There was a pro-car protest in Toronto’s High Park and it was obviously absolute chaos

High Park, the sprawling green expanse in Toronto that has become a stage for confrontations between motorists and advocates of car-free spaces, witnessed another absurd incident on Wednesday. Motorists gathered to protest recent city-enforced changes, which came into effect this week.

Former elite cyclist assaulted by motorist in hit and run in High Park

While the park has been off-limits to cars on the weekends since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, certain sections of the road are going to be entirely vehicle-free during the week. Additionally, only the entrances at Parkside Drive and High Park Boulevard will be open during the week, with closures on weekends. The city has also removed some parking spots and designated areas for pick-up, drop-off, and introduced new bike lanes.

There was a pro car protest at #HighPark yesterday. It went as expected… Road violence & threats of physical force against VRUs. Another day in the life for us, another example of why we need a car free High Park @JohnTory @TorontoPolice stoked this madness #BikeTO 1/2 pic.twitter.com/1XwCW6pCl2

— The Biking Lawyer (Dave Shellnutt) (@TheBikingLawyer) August 3, 2023

Some local residents who live farther from the park or lack access to public transit argue that these measures hinder their enjoyment of the park. While there is a valid conversation about accessibility for those with mobility challenges, the protesting group did not seem inclined to engage in a civil discussion. Matters escalated when counter-protesters joined the scene.

Man drives into protester

A video was shared on Twitter, depicting a man deliberately driving into a counter-protester and subsequently confronting her. He then inexplicably removed his shirt and unleashed a barrage of profanities. The man, reportedly affiliated with the City’s Parks department, has yet to be identified.

David Shellnutt, also known as the Biking Lawyer, commented on the incident: “The individual in this video, who used his vehicle as a weapon against a counter-protester and resorted to threats of physical violence, is an employee of the City of Toronto. “The man in this video that used his vehicle against a counter protester, then got out to threaten to fight them is a City of Toronto employee,” Shellnutt said. “Regardless of his motivation or annoyance at the behaviour of the counter protester, we cannot allow people to weaponize their vehicles. The consequences can be deadly.”

Road violence and dangerous behaviours

Shellnutt emphasized that such incidents are not isolated cases. Drawing on his experience as a lawyer representing injured cyclists and victims of severe road rage, he highlighted the prevalence of such behaviors, leading to significant harm and psychological trauma.

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“Road violence and driver entitlement leading to dangerous behaviours are prolific and penetrate all levels of society,” he said. “Cyclists know it.”

The park has been the site of many clashes between motorists and cyclists over the years. From ticketing blitzes to assaults on riders, High Park has been the epicentre of ongoing tensions between cyclists and drivers.

Following the incident, the City of Toronto issued a media release. It stated, “City staff were not instructed to take enforcement actions related to the gathering at High Park and were expected to perform their usual duties as assigned.”

A spokesperson confirmed that an investigation has been initiated regarding the man who drove into the protester.