Ruling a victory

Justice Paul Schabas’s recent decision, striking down provincial legislation that would have allowed removal of protected bike lanes in Toronto, is a landmark moment for road safety and constitutional rights. The court ruled it violated Section 7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The evidence was clear: removing bike lanes would not reduce traffic congestion, but would increase the risk of injury or death to cyclists and pedestrians. Government witnesses provided little data to justify their approach, while expert testimony showed protected lanes cut injuries in half and make streets safer for everyone.

This ruling doesn’t create a constitutional right to bike lanes, but it does set a crucial precedent: governments cannot make infrastructure decisions that endanger

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