Act

Bill 212 - Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 - Framework for bike lanes that require removal of a traffic lane.

Regulation Number(s):
n/a
Instrument Type:
Act
Bill or Act:
Bill 212 - Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024
Summary of Decision:
The Ministry of Transportation decided on the third reading of the Bill 212, Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 on November 25, 2024, to proceed with the proposal to implement a framework for bike lanes that require removal of a traffic lane.

The legislative amendment will require prescribed municipalities to seek provincial approval to allow for the implementation of new bicycle lanes ("bike lanes") that require the removal of an existing lane of traffic. Approval will be based on a set of specified criteria, to be set out in guidance and/or regulation.

The amendments additionally provide the province with the authority to require prescribed municipalities to submit information about existing bike lanes on municipal roads where a vehicle lane was removed. Based on the outcome of the review, a decision could be made by the province to require the reconfiguration or removal of the bike lane and its return to a lane of vehicle traffic.

The legislative amendments also enable the province to remove the Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue bike lanes in the city of Toronto, and restore them to a motor vehicle traffic lane.

These legislative amendments made through Bill 212 - Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 are expected to fight gridlock, which is costing the provincial economy an estimated $11 billion dollars annually.

The province takes the safety of all road users seriously and will continue to support municipalities in their road safety efforts. In addition, safety, along with other factors, is intended to be considered in the review process for decisions on both existing and future bike lanes.

The province continues to recognize cycling as an important mode of transportation and municipalities continue to be able to determine where new bike lanes can be placed, where the removal of lanes of traffic is not required.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
The regulations and associated policy guidance for the bike lanes framework is currently being developed and will include.

• The scope of included municipalities and or roads that will be subject to the bike lanes framework.
• Defined provincial review process for bike lanes that require(d) the removal of an existing lane of traffic.
• Required data, studies, and other information that would be subject to the framework.
• Timeframes related to provincial requests for municipal data on existing bike lanes, where a lane of traffic was removed.
• Service standards for ministry decisions

Municipal compliance costs of the bike lanes framework will be dependent on the final implementation approach as detailed above, and as such is not quantifiable at this time.
Further Information:
Proposal Number:
24-MTO018
Posting Date:
October 21, 2024
Summary of Proposal:
This proposal notice has been updated on October 31, 2024, to advise the public of a further amendment to the proposed framework for bike lanes that require removal of a traffic lane.

Update details - October 31, 2024

The Ontario government is proposing an addendum to the framework that would require the province to remove sections of the Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue bike lanes in the City of Toronto and return them to a lane of traffic for motor vehicles.

The legislation would also, if passed, provide the province with the authority to establish a review process on other existing bike lanes (where the removal of a lane of traffic took place).

The review of municipal submissions would lead to the decision of whether to maintain existing bike lanes or to require their removal and return lanes to motor vehicle traffic.

Approval will be based on a set of specified criteria, to be set out in guidance and/or regulation. The criterion for the assessment of existing bike lanes will consider regulatory implications and be developed in consultation with targeted stakeholders including large municipalities.


The Government of Ontario:
• Recognizes the need to build priority highways faster as our province grows in order to get people and goods out of gridlock and save drivers and businesses time and money.
• Recognizes that accidents and lane closures can worsen traffic congestion and impact the quality of life of Ontarians.
• Is speeding up the delivery of broadband projects that will connect people in all parts of Ontario, including rural areas, with reliable internet access.
• Is building Highway 413, recognizing the importance of this highway to millions of drivers from across Ontario.

In alignment with these objectives, Ontario is looking to fight gridlock and get drivers where they need to go faster. Prescribed municipalities would be required to seek provincial approval to allow for the implementation of new bicycle lanes ("bike lanes") that require the removal of an existing lane of traffic. Approval will be based on a set of specified criteria, to be set out in guidance and/or regulation.

The proposed framework would also provide the province with the authority to require municipalities to submit information about existing bike lanes on municipal roads where an existing vehicle lane was removed. Based on the outcome of the review, a regulation could be made to require the removal of the bike lane and its return to a lane of traffic.

The framework is proposed to require the province to remove sections of the Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue bike lanes in the City of Toronto. Additional authorities to facilitate the removal of these lanes would also be included in the legislation including an exemption from the Environmental Assessment Act and the requirement for the City of Toronto to provide support to facilitate the removal of the bike lanes.
Contact Address:
Planning Policy Office
Address
438 University Avenue, 12th Floor
Toronto, ON
M5G 2K8
Canada
Royal Assent Date:
November 25, 2024
Decision:
Approved