Things are getting heated at the ongoing Toronto bike lane protests. Now, there’s a plan to get some financial backup. A new fundraiser aims to help demonstrators who have been out protesting every day and night. Some of them may be facing legal costs, or dealing with damaged rides–plus it’s to help those stay fuelled while spending hours on the streets watching the removal of protected cycling infrastructure.
The fundraiser was launched by David Shellnutt, The Biking Lawyer, who has been a key figure in the protests. The demonstrations have now been going on for over a week. The protests have caused delays to the removals–but there have also been four arrests made in all of this.
The ongoing bike lane protests
The fundraiser comes amid ongoing demonstrations against Ontario’s bike lane removals. Protests have involved the standoff on Bloor Street West in Etobicoke, where cyclists and advocates gathered as crews attempted to carry out removal work. On multiple occasions, as the demonstrations went late into the night, crews left without finishing the job. But the battle is ongoing and it’s unclear what is next. It’s also unclear if the lane removal will include key sections on Yonge Street, University Avenue and Bloor in the core.
They have been targeted since this whole thing began almost two years ago. In November 2024, Premier Doug Ford launched legislation that removed power from municipalities when it came to installing bike lanes over car lanes. It also specifically mentioned that trio of bike lanes which are popular in the downtown area.
Organizers say the funds will be distributed to people who need support. There is oversight from groups including The Biking Lawyer LLP and Friends and Families for Safe Streets.
Where the money will go
The Biking Lawyer LLP will coordinate legal services and connect people with criminal lawyers, according to the fundraiser. The firm says its own practice focuses on injury law, so funds will not be used internally.
The campaign is simply looking to cover some of the costs of staying out there, to continue the fight for safe cycling infrastructure. A recent sculpture that went up Monday remembered the 32 people who have been killed on Bloor, Yonge and University streets before the bike lanes were installed. If they come down, many fear that there will be more fatal collisions.
As of Thursday, it’s 83 per cent funded. Just under 400 people have donated, with $28,837 raised of $35K. If you’d like to donate, you can visit the GoFundMe link.
If you’d like to get involved, including signing a petition from Cycle Toronto, one of the key groups involved in these protests since Day 1, you can visit its site. To learn more about demonstrations, check out the Toronto Critical Mass or Cycling in Toronto Facebook pages.