Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe Applauds New Ontario Law: “Bike Lanes Are for Sundays, Roads Are for Suburbs”

OTTAWA – Mayor Mark Sutcliffe announced today that the city will eagerly embrace Ontario’s new legislation allowing municipalities to bypass environmental assessments when removing bike lanes, calling it a “game-changer” for Ottawa’s future.

“This new law finally gives us the flexibility we need to do what’s best for Ottawa: ensuring smooth, uninterrupted driving,” said Sutcliffe. “With fewer bike lanes cluttering up our streets, we can now focus on the real priority—widening suburban roads to meet the growing demand for bigger homes, bigger driveways, and, of course, bigger SUVs.”  

Sutcliffe laid out plans to redirect funds originally earmarked for bike lanes toward expanding suburban arteries, including major roads in Barrhaven, Kanata, and Orleans. “It’s about meeting people where they live,” Sutcliffe explained. “And where they live is in the suburbs, behind the wheel of a crossover.”  

The mayor reassured drivers that Ottawa will continue its commitment to “peaceful coexistence” between bikes and cars—by keeping them as far apart as possible. “Cyclists already have *Sundays*, folks. Every week, for a few glorious hours, they get to ride on city streets without a single car in sight. We’ve found the perfect compromise: Bikes get Sundays, and cars get the other 166 hours of the week.”

When pressed on whether removing bike lanes conflicts with the city’s climate goals, Sutcliffe remained optimistic. “It’s about being efficient. Why should we spend money on bike lanes people will only use six months a year when we could spend it widening suburban roads, which are useful year-round?” He went on to call it “fiscally responsible and environmentally forward-thinking,” noting that with fewer bike lanes to maintain, the city would “technically reduce the asphalt footprint.”  

Asked if Ottawa should be investing more in active transportation, Sutcliffe chuckled. “Let’s be real here, people aren't going to go to their kid's to hockey game on a bike in February.”  

The mayor ended his speech with a promise: “We won’t declare a war on cars. In fact, we’ll show them the love they deserve by building even more space for them—because nothing says peace like a freshly widened road in a cul-de-sac community.”  

City officials confirmed the first set of projects will begin next spring, with the accelerated realignment of Greenbank Road in Barrhaven, and the addition of two more lanes on Terry Fox Drive in Kanata. “The future of Ottawa’s transportation is clear,” Sutcliffe declared. “Fewer bike lanes, wider roads, and no more cyclists slowing down your morning Tim Hortons run. It’s progress we can all get behind... from the comfort of our vehicles.”  

As he left the podium, Sutcliffe invited any concerned cyclists to “enjoy the bike lanes while they last” and reminded them that Sunday Bike Days will still be available—“weather permitting, of course.”

Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada

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