Memorial bicycle sculpture installed along Etobicoke bike lanes; rally planned Tuesday

A sculpture dedicated to cyclists who lost their lives on Toronto's streets was installed Monday night near Bloor Street West and Islington Avenue. The memorial, made of red stacked bicycles atop a hydro pole, includes plastic skulls, flowers, and a sign honoring the lives lost during the 20-year fight for safe streets. This comes after work crews tried to remove the Etobicoke bike lanes on October 13, only to be halted by cycling advocates.

Throughout the following week, protests occurred as advocates gathered along the bike lane removal site, calling for the reinstatement of the life-saving infrastructure. A rally is planned for Tuesday at Tom Riley Park to commemorate one week since workers were sent home. Despite the protests, nearly two-thirds of Torontonians support bike lane removals on major streets by the province, according to a recent poll.

Four individuals have been arrested for their civil disobedience actions during the protests, including refusing to move while sitting on curb barriers and obstructing workers from carrying out removal tasks. Opinions on the issue remain divided, with some advocating groups stating that the bike lanes are not utilized enough to justify the reduction of traffic lanes.