City\u2019s snow-removal efforts are giving cyclists cold comfort their safety is being prioritized<\/p>\n
Published Feb 01, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 2 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Cyclists have spoken: The city\u2019s snow-removal efforts are giving cold comfort that their safety is top of mind.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n A week after Toronto endured a record-breaking snowstorm that dumped more than a half-metre of the white stuff in some neighbourhoods, bike riders are speaking up about how hard it is to navigate streets across the city.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The status of the city\u2019s bike lanes has led one cycling advocate to write to Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow in an effort to have the situation rectified.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are now five days out from this storm and nearly all bike lanes remain completely blocked,\u201d lawyer Dave Shellnutt said in a letter on his website dated Friday<\/a>. \u201cNot 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.<\/p>\n \u201cOur huge network of city infrastructure has been rendered useless and transportation options for many remain limited.\u201d<\/p>\n City recovering from record snowstorm<\/p>\n A record 46 cm of snow fell Jan. 25 at Pearson International Airport<\/a>, while some areas of the city \u2014 Toronto city centre and south Scarborough \u2014 saw 60 cm or more hit the ground.<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The city\u2019s major snowstorm provisions, however, have meant crews this weekend were prioritizing snow removal from residential streets, highway ramps, bridge decks and hospital routes.<\/a><\/p>\n But Shellnutt said that has \u201cseriously impacted\u201d cycling commuters and volunteer operations like the Toronto Bike Brigade, which delivers essentials from food banks to people in need.<\/p>\n \u201cOur riders are out nearly 365 days a year in all weather and all temperatures,\u201d he said. \u201cHowever, without bike lanes separating us from motorists on slippery city streets, many of our riders do not feel comfortable or safe out there.\u201d<\/p>\n Karan Singh, who uses his bike to deliver food for Uber, echoed those comments to The Canadian Press, saying it is \u201cvery scary\u201d for cyclists on the road right now as most bike lanes are impassible.<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED VIDEO We apologize, but this video has failed to load.<\/p>\n Play VideoAdvocate wants plan on \u2018usable\u2019 lanes<\/p>\n Cycle Toronto executive director Michael Longfield is asking for the city to communicate a clear plan to riders as a result.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cI think there\u2019s been a lot of patience and a lot of understanding that this was a major snow event,\u201d Longfield said, via CP. \u201cBut I think at this point folks are starting to wonder what\u2019s the plan?<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been a week and we don\u2019t really have any clarity on when these bikeways will be clear and usable.\u201d<\/p>\n The city told The Canadian Press on Sunday that it had received hundreds of calls about bike lane maintenance over the last week, but could not provide a specific timeline for when all bikeways would be cleared.<\/p>\n \u201cDuring prolonged or heavy snowfall, crews often need to return multiple times to maintain safe conditions as bike lanes can become re\u2011covered by snow after being cleared due to passing traffic, blowing snow or nearby road-plowing operations,\u201d the city said, according to CP.<\/p>\n \u2014 With files from The Canadian Press.<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Ontario moving ahead with Toronto compromise on bike lanes despite appeal<\/p>\n![\"Bike](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/CP175714436-scaled-e1769996323382.jpg\")
Bike lanes running along Bloor St. remain blocked on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, in Toronto, a week after the city received a historic dump of snow. Photo by Kathryn Mannie \/THE CANADIAN PRESSArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.4.0\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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