Good news, bike fans! Guelph will resume winter maintenance of its bike lanes immediately after Mayor Cam Guthrie used strong mayor powers to amend the city’s 2026 and future budgets. This reversed a decision that would have closed lanes until April.
The original cut — aimed at saving $650,000 — sparked swift backlash from cyclists and some councillors, culminating in a protest ride Monday night that drew people through downtown streets .
After a break during Tuesday’s council meeting, Guthrie announced the mayoral order had already been signed. “Which means it’s done — you have the bike lanes back maintained starting today,” he told the CBC.
Guthrie said he heard from both councillors and residents who were alarmed by the safety implications of closing lanes during winter months.
He added that while he was reluctant to use the expanded powers. That was enough councillors asked him to reconsider that he felt there was broad consensus to act.
Looking forward
As part of the amendment, the city’s operating budget increases by $650,000. About $300,000 will come from an environment and utility contingency reserve, with the remainder offset by delaying the addition of two bylaw officers. That will reduce contributions to a reserve fund and trimming capital spending on select projects .
Local bike shop co-owner Tim Plunkett, who helped organize Monday’s ride, said the initial decision felt like a betrayal of long-standing city commitments to year-round cycling access. “To single it out and cut it. It seemed like a cheap political stunt,” he said.
Coun. Phil Allt called the reversal welcome news, describing the issue as “a safety issue that regrettably became a challenge at budget time,” adding that many residents would appreciate the move.
Advocacy works
The reversal follows mounting criticism of a decision approved at a special council meeting on Nov. 26 that would have closed all painted, curb-protected and boulevard cycle tracks each winter by bylaw. That meant no snow or ice clearing until spring. Cycling advocates argued the move went beyond biking, warning snow buildup in lanes could block storm drains. That could disrupt garbage collection, reduce access to transit stops and eliminate on-street parking in some neighbourhoods.
“Forcing cyclists out of bike lanes and into motor vehicle traffic in winter conditions will increase conflict. And the likelihood of serious injury,” David Shellnutt said, a.k.a. The Biking Lawyer.