Any new bike lanes in Ontario towns could need provincial approval under new rules

Any future bike lanes coming to Ontario towns and cities could soon need provincial approval thanks to new rules proposed by Brampton MP and Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria.

The changes are set to be introduced when the Ontario legislature returns for the fall session later this month as a way to reduce “gridlock” on the roads, as Sarkaria says Ontario has seen “an explosion of bike lanes” in recent years.

If passed, the legislation would require municipalities to show the province that any proposed bike lanes “won’t have a negative impact on vehicle traffic.” The minister said many newer bike lanes were installed during the pandemic “when fewer vehicles were on the road and their impacts on traffic were unclear.”

“Too many drivers are now stuck in gridlock as a result, which is why our government is bringing informed decision-making and oversight to bike lanes as well as taking steps to increase speed limits safely and clean up potholes,” he said in a statement.

While the new rules could add additional red tape for municipalities looking to expand mobility options, already approved projects  – like nearly two kilometres of new bike lanes and sharrows in Brampton – won’t be impacted.

Along with more oversight on bike lanes, the province says it plans to consult with municipalities to develop a potholes prevention and repair fund for the 2025 construction season – a program that would support smaller municipalities with road maintenance and set standards to help improve road conditions.

The changes would also see a further freeze fee increases, which are set to rise roughly 4.5 per cent every year, saving Ontarians some $72 million.

In addition, to help make Ontario roads safer and prevent accidents and damages that can occur from potholes, the government is consulting with municipalities to develop a potholes prevention and repair fund to open in the 2025 construction season. The program would support smaller municipalities with road maintenance and set standards to help improve road conditions and promote high-quality roadwork across the province.

The government is also proposing to enshrine in the legislation the current freeze on knowledge and road test fees so that any future increases would require a legislative amendment. The freeze on fee increases, which was scheduled to rise roughly 4.5 per cent a year, will help save Ontarians $72 million this decade.

Data from the Canadian Automotive Association shows bike lanes both promote bicycle use and improve safety for both riders and drivers. A 202 survey found 31 per cent of Canadians would cycle more if cycling infrastructure was better, while 40 per cent felt lanes separated by physical barriers would encourage more cycling.