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Bicycle Reflectors and Lights

According to the Highway Safety Code, bicycles are required to have the following reflectors at all times:

  • A white reflector in the front
  • A red reflector in the back
  • A amber or white reflector on each pedal (a bicycle need not carry the reflector if the cyclist wears a reflective band around each ankle or shoes with reflective strips)
  • On the front wheel, an amber or white reflector attached to the spokes and visible on both sides of the bicycle, an amber or white reflective strip attached to each side of the fork, a tire with reflective sidewalls or a rim with a continuous reflective strip around the entire circumference of the wheel on both sides
  • On the back wheel, a red or white reflector attached to the spokes and visible on both sides of the bicycle, a red or white reflective strip on each seat stay, a tire with reflective sidewalls, or a rim with a continuous reflective strip around the entire circumference of the wheel on both sides
  • A trailer towed by a bicycle must carry two red reflectors at the rear, as far apart as practicable, or a red reflective strip placed as close to horizontal as possible across the width of the trailer.

At night, every bicycle must also carry, a white headlight or light and one red tail-light, both of which may be flashing.

Infractions and penalties

Not respecting these rules constitutes a violation

Penalties plus applicable fees

Reflectors

 

 

$80

Lights at night

All bicycles must have at least one white headlight in front and one red light in the back. 

 

$80

 

Find out more

According to the report l’État du vélo au Québec en 2010, in evenings in Montréal in October and November 2010, there were counts of nearly one out of four bicycles (22% and 23%) equipped with a white light in the front and a red light in the back.

When considering the BIXI public bikes, one out of three (35% and 30%) was properly equipped.

The counts done in October showed that 10% of bikes had one of the required lights. In November, this figure increased to 21%.