How special interests and mismanagement led Toronto into gridlock

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Picture a sunny Saturday morning in Toronto: A group of cyclists, led by Michael Longfield, executive director of Cycle Toronto, pedals proudly through the city’s bike lanes — an organized ride showcasing their advocacy in action.

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Longfield, hailed as a champion of safer streets and environmental progress, has become the face of Toronto’s cycling movement. But beneath this polished image, is Cycle Toronto truly serving the public’s interest, or is it advancing a more self-serving agenda?

The Ontario government’s recent intervention into Toronto’s bike lane policies has exposed deep flaws in the city’s transportation agenda. Rather than developing an inclusive network that serves all residents, Toronto’s transportation policy has been hijacked by narrow interests, ineffective leadership, and the unchecked influence of special interest groups. At the heart of this issue is Cycle Toronto.

Cycle Toronto brands itself as an independent advocate for cyclists, pushing for safer streets and sustainable city planning. However, the organization’s financial records, available through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), tell a different story. In 2022, Cycle Toronto reported $498,000 in revenue, with more than half — $252,000 — coming directly from government sources. Of that amount, $68,500 was provided by municipal governments.

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This public funding raises serious questions about the organization’s independence. A lobby group that relies on taxpayer dollars from the very government it pressures is inherently conflicted.

Their unyielding push for more bike lanes suggests an agenda driven as much by self-preservation as by balanced advocacy.

Toronto’s city council has amplified this issue by repeatedly failing to prioritize the public interest. As congestion worsens citywide, many councillors seem more focused on placating advocacy groups like Cycle Toronto than on addressing the needs of the wider public. Councillors such as Amber Morley and Gord Perks, outspoken supporters of the cycling lobby, have repeatedly ignored the voices of constituents whose daily lives are impacted by increased traffic congestion, restricted access, and slower emergency response times. This capitulation to special interests has fuelled public frustration and led Ontario’s government to step in to restore some measure of accountability.

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Another central player in Toronto’s transportation crisis is Barbara Gray, the head of the City’s Transportation Services department. Since Gray’s appointment, Toronto’s transportation infrastructure has descended into chaos. Traffic data provider TomTom has placed Toronto right at the top of the charts as North America’s worst congested city, and third worst in the world. Other data providers including INRIX corroborate massive negative trends in Toronto since 2016. These are not just statistical facts — it’s a stark reflection of the city’s transportation crisis.

Rather than crafting a comprehensive strategy that considers all forms of transit, Gray has pursued a narrow approach focused almost exclusively on expanding bike lanes. Her policies have effectively turned Toronto into a cautionary tale for one-sided urban planning, where the needs of the majority are sacrificed for an ideological project.

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Gray’s alignment with Cycle Toronto further complicates matters: Over the past three years, Cycle Toronto has received more than $323,000 in government funding, likely with significant contributions from the city itself. This cozy relationship raises concerns that public transportation policies are increasingly shaped by the agenda of a single advocacy group rather than by the needs of all Toronto residents.

Toronto’s transportation system must be reimagined with a focus on inclusivity, accessibility and practical sustainability. The city deserves a system that works for everyone, not just for those with the loudest voices or the deepest pockets. Real reform requires scrutinizing Cycle Toronto’s role, reevaluating city leadership, and ensuring future transportation decisions truly serve the broader population.

It’s time for Toronto to reclaim its streets from the grip of special interests and misguided policies. We need a transportation network that serves the majority, not just a select few, and it’s up to City Hall and Transportation Services to deliver this change.

Without a fundamental shift in approach, Toronto will only sink deeper into gridlock. This moment is pivotal — one that will define the city’s transportation future for generations.

— Cody MacRae is the founder of Balance on Bloor, a community group in Toronto’s west end

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