What vehicles are allowed in bike lanes? In Toronto, there is no one answer

CBC

a day ago

Toronto needs a single set of rules for bike lanes in the city, a council committee decided on Wednesday.
The infrastructure and environment committee passed a motion that directs city staff to report back in the first quarter of 2026 with recommendations to create a "harmonized" set of rules outlining which vehicles can be used in Toronto bike lanes.
Coun. Dianne Saxe, who represents Ward 11, University-Rosedale, said she moved the motion because there is confusion about what kind of vehicles can use the bike lanes and what exactly the rules are.
Saxe said in some cases, the bike lanes are elevated, while in others, they are painted, and in still others, there are bollards separating them from the road. Some are called cycle tracks and some are not.
Vehicles that don't move by pedals should not be allowed in bike lanes, she added.
"We need a clear simple straightforward rule, that a nine-year-old can explain, and with that we then have an opportunity to do the kind of education, then followed by enforcement, that has a chance to make a difference," Saxe told the committee.
Rules 'extremely confusing to the public,' councillor says
In a letter to the committee, Saxe said the city's municipal code has different rules governing which vehicles can use bike lanes in Toronto, depending on whether the lane is called a "cycle track." She said some heavy motorized vehicles, which can be moved without pedalling, are allowed on painted bike lanes but not on cycle tracks.
"This distinction is extremely confusing to the public and virtually impossible to enforce. It contributes to the plague of mopeds and other motorized vehicles bombing down bike lanes, which endanger the safety of all other road users. The City should have consistent rules for which vehicles can be used in all bike lanes," Saxe said in the letter.
In an interview later, Saxe said there is public anger about the dangers created by the mopeds — "big heavy fast motorized vehicles" with "pretend pedals on them."
"They're dangerous to cyclists. They're dangerous to pedestrians. They don't follow the rules of the road. They don't belong there, but because the rules are confusing, the gig workers don't really clearly understand that what they're doing is illegal and dangerous. And that needs to be clear."
Coun. Paula Fletcher, who represents Ward 14, Toronto-Danforth, said she supported the motion because new rules would clarify the definition of a motorized vehicle for city purposes.
'Not everything is black and white,' wheelchair user says
Resident Oda Al-anizi said city staff should consider allowing a device called front power assist, an attachment for wheelchairs, when they make recommendations. He said it is "becoming a popular category for wheelchair users, for us to get around." Not allowing them in bike lanes would be a challenge for his safety, he said.
"My understanding is technically it's not allowed, it's not legal because there's three wheels and not two," Al-anizi said.
Al-anizi said later he's looking for "some clarifications, some acknowledgement of different categories like people with mobility issues because not everything is black and white." He said better signage and more repairs made to pot holes would improve road safety.
Michael Longfield, executive director of Cycle Toronto, reminded the committee to stay focused on the fact that cars and trucks are the biggest threat to pedestrians and cyclists on Toronto streets. He said there is a difference between frustration and safety.
"Definitely agree that a lot of these vehicles can feel very frustrating and lead to a lot of anger on our roads, but unfortunately, at the end of the day, people are being killed on our roads because of collisions with drivers and automobiles," Longfield said.