If you’re a cyclist, you should be aware of the laws in place that govern reflectors! More and more people cycle in Montreal, and especially at night, not having reflectors on your bike can be dangerous. Make yourself visible to avoid potential accidents.
The SPVM has been cracking down recently on cyclists who don’t have the proper reflectors installed on their bikes… It can quickly get expensive! The fine for not having reflectors installed is $80… PER REFLECTOR! When you consider that a total of six reflectors are required by law (plus two lights at night), the maximum fine for not having them can be as high as a whopping $640! Yikes!
According to the SPVM’s website, the following reflectors are required by law:
- 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.
In addition, cyclists must have a white light facing forwards and a red light facing backwards when riding at night. Both may be flashing.