, you can reach us at [email protected]

Yours in safe cycling,

Eleanor McMahon
Founder and Board Chair
Share the Road Cycling Coalition

 

Statement on Ontario Court of Appeal Decision

(Burlington – August 14 th , 2026) – Today’s Ontario Court of Appeal decision confirms that the provincial
government has the authority to intervene in municipal transportation decisions. It does not endorse removing
bike lanes, nor does it suggest that such actions improve safety. The ruling is about jurisdiction — not about the
merits of cycling infrastructure or the evidence behind it.

With authority comes responsibility — especially when it comes to road safety and protecting the well-being of
constituents.

Governments have a duty to act in the public interest and to make decisions that reduce risk, prevent injuries,
and keep people safe. Cycling is a growing choice for Ontarians — for reasons of efficiency, affordability,
enjoyment, and health — and it is incumbent on government to ensure that people who bike, walk, and drive
can move through their communities safely and predictably. Removing bike lanes puts people at risk.
Evidencebased policy protects them.

We want to recognize Cycle Toronto for bringing forward this Charter challenge and for creating a moment for
all of us to reflect on our shared priorities. Their decision to launch the legal challenge has helped elevate an
important conversation about safety, evidencebased decisionmaking, and the future of mobility and
transportation choice in Ontario.

This moment also arrives as we prepare for the 2026 Ontario Bike Summit, where municipal leaders,
transportation professionals, community advocates, and thought leaders from across Ontario, Canada, and the
United States will come together to focus on how best to honour the desire of a growing number of Ontarians to
choose cycling. The Summit is an opportunity to build shared purpose, strengthen partnerships, and explore
practical, evidencebased approaches to creating safer, more connected communities.

The provincial government now has an opportunity to work collaboratively with municipalities and community
organizations — including the Share the Road Cycling Coalition (The Coalition), Cycle Toronto, and many
others — to ensure decisions about cycling infrastructure are grounded in data, shaped by local needs, and
focused on keeping people safe. Evidencebased policy is not ideological; it is a shared responsibility.

We invite the Government of Ontario to use the authority affirmed today to strengthen partnerships, support
safer communities, and build transportation systems that reflect the best available evidence. When we work
together, we create streets that serve everyone well – reducing the likelihood of harm, advancing local
economies, and ensuring the well-being of travelers..

The Coalition remains committed to collaboration, dialogue, and constructive engagement. We stand ready to
work with all levels of government and with partners across the province to ensure that every person, in every
community, can choose to bike safely and confidently.

 

About the Share the Road Cycling Coalition
The Share the Road Cycling Coalition is a provincial advocacy and policy organization committed to advancing
a Bicycle Friendly Ontario. We work to create safer, more accessible, and more equitable cycling environments
for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

Grounded in education, evidence-informed policy development, and collaborative partnerships, the Coalition
supports communities across Ontario in strengthening their cycling networks and road safety initiatives. The
Coalition’s work is guided by a broad network of local experts, municipal leaders, public health professionals,
law enforcement partners, business and tourism representatives, and community advocates.

Together, we champion the development of connected cycling infrastructure, inclusive mobility policies, and
community programs that encourage more people to choose cycling as a safe, healthy, and sustainable mode of
transportation.

For Information:
Eleanor McMahon
Founder and Board Chair
[email protected]