Bike Safety & Rules

It’s important to know these biking rules and guidelines before riding in the city—for your safety and the safety of others. 

Finding a helmet

Wearing a helmet is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself while biking, no matter how far or fast you ride. A good helmet should fit snugly, sit level on your head, and be free of cracks or damage. Look for safety certifications like CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), EN 1078, or ASTM, which ensure the helmet meets impact protection standards. Many helmets also feature Mips (Multi-directional Impact Protection System), a layer designed to reduce rotational forces on the brain during crashes. Helmets can be expensive, but they are an important investment in your health and safety!   

Note: helmets are legally required for those riding electric bikes.

The 2V1 method

Hand Signals

Use the following guide to determine which hand signals to use when approaching an intersection. Practice making these signals before riding in the city—they help avoid collisions and confusion around you. 

*Alternative Right Turn: If you don’t feel comfortable taking your right hand off the handlebar, you can lift your left arm up 90 degrees to signal turning right. Many riders use this signal, so it is good to know what it means.  

Road Signs

The following road signs show up often around Quebec, so it's important to get familiar with them before getting on two wheels. In the absence of biker specific road signage, bikers may use the pedestrian light to travel, and are not obligated to wait for the light to turn green for car traffic.

Stay Away from Blind Spots

Blind spots are areas drivers cannot see. Familiarize yourself with common blind spots (dark gray in the image below) and avoid biking in them when possible. Ensure to keep at least 1 meter between you and vehicles on the road. Account for more space when biking next to trucks, buses, and longer cars, as their blind spots are larger. 

Traffic rules

In Montreal, there are laws that encourage safe biking. Bikers who do not follow these rules may receive a warning or fine from the police. To learn more, visit the SPVM website.  

Bikers can be fined for 

• Wearing headphones or earphones while riding 

• Riding on the sidewalk when it is not specifically allowed* 

• Running a red light or not coming to a full stop at a stop sign  

• Not wearing a helmet on an e-bike (including BIXI e-bikes) 

*As of August 2025, “The Highway Safety Code (HSC) prohibits cyclists from riding on the sidewalk except in cases of necessity or where there are signs permitting or prescribing this.” 

While biking, it is important to be...