Province's plans to limit bike lanes 'stepping directly into municipal jurisdiction,' says Waterloo mayor

Waterloo's mayor says the provincial government has overstepped it bounds following the announcement of potential legislation requiring municipalities to seek provincial approval for new bike lanes.

Waterloo Mayor Dorthy McCabe told CBC News she was surprised by the announcement and says Premier Doug Ford's government is interfering in municipal affairs.

"I am surprised that the province is stepping directly into municipal jurisdiction, particularly because the premier has said on a number of occasions that he does not want to interfere," McCabe said in an interview.

Under the new legislation, municipalities would need to demonstrate any proposed bike lanes will not have a "negative impact on vehicle traffic," according to the province.

Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria made the announcement in Toronto on Tuesday.

"Across our province, we're seeing an explosion of bike lanes, including many that were installed during the pandemic when fewer vehicles were on the road and their impacts on traffic were unclear," he said.

"Strategically placed bike lanes are a vital part of every city, offering residents a safe and a reliable way to move around. What cities should not be doing, however, is taking away lanes of traffic on our most congested roads," Sarkaria continued, adding bike lanes should be installed on side streets instead.

McCabe also called on the province to address what she believes are more pressing needs for Ontario municipalities.

"There are a lot of things the municipalities have actually been asking the province for," she said. "If we could get the premier to respond to us around some of the things we're actually asking the province for, that would be great."

Waterloo is known for a robust network of bike lanes. Cycling advocacy group PeopleForBikes ranked Waterloo the top city in Ontario for connected bike networks and the 11th city overall in Canada.

McCabe is an avid cyclist and says bike lanes are an important part of reducing vehicle traffic.

"The idea behind building bike lanes is to help people find other alternatives so that they don't add to traffic," she said.

Kitchener consults with emergency services about bike lanes: Mayor

During the announcement, Sarkaria called out bike lanes in downtown Kitchener along Joseph and Cedar streets. He said they were "underused" and "making it difficult for emerging emergency vehicles to get through."  

CBC reached out to the Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services but they declined to comment.

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic told CBC News city staff with work with "a variety of stakeholders" when they plan for bike lanes.

"This includes consultation with emergency services as part of the design process for cycling facilities. The design includes rolled curbs that can be mounted and wide cycling lanes that can also be used by emergency services if necessary," Vrbanovic said.

"Our local municipal emergency service, Kitchener Fire, does not view cycling infrastructure as impeding access in the case of emergency."

Vrbanovic echoed McCabe's comments that it should be up for a municipality to make decisions that best suit their communities.

"Local and regional governments across Ontario need to be able to address the transportation mobility needs of their residents with the full range of options available to them in the mobility toolbox - including the ability to invest in roads and highways, public transportation and sidewalks, trails and cycling lanes," he said.

He noted that includes projects like two-way, all-day GO trains on the Kitchener line, a GO train to Cambridge, the Highway 7 expansion and growth of public transit including the region's LRT.

Residents, cyclists divided on bike lanes

Mandy Schade is a cyclist and lives near the Joseph Street bike lane. She says the bike lane is underused.

"I don't think it's used as much as it was intended to be," Schade said. "Half the road is a bike lane and half the road is a one-way street now. It does hinder traffic."

Aaron Husain, who works on Joseph Street, says the bike lane should be used for vehicle traffic.

"I do think it could be used for vehicles. There's a lot of traffic that backs up here throughout the day," Husain said.

Alex Biczok lives near the Cedar Street bike lane. Though he is not a cyclist himself, he supports the bike lane.

"I'm glad that we have it; I see a lot of people cycling by," he said. "It also helps to calm traffic in the neighborhood. I would like to see more cycle lanes."

'Bike lanes make things safe,' says advocate

Janice Jim is vice president of Cycle Waterloo Region, a cycling advocacy group. Jim disputes the claim bike lanes can negatively impact traffic.

"It's not based on data. There are a lot of studies by planners that show bike lanes make things safe for everyone," she said.

Jim also says that bike lanes are a cost-effective measure to fight congestion.

"Bike lanes cost less tax dollars to maintain. Maintaining a stretch of road is actually really expensive because cars cause more wear and tear," she said.

Going forward, McCabe says she is concerned that this legislation will affect future planned bike lanes. She says she is waiting to see what the legislation will look like once it is tabled.