Toronto Halloween bike-lane protest: dozens rally at Queen's Park as province confirms first 1.2-km Bloor Street West removal

Toronto · Transit · Oct. 31, 2026 · Dozens of cycling advocates and protesters spent Halloween on the lawns of Queen's Park in Toronto, protesting Ontario's decision to continue removing bike lanes across the city. Some wore Halloween costumes and carried decorative bikes, with signs such as “Bike Lanes Save Lives”; volunteers handed out candy and chocolates.

The removal announced on Friday

The protest followed Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria's announcement on Friday that the 1.2-kilometre stretch of bike lanes on Bloor Street West in Etobicoke had been officially removed. Sarkaria told CP24 Breakfast that the province had heard from communities and moved forward on “this first part” of the removal on Bloor Street West, citing low usage of the lanes, and that the remainder would come in a subsequent construction cycle. The province says removing lanes around sections of Bloor Street, Yonge Street, Avenue Road and Queen's Park would ease traffic congestion.

A second ride the same morning

Earlier the same day, a separate Access for All Ride set out at 10:30 a.m. from Christie Pits, organised by Oda Al-anizi with support from Cycle Toronto and the Bike Brigade, rolling along Bloor Street, St. George Street and Hoskin Avenue to Queen's Park. Its message, organisers said, is that protected bike lanes are also mobility lanes: safe, connected infrastructure means access and independence for people who use mobility devices, not only for cyclists.

Arrests and the Supreme Court appeal

In recent weeks, tensions between construction crews and cycling advocates at the Bloor Street West site led to the arrest of four people, largely related to mischief. Michael Longfield, executive director of Cycle Toronto, said there is still time to change Premier Doug Ford's mind; Cycle Toronto and other advocacy groups have asked the Supreme Court of Canada to weigh in, appealing an Ontario Court of Appeal ruling that allowed the removal of protected bike lanes. This site previously reported the Bloor Street removal and the Supreme Court appeal; this is the report of the Oct. 31 Halloween protest.

Compiled from a Canadian Press report, Cycling Magazine and the day's ride organisers' account.