Letter to Mayor Chow re: Snowy Bike Lanes
- Dave Shellnutt
- 20 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Dave Shellnutt
800.725.0754
dave@thebikinglawyer.ca
www.thebikinglawyer.ca
January 30, 2026
Mayor O. Chow
Office of the Mayor
100 Queen St. W.
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
RE: Snowy Bike Lanes
On Sunday January 25, 2026, the City of Toronto experienced a significant weather event. More snow fell on our City than any time in recent memory. Neighbours joined forces to dig each other out. City Services worked around the clock to ensure roadways and sidewalks were free from snow. Indeed, many possible catastrophes were avoided thanks to the hard work of so many.
That said, we are now 5 days out from this storm and nearly all bike lanes remain completely blocked. Not just with snow piled up at the entrances and exits to the bike lanes, but with a foot and a half of snow and ice throughout. Our huge network of City infrastructure has been rendered useless and transportation options for many remain limited.
Until today, I was forced to drive my child to daycare a couple of blocks from my house as it was unsafe and impossible to ride a bicycle with her (we use cycling infrastructure to get to daycare).
Aside from not being able to commute by bicycle, volunteer operations at Toronto's Bike Brigade have been seriously impacted.
The Toronto Bike Brigade delivers food and essentials from foodbanks (and other community orgs) to people in need, many with mobility issues. We were formed in the early days of the pandemic and last year made 8,650 deliveries of food by bike for 26 partner organizations.
Our riders are out nearly 365 days a year in all weather and all temperatures. However, without bike lanes separating us from motorists on slippery city streets, many of our riders do not feel comfortable or safe out there. We've seen a reduction in our volunteers, impacting our partners and their clients from getting food and necessities during a snow storm that on its own impedes (or eliminates) their often limited mobility.
That said, with a healthy dose of fear, I did go out to help deliver some of the outstanding orders. I rode along Bloor in the middle of the lane used by motorists, contributing to traffic.
In doing so, I noticed that a lot of the people on bikes still riding (in the middle of the car traffic lanes) were working cyclists delivering for profit food orders. Now, we know there are prejudices against these (mostly racialized young men) cyclists, and so their safety likely does not factor into decisions to clear bike lanes. But it should. They are delivering food to homes across Toronto, providing a vital service for many who want to stay home and safe during this Significant Weather Event.
We understand that the Significant Weather Event declaration remains in effect, and as a result the City is not obligated to keep bike lanes clear pursuant to the Minimum Maintenance Standards. However, the wording of O.Reg 612/06 for the City of Toronto is telling. If the City deems it practicable to devote resources to clearing bike lanes, they can and will. In not doing so it appears that it's not just D-list politicians like Brad Bradford who think bike lanes should be last on the list of infrastructure cleared of snow (thanks Lanrick).
O.Reg 612/06:
Snow accumulation on bicycle lanes, significant weather event
4.3 (1) If the City declares a significant weather event relating to snow accumulation, the standard for addressing snow accumulation on bicycle lanes until the declaration of the end of the significant weather event is,
(a) to monitor the weather in accordance with section 3.1; and
(b) if deemed practicable by the City, to deploy resources to address snow accumulation on bicycle lanes, starting from the time that the City deems appropriate to do so. O. Reg. 367/18, s. 6.
(2) If the City complies with subsection (1), all bicycle lanes within the City are deemed to be in a state of repair with respect to snow accumulation until the applicable time in the Table to section 4.2 expires following the declaration of the end of the significant weather event by the City. O. Reg. 367/18, s. 6.
(3) Following the end of the weather hazard in respect of which a significant weather event was declared by the City under subsection (1), the City shall,
(a) declare the end of the significant weather event when the City determines it is appropriate to do so; and
(b) address snow accumulation on bicycle lanes in accordance with section 4.2. O. Reg. 367/18, s. 6.
By not clearing bike lanes in Toronto, the City is sending a message to people who ride bikes that their safety is not a concern. That their chosen/required method of transportation is not important. That they are of lessor concern than every other person (notably a page out of Doug Ford's book).
It does not have to be that way. Today, I noticed the one bike lane in the City free of snow happens to be on our route to daycare, and so we rode our bike (thanks Councillor Bravo and 311).
If you clean them, we will ride.
My office would be happy to discuss any of the above with you at your request.
Kind Regards,
Dave Shellnutt
Lawyer & Advocate
cc 311, Cycling and Pedestrian Office, news media and community partners.