Bike lanes divide Chow and Bradford voters, Nanos poll finds
A Nanos Research survey conducted for CP24 and CTV News found that 74 per cent of Chow voters support bike lane expansion while 74 per cent of Bradford voters oppose it, with traffic congestion the top transportation concern for all Toronto voters.
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Bike lane expansion splits Toronto's two leading mayoral candidates' supporters almost exactly in half, according to a Nanos Research poll published by CTV News and CP24 on October 15.
The poll, conducted between October 8 and October 10 among 757 randomly selected Toronto residents, found that 74 per cent of Olivia Chow voters backed bike lane expansion. Among Brad Bradford voters, 74 per cent opposed it, Nanos Research chief data scientist Nik Nanos said in a statement. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Traffic and transit top the list
For all Toronto voters, traffic congestion was the biggest transportation concern, named by 46 per cent of respondents. That view was shared by supporters of both candidates and across every borough, gender, and age group surveyed. TTC reliability came second at 19 per cent. In Scarborough, about 23 per cent of respondents named transit, the highest share of any borough.
Nine per cent of all respondents said too many bike lanes and paths was a concern, making it the third-biggest transportation problem. Eight per cent said there were too few.
What each candidate has said
Chow, as mayor, continued to expand Toronto's cycling network. Under a 2024 provincial law that barred municipalities from removing traffic lanes to add bike lanes without provincial approval, she narrowed some existing lanes rather than remove them.
Bradford has promised to remove the bike lanes on Bloor Street West between South Kingsway and Resurrection Road and redirect cycling to side streets. In Scarborough, he pledged to remove some bus-priority lanes he described as redundant and convert some to high-occupancy vehicle lanes.
Investment priorities
When asked who should have the final say on bike lane placement, 45 per cent of respondents said transportation experts and city staff, 29 per cent said Toronto City Council, and 13 per cent said the Province of Ontario.
On investment priorities, Chow voters ranked TTC improvements first at 32 per cent. Bradford voters ranked congestion relief first at 37 per cent. Across all respondents, congestion reduction led at 32 per cent, followed by TTC improvements at 26 per cent, subway expansion at 14 per cent, and road repairs at 10 per cent.
Voters in Toronto choose their mayor and city councillors on Election Day, Monday October 26, 2026. Polls open at 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Find your voting place at toronto.ca/Elections. See all mayoral candidates at /on/toronto-2026/candidates#mayor.
Questions this story answers
What did the Nanos Research poll find about bike lanes and the Toronto mayoral race?
CTV News and CP24 published results on October 15, 2026 from a Nanos Research survey of 757 Toronto residents conducted between October 8 and 10. The poll found that 74 per cent of Olivia Chow voters backed bike lane expansion in Toronto, while 74 per cent of Brad Bradford voters opposed it. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.6 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. See the candidates at /on/toronto-2026/candidates#mayor.
What is the top transportation concern among Toronto voters in the 2026 election?
Nanos Research asked 757 Toronto residents about transportation in a survey conducted October 8 to 10, 2026 for CP24 and CTV News. Traffic congestion came first at 46 per cent, a concern shared across supporters of both leading candidates, across all boroughs, and across age and gender. TTC reliability came second at 19 per cent. Nine per cent of all respondents said too many bike lanes and paths was a concern, while eight per cent said there were too few.
What has Olivia Chow done about bike lanes as mayor, and what has she promised?
CTV News reported on October 15, 2026 that Olivia Chow, as mayor, continued to expand Toronto's cycling network. Her approach under a 2024 provincial law, which barred municipalities from removing traffic lanes to add bike lanes without provincial approval, was to narrow some existing traffic lanes rather than remove them. Her profile is at /on/toronto-2026/candidates/olivia-chow.
What has Brad Bradford promised about bike lanes?
CTV News reported on October 15, 2026 that Brad Bradford promised to remove bike lanes on Bloor Street West between South Kingsway and Resurrection Road, and redirect cycling to other residential streets and side roads. In Scarborough, Bradford also pledged to remove some bus-priority lanes he described as redundant and convert some to high-occupancy vehicle lanes. His profile is at /on/toronto-2026/candidates/brad-bradford.
Who do Toronto voters think should decide on bike lane placement?
Nanos Research asked 757 Toronto residents in a survey conducted October 8 to 10, 2026 who should have the final say on bike lane installation in Toronto. A plurality, 45 per cent, said transportation experts and city staff. Twenty-nine per cent said it should be Toronto City Council, and 13 per cent said the Province of Ontario. The poll was conducted for CP24 and CTV News Toronto.
How did Bradford and Chow voters differ on TTC investment?
The Nanos Research poll, conducted October 8 to 10 among 757 Toronto residents, found that Olivia Chow voters ranked TTC investment as their top transportation priority at 32 per cent. Brad Bradford voters ranked congestion relief first at 37 per cent. For all respondents, congestion reduction led at 32 per cent, followed by TTC improvements at 26 per cent, subway expansion at 14 per cent, and road repairs at 10 per cent.
What is happening to bike lanes on Bloor Street West right now?
CTV News reported on October 15, 2026 that the Province of Ontario began removing bike lanes on a stretch of Bloor Street West in Etobicoke on Tuesday, October 13. That removal was authorized by Ontario's Court of Appeal in August, which ruled it was not a Charter violation. Protesters blocked work briefly, but removal resumed on Wednesday. Two people were arrested at a demonstration. A legal challenge asking the Supreme Court of Canada to weigh in is still pending.
When do Toronto voters go to the polls?
Toronto municipal election day is Monday, October 26, 2026. Polls are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Advance voting closed on October 11. Find your voting place at toronto.ca/Elections or on your Voter Information Card. See all candidates at /on/toronto-2026/candidates.
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