Furey launches petition to reduce bike lanes

Says current approach to bike lanes is “outrageous”

Toronto mayoralty candidate Anthony Furey has launched a petition on his campaign website to slow the installation of new bike lanes in Toronto, and in some cases reverse them.

Furey said as Mayor, he will halt Toronto’s “outrageous” pledge to create new dedicated bike lanes throughout the city and will remove the University Avenue dedicated lanes.

“The current approach to bike lanes in Toronto is outrageous — it has just gone too far,” says Furey.

“Ambulance response times have slowed, the Taste of the Danforth was cancelled, traffic is worse — this is why, as Mayor, I will say no more bike lanes on major roads.”

Furey will remove the dedicated lanes on University Avenue in the name of public safety, to better facilitate access to Hospital Row. Other lanes will be considered for removal in consultation with actual community stakeholders as opposed to the vocal minority bike lobby.

Furey says, “I often ride my bike to run errands or go out with my kids, but you can’t just see the world through one lens. You’ve got to respect everyone. Toronto’s most hardcore cycling advocates don’t care if they ruin small businesses or block ambulances. They’ve just gone too far.”

The City made a commitment last year to build 100kms of new bike lanes by 2024. Furey says this is because they can’t say no to fringe activists who don’t represent average Toronto residents.

As Mayor, Furey will be open to creating new bike lanes but will work with BIAs, community groups and cyclists to locate appropriate streets that are not main thoroughfares and do not burden local neighbourhoods.

The petition text reads:

“We, the, undersigned, being residents in the City of Toronto, believe the current strategy on bike lanes has:

• Negatively impacted traffic congestion
• Caused delays for emergency vehicles
• Worsened parking problems especially in the downtown core

Call on Toronto City Council to immediately:

• Halt the plans for new dedicated bike lanes on Bloor St W, Eglinton Ave, Sheppard Ave and Kingston Rd
• Work with BIAs, community groups and moderate cyclists to locate appropriate routes for any new bike paths
• Remove the bike lanes from University Ave and other areas where they adversely affect first responders’ ability to serve Torontonians”