The lawsuit was filed in Ontario Superior Court on Friday, Feb. 21. The 40 business owners are seeking $10 million from the city for “negligence and nuisance”
The group is also requesting a court injunction to remove the bike lanes along Bloor Street West and restore the streets to their original condition.
Cody MacRae is the founder of the non-profit community group Balance on Bloor. He says the community’s concerns about the bike lanes have been ignored.
“It has caused huge suffering in our community. Whether it be senior citizens who can’t access businesses properly or people with disabilities who are complaining.”
Cyclists and advocates have long called for action to improve safety on Toronto’s streets following numerous fatalities and bikes struck by drivers on roadways.
Executive Director of Cycle Toronto, Michael Longfield questioned the decision to sue the city.
“The City of Toronto has voted on these bike lanes now at least four times. And each time it passes City Council. I understand folks may not be content with that decision, but there is actually a transparent and democratic process for how these projects happen.”
“It has caused huge suffering in our community. Whether it be senior citizens who can’t access businesses properly or people with disabilities who are complaining.”
Complaining about the BIKE LANES and not the multi-ton vehicles that are actually killing people? BUUUUULLLLLLL SHIIIIIITTTTT
Bankrupt these businesses. I’m so sick of car centric societies. Bikes work to reduce congestion. Maybe these people would be happier if they hopped on a bike.
If it’s any consolation, the asshole mentioned in the article owns a restaurant that’s been review-bombed by a lot of people who are unhappy with his anti-cyclist, anti-community vitriol. 😄
As much as bikers can piss me off…companies complaining about a bike lane, not on their property and NOT preventing access to their business is absolutely absurd. Any company complaining about it can get fucked.
If they remove the bike lane, those bikes are going on the sidewalk and guess what businesses…they will be closer to your doors
I’ve got half a mind to go to Etobicoke just to bike around and make a bunch of noise with a bike horn through a bullhorn just to piss them off.
Why do people think bikes belong on sidewalks?
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I personally feel it’s safer getting into an accident with a ped then a car. Scrapes vs road meat. Then again, I ride a mountain bike and go slow and not some speed demon on a 40k bike with tires as thin as condoms
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I duno
I ride and walk. I hate seeing fully grown people in the sidewalks with their bike.
My bike isn’t expensive and I have to pedal downhill to break speed limits outside of school zones. Still think we shouldn’t be on sidewalks.
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I generally cycle at night and in the burbs where there is no walking traffic. On the off chance that I do see a pedestrian I just ride on the lawn for 100 feet.
Hey would you look at that! Businesses that have the same insane, right wing views as our provincial government. It would be a shame if they all got bad reviews about it.
We’re not anti-cycling, we just don’t want bikes in front of our businesses and we want a $10M handout.