Participants at a rally against Bill 60 provision regarding bike lanes listen to a speaker.

Community groups rally to oppose Bill 60 anti bike lane provision

Posted on by Bike Ottawa in #ottbike, Advocacy, Community, News

Doug Ford is exhausting. He throws in an omnibus bill random ideas not remotely based in data and research, local reality and expertise, hopes no one is paying attention and his BS sticks. But people are paying attention and they’re fighting back.

Florence Lehmann from Bike Ottawa addressing the Bill 60 rally. She’s holding a sign that reads: hands off my city and touche pas à ma ville.
Councillor Ariel Troster addressing the Bill 60 rally. People and their bikes can be seen in the foreground and to the left.
Former MPP Joel Harden addressing the Bill 60 rally. A person is listening in the foreground.
Christina Bouchard addressing the Bill 60 rally. She’s surrounded by bikes.
William van Geest, executive director of Ecology Ottawa, addressing the Bill 60 rally. Two people can be seen in the foreground listening to him.
Chris Hircock from School Streets Ottawa addressing the Bill 60 rally. He’s leading a chant. People are seen in the foreground.
Etienne Lefebvre from Strong Towns Ottawa addressing the Bill 60 rally. People listening to him in the foreground.
Two of the speakers and a councillor laughing together at the Bill 60 rally. People and bikes can be seen in the background.

Yesterday, Bike Ottawa and our local partner organizations rallied to oppose the provision of Bill 60 that would ban the building of new bike lanes if it means the removal of lanes of motorized traffic. It was both comforting and energizing to be together.

1, 2, 3,4 This dumb bill has got to go
5, 6, 7, 8 Premier Ford stay in your lane

Bikes around people attending the Bill 60 rally, seen at bike level.
People and their bikes at the Bill 60 rally, as seen from the side. They’re listening to a speaker on the right.
People attending the Bill 60 rally with their bikes
People listening to a speaker at the Bill 60 rally as seen from the back. Ottawa city hall in the background
Crowd listening to a speaker at the bill 60 rally. Some are with their bikes.
Crowd listening to a speaker at the bill 60 rally. Some are with their bikes.
Crowd listening to a speaker at the Bill 60 rally. There’s a blurry bike in the foreground.
Participants at a rally against Bill 60 provision regarding bike lanes listen to a speaker.

Here’s some media coverage on our rally:

Ottawa cyclists, advocates protest bike lane changes in controversial bill

Des cyclistes ottaviens contre Doug Ford

Une loi omnibus qui empiète sur l’aménagement de pistes cyclables

Keep on fighting. Sign the petition to reverse the ban of speed cameras. Send the Premier, Minister Sarkaria and your MPP letter to oppose this ill-conceived bill. Call the Premier (647-612-3673). Yes, he answers his cell phone. Hell! Go protest in front of your MPP’s constituency office. 

As Chris Hircock from School Streets Ottawa said, “public outcry has had Ford walk back other bone-headed ideas in the past. Let’s have him undo Bill 60 like all of his other ill-conceived decrees.”

Thank you to our speakers for contributing meaningfully to the discussion yesterday: Florence Lehmann from Bike Ottawa, councillor Ariel Troster, former MPP Joel Harden, Christina Bouchard, governance professor, William van Geest, executive director of Ecology Ottawa (and board member of Bike Ottawa), Chris Hircock from School Streets Ottawa, and Étienne Lefebvre, board member of Strong Towns Ottawa. And thanks also to Four Our Kids Ottawa-Gatineau, Horizon Ottawa, Kidical Mass Ottawa and the Biking Lawyer for their support.

Pictures: Erik Stolpmann