Bicycling – The Rules of the Road in Quebec
Around Montreal you will see a lot of people bicycling on all kind of bikes. More riders means more need for Bicycling Rules. The folks in Quebec know the rules of the road for bicycling and will point them out to you if you don’t. So be prepared and read the Quebec Safe Cycling Guide – English before you go there.
The biggest change for most riders is the bicycle only stop lights. You will have to keep your eyes open for them as you ride the bike paths.
Here is a list of violations that you can be cited for:
1. Failure to stop at a red light or stop sign
2. Failing to yield the right of way at an intersection to users who have priority
3. Failing to use the bicycle lane on a public road
4. Riding on a sidewalk
5. Failing to hold onto the handlebars
6. Turning right at a red light where signs prohibit it
7. Riding two on a bicycle without a fixed seat for the purpose
8. Failure to obey a road sign or traffic light
9. Drinking alcohol while riding
10. Failing to ride in single file
11. Failure to signal one’s intentions (stop and turn)
12. Riding against the flow of traffic
13. Riding on the roadway other than the far right
14. Riding with earphones or a headset
A nice guide is published in English, Quebec Safe Cycling Guide – English
Most of these rules are common sense and should not be anything new for most riders.
these rules are fucking stupid
if the police dont stop you every time you break one of these laws they shouldnt be aloud to stop you.
It just doesn’t make sense.
every person who rides a bike in montreal breaks these rules every day for sure -.-
very discouraging when you get a ticket. might as well take my car and ruin the earth no? instead of doing something enviromentally friendly
anws im just a kid so what can I fight for?
Michael
June 18, 2012 at 3:49 pm
Rules for rules sake if you ask me. Riding without your hands on the handle bars, are you serious. I checked out the SPVM site and they evern add demerit points to infractions. I don’t own a car, and I don’t have a license. Demerit away. I commute back and forth every day and break most of these rules regularly. As a Montrealer, I can assure you that these rules have nothing to do with public safety and everything to do with making money for the city. Police in this town are just glorified tax collectors.
Terrenord@yahoo.ca
May 6, 2013 at 2:46 pm