HORCSOK: Time to question cycle lobby’s misleading data

Article content

Toronto’s cycling lobby, led by groups like the Toronto Community Bikeways Coalition (TCBC), claims a surge in bike lane usage, backing their argument with statistics that paint a picture of soaring ridership.

However, a deeper look reveals a troubling trend — these numbers are often cherry-picked to support an agenda rather than reflect reality.

At Balance on Bloor, we believe street planning should be based on facts, not fiction. Our community group has tracked bike lane usage along Bloor Street West for a year, and the truth is damning: While we support well-planned bike lanes, the data presented by cycling advocates simply doesn’t hold up.

Using verified video footage, we conducted a 24-hour count on Sept. 18, a date prominently cited in a recent CBC article claiming an “80% increase” in cyclists at Royal York Road and “over 500” at Islington Avenue. In stark contrast, our cameras recorded only 414 cyclists, including e-bikes.

The CBC report curiously avoids publishing exact numbers for Sept. 18, relying on percentages and generalities that are harder to scrutinize and easier to manipulate. This is no coincidence, as they know groups like ours now have the capability to challenge their claims with hard evidence. It’s clear why they’ve switched to using percentages — it allows them to engage in statistical obfuscation and shield their narrative.

This isn’t an isolated case of inflated data. On May 23, TCBC claimed that 658 cyclists used the Bloor bike lanes at Royal York. Our footage recorded only 517 — a 27% overstatement. If we accept their figure from the previous year (497 cyclists), this reveals only a modest 4% increase, not the 40% spike they claimed. Extract e-bikes and scooters, and there’s no increase at all. Even on that perfect spring day, the bike lanes accounted for less than 0.5% of total road traffic. Does this match their narrative of a cycling revolution?

The real concern isn’t just cherry-picked data from ideal days — it’s the disturbing pattern that unfolds. Cycling advocates often focus on peak, sunny days to bolster their agenda, while bike lanes remain in place year-round. Our 24-hour footage from Jan. 14 starkly illustrates this issue: Only 9 cyclists were recorded, yet an astonishing 10 snow plows cleared the lanes. Where is the data for those colder, quieter days when ridership significantly decreases? These lanes continue to disrupt traffic and harm businesses and residents all year, regardless of the strikingly low number of cyclists.

We have year-round data, not just from a few favourable days. We’re calling on the city to provide realistic annual and monthly averages — figures that capture the full picture of bike lane usage. The public deserves transparency, and policymakers should avoid relying on selective data that distorts the truth. And if there’s any question about the numbers, we have the footage to back up our claims.

Our data isn’t just a way to nitpick daily counts — it’s a safeguard against misleading statistics that drive bad public policy. The bigger question is this: Does anyone really trust the data that bike lane lobbyists present? We don’t, and we challenge the city and these groups to release full, comprehensive, year-round data so the public can decide for themselves.

What’s even more concerning is that no such year-round data was ever used in developing the citywide cycling plan. It wasn’t presented during so-called “public consultations” about extending bike lanes into our neighbourhoods, nor has it been included in any post-installation assessments. A reasonable, transparent planning process would have considered year-round figures from the start — during planning, public input and evaluations. Ignoring data is a major oversight.

Accurate data is essential for both current decision-making and future bike lane planning. By analyzing year-round usage patterns, planners can allocate resources effectively and design lanes that truly meet the needs of all road users, resulting in safer transportation options for everyone.

We support logical bike lanes based on actual year-round usage, but we reject those that are underused, increase congestion, endanger pedestrians, and harm businesses — especially when distorted statistics push a narrow agenda that ultimately hurts everyone, including cyclists.

Enough is enough. The city, its head of transportation services Barbara Gray, and cycling groups must stop obscuring the truth with selective data. We demand full transparency and integrity in reporting. Let’s see the complete picture — 365 days of data, including seasonal and time-of-day details — so Torontonians can make informed decisions about our streets.

Only by confronting reality can we build a transportation system that genuinely serves the needs of our community, not just a vocal minority.

— Zoltan Horcsok is with Balance on Bloor, a community group in Toronto’s west end