A recent poll conducted by Canada Pulse Insights for CityNews reveals that a majority of Torontonians, 62%, are in favor of the province converting bike lanes back into motor vehicle lanes on major streets in Toronto.
The survey findings come at a time when the Ford government is initiating the removal of bike lanes on Bloor Street in Etobicoke. While 38% of residents oppose this move, the government’s plan includes eliminating approximately 19 kilometers of protected bike lanes on Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue. The next phases of removal are scheduled to commence in the upcoming spring.
Despite an offer from Mayor Olivia Chow to restore vehicle lanes on parts of Bloor Street West while preserving cycling infrastructure, the proposal was turned down by the province. Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford has also expressed his view that decisions regarding the city’s streets should be made locally rather than by Queen’s Park.
Support for the removal of bike lanes and reverting them to motor vehicle lanes is strong among Bradford supporters, with 77% in favor, while Chow supporters are evenly split. Among undecided voters, 63% are in support of the conversion.
Cycling advocates and legal professionals involved in a Charter challenge against the province’s bike lane legislation have announced their intention to escalate the appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. They argue that the issue transcends transportation policy and could have critical implications for road safety.
The poll surveyed 510 adult residents of Toronto between September 14 and 24, 2026. With a margin of error of ±4.3 percentage points, these results reflect the sentiments of a significant portion of the city’s population.
