Things are definitely escalating…quickly, in the ongoing bike lane removal protests in Toronto. But there may be some good news on the horizon, according to Cycle Toronto.

Cops say more arrests could follow as protests continue over the province’s removal of bike lanes, with crews finishing work on a stretch of Bloor Street West. So far there have been four arrests, but there may be more.

Demonstrators returned Wednesday for a second night of milling and paving along the roughly one-kilometre section between Islington and Royal York roads. A peaceful die-in took place in front of the “Blood Bikes” sculpture before officers moved participants along.

The police weigh in

Police say they recognize that people have differing views on the work, but warned that demonstrations cannot interfere with construction or police duties.

“The right to protest does not extend to unlawfully obstructing work, damaging property or interfering with police officers in the execution of their duties,” the TPS said in a statement on X. “Anyone who engages in criminal activity can expect to be arrested.”

Statement on Bike Lane Demonstrations https://t.co/JjJdFOM76t

— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) October 21, 2026

Cycle Toronto, meanwhile, criticized the police response and the province’s decision to remove the infrastructure. As the group has from Day 1, it said the bike lanes as life-saving. Any cyclist knows that riding on separate bike lanes is clutch when it comes to preventing a motorist from veering into a rider’s space.

The lane reconstruction

Cycle Toronto said the remaining physical infrastructure on the section of Bloor has now been removed. Crews are expected to restripe the road in the coming days, restoring space for motor traffic. But, the advocacy group also said to try and stay positive. This ain’t over.

The group also urged supporters to pause organized protests while road work continues, saying the past 10 days had been an intense period of demonstrations.

What’s next in the bike lane battle

There is still a larger fight ahead. According to Cycle Toronto, about 18 kilometres of bike lanes targeted by the province remain in place. Work to remove those lanes is not expected to begin before spring 2027, pending requests for proposal. This whole damn thing began almost two years ago, after Premier Doug Ford’s government passed legislation that removed power from municipalities when it comes to creating bike lanes, and especially removing car lanes. It also included some pretty darn specific plans to remove lanes from busy sections in downtown Toronto.

Then, there was a Charter challenge–won by the cycling advocacy groups–which was ultimately turned over earlier this summer. That set up this new chapter, with the 1.2-km section now set to be removed in the western part of the city. And for over a week, protests have shown that cyclists are not backing down when it comes to removing critical cycling infrastructure.

The legal battle

Meanwhile, Cycle Toronto has asked the Supreme Court of Canada to hear its case challenging the province’s bike lane legislation and said it expects an update before any further removal work takes place. It’s unclear if the upper court will hear it–that’s a big ole TBD>

For now, the remaining sections of Bloor Street, Yonge Street and University Avenue are safe from removal, Cycle Toronto said. (Fingers crossed.)

The group says it plans to regroup while awaiting the next legal developments. Whether the removal of the lanes will improve traffic, as the province intends, remains to be seen.