Montreal police handed out 1,600 tickets in 2025 to cyclists caught using earphones, enforcing a provision of the Quebec Road Safety Code that permits motorists to wear a single earphone but bars cyclists from doing so. The surge in citations reflects a deliberate policing effort that distinguishes between the two groups under provincial law.
The Quebec Road Safety Code explicitly allows drivers to keep one earphone in place while operating a vehicle, a concession meant to accommodate navigation or hands‑free calls. In contrast, the same code forbids cyclists from using any earphones, citing the heightened need for auditory awareness on busy streets. Montreal police have focused on this distinction, stepping up patrols and checks on cyclists throughout the city.
City officials, including François Joly, have acknowledged the enforcement push, noting that the rules aim to reduce accidents involving distracted cyclists. Two road‑safety specialists also highlighted that eliminating earphone use for cyclists removes a significant source of distraction, potentially improving reaction times and overall safety for both riders and other road users.
The 1,600 tickets issued in 2025 represent a marked increase from previous years, underscoring the police department’s commitment to uphold the code’s provisions. While drivers continue to enjoy the limited flexibility of a single earphone, cyclists must now navigate Montreal’s streets without any audio devices, a policy that police say is grounded in the province’s safety framework.
Authorities plan to maintain the current level of enforcement into the next year, emphasizing that compliance with the Road Safety Code remains essential for reducing injury risk on the city’s busy thoroughfares.