Thread by @CycleToronto

Last night’s Etobicoke Centre cycling consultation was to “provide information and gather feedback” on the ward's cycling projects.

It immediately devolved into chaos. Endless heckling, climate conspiracies - even a suggestion that "the truckers" be called about all of this.

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Councillor Holyday opened the night by reminding the crowd he did not support the Bloor West cycle track extension to the borders of his ward. He acknowledged that there may, however, be people in the crowd that support cycling projects, drawing definitively mixed reactions.

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Next was a City of Toronto staff presentation on the benefits of cycling infrastructure in general. The most contentious point, judging by the crowd’s reaction, was that cycling helps us reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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Evidently, the biggest concern of the crowd was the Etobicoke Bloor West bike lane extension. Community members were incensed at supposed increased congestion and delayed emergency response. Many commented that the new bike infrastructure actually rendered cycling less safe.

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The floor then opened up for comments, with one of the first speakers inadvertently making a great case for alternative modes of transportation.

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In one chaotic moment, a man speaking in favour of cycling projects was booed off stage and called a “radical left liberal” by a person who had earlier claimed that those who work in construction won’t accept jobs in the area anymore due to the bike lanes.

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Overall, despite the outrage on display, we know how popular improved cycling connections are across the city.

In the 2023 Mayoral election, over 85% of voters rejected the rhetoric of candidates who tried to use bike lanes as a wedge issue.

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But there’s still more work to do - join us today and find out how you can help us continue fighting for a safer cycling city.



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