Vid game ‘Loser Lane’ shows perils of riding without bike lanes

With all the hullabaloo in Ontario about bike lanes recently, cyclists have taken to all sorts of ways to fight back. Some are getting creative, like the artist Marie LeBlanc Flanagan, who created the online game “Loser Lane” to show how sketchy riding is in a city without separated bike lanes.

In late 2024, Premier Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservative government passed legislation requiring municipalities to get provincial approval before installing bike lanes that reduce vehicle traffic lanes. With Bill 212 now enacted, the province also has the power to remove bike lanes on three of Toronto’s busiest streets— a decision strongly opposed by cycling advocates.

The cycling community has taken several different methods to continue to fight and protest the bill, formerly known as “Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act.”

There were several protests by cyclists before and after the bill passed, for example. The province claims removing bike lanes will ease congestion, citing outdated data that suggests bike commuters “clog primary roads” for 70 per cent of drivers. A Toronto poll showed 10 per cent of residents commute by bike, while 70 per cent use bikes for recreation or errands. Advocates argue the 1.2 per cent figure is misleading, as it includes areas without cycling infrastructure. Critics propose reallocating bike lane removal funds to urgent needs like hospital wait times and transit improvements.

After the bill was passed, an advocacy group, CycleToronto, filed a charter challenge which has resulted in a delay of any bike lanes being removed. But there’s been other forms of protest that have turned some heads when it comes to praising bike lanes for rider safety.

A photo that captures the absurdity of blaming bike lanes for traffic

Cycling advocates held signs over a busy stretch of a highway in Toronto during rush hour, pointing out the irony of blaming bike lanes for congestion. They argued that unfinished transit projects, lack of carpooling, and city construction are bigger causes of gridlock. With no bike lane on the highway, the argument seemed even more unlikely.

Flanagan is an artist exploring connection and community through experimental video games, installations, and cooperative experiences.

She recently created and coded the game in just a few weeks. In it, you use the arrow keys to try and ride through traffic on a road–not a bike lane–and try to survive. That means avoiding traffic, doors, or cars swerving and not seeing you.

The thing is: you can never survive. I tried it a few times and the longest I lasted was 37 seconds. When you (always) die, there’s a message: “Thanks Doug.”

It’s a not-so-subtle example of the perils of riding amongst traffic. Studies have shown that dedicated bike lanes significantly enhance cyclist safety compared to riding on roads without such infrastructure. In Toronto, research found that implementing cycle tracks led to a 38 per cent reduction in cyclist-motor vehicle collisions, despite a 2.57-fold increase in cycling activity on those streets.

“There’s no question that there are traffic problems, but I just don’t feel like the solution is less bike lanes,” Flanagan told the Toronto Star. “The solution is more public transit, free public transit, more bike lanes, more bikes or people.”

It’s a pretty brilliant way to remind those who may be on the fence about bike lanes, that they do in fact save lives. You can try your luck here at Loser Lane.