Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria says the provincial government is introducing legislation that would require municipalities to receive provincial approval before removing traffic lanes to install new bike paths.

Ontario’s municipalities say upcoming legislation that would require cities to get provincial approval for some bike lanes is a “significant overreach” of power.

According to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, none of its members was consulted or shown evidence the province is using to justify its proposed veto power over new bike lanes.

The Ontario government says it will introduce legislation that would require municipalities to get provincial approval before building any new bike lanes that reduce lanes of vehicle traffic.Municipalities would need to demonstrate any proposed bike lanes will not have a "negative impact on vehicle traffic,

TORONTO — Ontario cities would have to seek the province’s permission to install new bike lanes that remove lanes of vehicle traffic under upcoming legislation, the transportation minister announced Tuesday.

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe says the city intends to keep investing in cycling infrastructure even as the provincial government brings in new rules to restrict bicycle lanes in what Ontario municipalities complain is a “significant overreach” of provincial power.

Local political leaders are reacting to the Ontario government's announcement that will require municipalities to receive provincial approval before removing traffic lanes to install new bike lanes.

London academics and cycling advocates are puzzled by the province’s commitment to restrict new bike lanes, as city hall anxiously awaits how the legislation will look and work in practice.

Waterloo's mayor says the provincial government has overstepped in making the announcement of potential legislation requiring municipalities to seek provincial approval for new bike lanes.