On a Bicycle
Modes of Transportation
What the Law Says
In an Automobile
On a Motorcycle
On a Moped or Scooter
What the Law Says Current page
Safe Practices to Adopt
Signs and Signals and Bicycle Infrastructures
Obstacles and Road Surfaces
Sharing the Road with Heavy Vehicles
Techniques for Turning
Trailers and Child Bike Seats
One Head, One Helmet
On an Electric Bike
As a Pedestrian
On Skates, a Skateboard or a Non-Motorized Scooter
On a Snowmobile
In an All-Terrain Vehicle
In an Electric Wheelchair or a 3- or 4-Wheeled Electric Scooter
In a Motor Home
In a Fifteen-Passenger Van
Using Farm Machinery Wider than 2.6 metres
In a Heavy Vehicle
In an Emergency Vehicle
In a Low-Speed Vehicle
In an Autonomous Vehicle
Back to :On a Bicycle
Modes of Transportation – On a Bicycle
When cycling, rules apply, such as obeying signs and signals and traffic lights. Some things are also prohibited, like riding on sidewalks—except in case of necessity or where directed or authorized to do so by a sign or signal—and riding while wearing earphones or headphones, or while texting. If you commit an offence under the Highway Safety Code, you could receive a fine.
Under the Highway Safety Code, cyclists must, among other things:
obey traffic signs and traffic lights at all times, even when turning right on a red light:
even if the way is clear, a red light or a stop sign means that you have to come to a complete stop. You have to wait for the light to turn green again before continuing
yield the right of way to vehicles and other cyclists that have priority at an intersection. Yield the right of way to pedestrians who enter the intersection or who indicate the intention of entering the intersection
ride as close as possible to the right side of the roadway. A cyclist may leave that position to make a left turn, or in case of necessity
signal their intentions without interruption and over a sufficient distance to make sure that other users have seen them
ride in a single file when riding in groups:
a group can be made up of 15 cyclists, maximum
if there are more than 15 cyclists, form a new group
ride astride the bicycle and hold the handlebars
ride with the flow of traffic—except if signs authorize cycling against the flow of traffic or in case of necessity
stop, give the right of way to pedestrians, and ride at a safe and reasonable speed when riding through a pedestrian crossing
obey traffic signs and signals
stop at a distance of more than 5 m from a bus or minibus whose flashing lights are activated or whose stop arm is deployed
The Highway Safety Code prohibits cyclists from riding:
on highways and on their access and exit ramps
against the flow of traffic, unless signs indicate otherwise or in case of necessity
on sidewalks, except in case of necessity or where directed or authorized to do so by a sign or signal. In such a case, the cyclist must ride at a low speed and give pedestrians the right of way
while wearing earphones or headphones that cover one or both ears
while using a portable electronic device, hand held or not
while viewing information displayed on a display screen, unless all of the following conditions are met:
the information is relevant to riding or related to the operation of the bicycle's usual equipment
the screen is integrated into the bicycle or mounted on a bracket
the screen is positioned in such a way that the cyclist can operate and consult it easily
while performing any action that can distract the cyclist from safely riding the bicycle
between 2 lanes of moving vehicles, unless the vehicles travelling in the lane to the right of the cyclist are in a lane reserved for right turns
a bicycle with a faulty brake system
It is also prohibited:
to carry a passenger, except if the bicycle is equipped with a seat designed for that purpose
to drink alcohol while riding a bicycle
to use drugs, except for over-the-counter medications or medications other than cannabis that have been prescribed by an authorized professional
Offences: fines
Examples of offences
Failing to stop at a red light or stop sign
Turning right at a red light where prohibited by a sign
Failing to yield the right of way at an intersection to users who have priority
Riding with earphones or headphones that cover one or both ears
Riding while using a portable electronic device—whether hand held or not—unless it displays information that is relevant to riding a bicycle, in which case it must be mounted on a bracket that is attached to the bicycle $80 to $100
Failing to signal one's intentions
Riding two on a bicycle without a fixed seat for that purpose
Where can you ride your bike?
You can ride your bike on all public roadways except on highways and their access and exit ramps. To increase your safety, you can also use 4 types of cycling infrastructures:
paved shoulders
shared roadways
Safe Cycling Guide (PDF, 1.2 MB) This file does not meet Web accessibility standards.
Courtesy and Sharing the Road – Among Road Users
Highway Safety Code