Toronto’s bike lanes have come under fire from the Ontario government, which is attempting not only to limit the city’s ability to create new, safe cycling infrastructure but is now also considering tearing out existing lanes. Blaming bike lanes for traffic congestion shows a fundamental misunderstanding of how urban transportation systems work. It also diverts attention from meaningful solutions that could ease congestion and improve mobility for everyone.

To put things in perspective, more people commute by bike in Toronto daily than the total populations of cities like Barrie, Kingston, Guelph, or Sudbury. Bikeshare ridership, for instance, has skyrocketed from 600,000 rides in 2017 to 5.3 million in 2023. These numbers reveal that Torontonians will choose to cycle when safe infrastructure is available. Yet, despite clear public support—demonstrated by the last mayoral election where anti-bike lane candidates garnered less than 15% of the vote—the province seems determined to dictate how Toronto manages its streets.

A key concept to understand is induced demand. Expanding highways to reduce congestion often backfires because it encourages more driving. This is the root of the problem in Toronto. Provincial policies promoting urban sprawl and highway expansion have induced more traffic into the city. While Torontonians increasingly choose to walk or cycle, the influx of cars from the suburbs overwhelms the city’s streets. A sliver of roadway dedicated to bike lanes is not the issue—too many cars are. The real solutions lie in congestion pricing, like London’s successful model, and a vastly improved regional transit system. These would address the mobility choices of suburban commuters and take pressure off Toronto’s roads.

The regional transit system—squarely within the province’s purview—has failed to keep pace with growth. Instead of scapegoating bike lanes, the government should fix the regional transit network. A functioning transit system would allow commuters to travel into the city efficiently, leaving their cars behind. Integrated solutions like bikeshare provide the missing link, allowing commuters to use sustainable transportation once they reach the city.

Traffic congestion northbound DVP at Dundas and no bike lanes to blame. 🤷🏻‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/TigKUXW8uy

— Ali = Alison Stewart 🚲😎 (@AlisonVStewart) November 3, 2024

The irony is hard to ignore. Billions of dollars have been spent on transit infrastructure, yet projects like the Eglinton Crosstown remain incomplete. Over budget at $12.8 billion, this mismanagement has contributed to congestion along the very streets where bike lanes are being targeted for removal. These bike lanes remain underused, not because they are ineffective, but because the overall network is still fragmented. Removing them now would be akin to abandoning the solution before it’s fully implemented.

Let’s be clear: bike lanes are not causing congestion. They are part of the solution. Well-designed bike lanes provide a safe, space-efficient mode of transport, reducing the number of cars on the road. The data backs this up. After installing bike lanes on Bloor Street, emergency response times improved, and local businesses saw an increase in customers and spending.

The idea that car-filled streets signify progress is a misconception. Cars dominate space but move relatively few people compared to transit and cycling options. The Yonge subway line, for example, moves over a million people daily, while fewer than 25,000 cars use the surface road above it. A bike lane may appear empty, but that’s because it’s functioning efficiently—moving people without causing congestion.

If the province truly wants to reduce congestion, it should focus on smart urban development—policies that encourage density, mix land uses, and promote sustainable transport. Banning street parking on major arteries, for example, would do far more to ease traffic than removing bike lanes. Cycle tracks are travel lanes that move people efficiently, while street-side parking is merely subsidized storage.

Bike lanes are not a problem to be solved; they are an essential part of the solution. They offer a sustainable, space-efficient way to move people, reduce congestion, and create safer streets. Blaming bike lanes is not only wrong but also a distraction from the real issues—underinvestment in regional transit, promotion of urban sprawl, and inefficient use of road space. To tackle congestion, we need smart, sustainable solutions that reduce car dependence and create a more livable, vibrant city for all.

Jennifer Keesmaat is a former chief city planner of Toronto and president and CEO of Collecdev-Markee.