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This new feature — ‘Closer Look’ — is a chance to hear directly from those dedicated reporters and editors.
Every night, Village Media’s Scott Sexsmith sits down with one of our journalists to explore an important story they are covering. These in-depth conversations go beyond the headlines, helping viewers better understand how we gather the details that land in your local news feed.
On tonight’s episode of ‘Closer Look’: Pedalling toward a day in court.
Last month, the Ford government passed legislation that allows the province to block municipalities from creating new bike lanes that would overtake a vehicle lane. Bill 212 also gives Queen's Park the power to rip out existing bike lanes — including three in Toronto.
The Conservative government is adamant that bike lanes increase traffic congestion, but a draft of a briefing document prepared for Ontario cabinet ministers — and obtained by The Trillium — warns that the opposite is true.
Work to remove the Toronto bike lanes will not begin until at least March. In the meantime, the charity Toronto Cycle has filed a Charter challenge of the new law, arguing it violates cyclists' right to life, liberty and security of the person.
If the lanes are removed, they argue, “many thousands of Toronto cyclists will be forced to cycle in lanes shared with motor vehicle traffic” resulting in “heightened risk of injury and death."
SEE: Cycling charity files legal challenge against Toronto bike lane removals
TorontoToday reporter Aidan Chamandy and Jack Hauen of The Trillium have been leading our coverage of the ongoing story. You can read some of their previous articles HERE, HERE and HERE.
Chamandy joins us tonight to bring you up to speed on the latest details.
Stay tuned for more episodes of ‘Closer Look’ every weeknight at 7 p.m. You can find all our previous segments HERE.
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