INTERNATIONAL LIAISON OFFICE — CANADA DESK · DOCKET NO. AAR-INTL-CA
The Winter Bike-Lane Objection
QUARTERLY FIGURES · DOCKET NO. AAR-INTL-CA
PUBLIC SATISFACTION INDEX: 4.6 / 5 — 1,923 RESPONSES ON FILE
PERSONNEL FILE · INTERNATIONAL LIAISON DIVISION
Leading AARBAA's advocacy efforts across Canada, coordinating 38 regional chapters and representing the interests of 6,420 members.
PUBLIC COMMENT RECORD · ENTERED WITHOUT OBJECTION
FEATURED MEMORANDUM · RECORDS DIVISION
FEATURED STORY
Our Canadian team is working with city councillors to balance Toronto's Vision Zero initiative with practical transportation needs of the 87% of commuters who rely on vehicles.
FULL TEXT: FILED UNDER SEPARATE COVER
CASE OUTCOMES · CLOSED FILES
After two years of advocacy, Toronto City Council voted to restore one vehicle lane on Bloor Street West between Avenue Road and Church Street, acknowledging that the bike lane removal of vehicle capacity increased congestion by 34%.
Restored 1.8 km of vehicle lane capacity; reduced peak hour congestion
Successfully lobbied the Quebec Ministry of Transport to conduct the first comprehensive study on winter cycling lane usage vs. maintenance costs. Preliminary results show 89% reduction in usage during winter months.
Policy review initiated; potential CAD $18M in seasonal reallocation
Worked with development industry partners to restore parking minimums for new residential buildings after city eliminated requirements to 'encourage cycling.' Council reversed policy after outcry from residents.
Parking minimums restored for all new developments over 50 units
+2 ADDITIONAL OUTCOMES ON FILE
SCHEDULED PROCEEDINGS · PUBLIC NOTICE
Join transportation experts, city councillors, and AARBAA members to discuss solutions to Toronto's growing gridlock crisis and evaluate the true impact of recent cycling infrastructure investments.
PROCEEDINGS CONCLUDED — MINUTES ON FILE
Discuss the proposed Broadway bike lane expansion and organize our consultation response. Special guest: City Councillor Sarah Chen (invited).
PROCEEDINGS CONCLUDED — MINUTES ON FILE
Manifestation pacifique pour la sécurité routière et l'amélioration de l'infrastructure automobile. / Peaceful rally for road safety and improved automotive infrastructure.
PROCEEDINGS CONCLUDED — MINUTES ON FILE
Special presentation on the inefficiency of year-round cycling infrastructure maintenance in harsh winter climates. Data-driven analysis of cost vs. usage.
PROCEEDINGS CONCLUDED — MINUTES ON FILE
INFRASTRUCTURE CASE FILES · OPEN MATTERS
The proposed Yonge Street bike lanes from Finch to Queen would remove critical vehicle capacity on Toronto's main arterial corridor. Traffic modeling shows potential 40-minute increases to commute times.
The expansion of Rue Saint-Denis into a 'cycling superhighway' has eliminated delivery vehicle access, devastating local businesses. 47 businesses have closed in the past 18 months.
The Burrard Bridge dedicated two lanes to cycling while leaving only one lane each direction for vehicles. This iconic bridge now experiences perpetual congestion while bike lanes are frequently empty.
The segregated bike lane design has created dangerous delays for emergency vehicles responding to incidents in the downtown core. Average ambulance response time increased by 3.7 minutes.
PUBLIC COUNTER · RESPONSES PREPARED IN ADVANCE
The Canadian Automobile Association focuses on member services like insurance and roadside assistance. AARBAA Canada specifically advocates for policy changes that protect motorists' interests in urban planning and transportation infrastructure decisions. We work at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels.
One of our key advocacy points is the waste of taxpayer dollars maintaining cycling infrastructure year-round in climates where cycling is impractical 5-6 months of the year. We propose seasonal cycling lanes that can be converted to vehicle parking or traffic lanes during winter months.
We maintain active relationships with transportation ministries in all provinces. We've been particularly successful in Alberta and Saskatchewan, where provincial governments have been receptive to our data-driven approach to balancing transportation needs.
Absolument! Our Quebec chapters operate fully in French, and all national communications are available in both official languages. Regional Director Bob MacKenzie is fluently bilingual.
While much cycling infrastructure debate focuses on major cities, we also advocate for rural road safety. Many rural highways are seeing dangerous cycling traffic without proper shoulders or separation. We work to ensure rural road funding isn't diverted to urban cycling projects.
PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDS · EVIDENCE LOCKER
FILE A REQUEST · FORM AAR-101
Be part of our growing movement of 6,420 members across38 chapters in Canada. Together, we're advocating for balanced transportation policy and motorists' rights.
INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE IS ROUTED VIA THE NEAREST U.S. FIELD OFFICE
FORM AAR-101 — REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE
REV. 07/2026 · APPROVED FOR PUBLIC USE · FILE IN DUPLICATE
CROSS-REFERENCES · RECORDS RETENTION SCHEDULE 7
PUBLIC COMMENT RECORD · 3 ENTRIES ON FILE
CASE NO. AAR-C-0001
Sandra Kowalski — Toronto
CASE NO. AAR-C-0002
Jean-Pierre Rousseau — Montreal
CASE NO. AAR-C-0003
David Chen — Vancouver