In 2025, the Police de Montréal issued 1,600 citations to cyclists who were wearing earphones, a practice that the province's Road Safety Code explicitly bans for cyclists. The same code allows motorists to have a single earphone in one ear while driving, creating a clear regulatory difference between cyclists and drivers.
Police officials said the enforcement action reflects the code's wording that prohibits any earphone use while riding a bicycle. The increase in citations follows a period of heightened monitoring of cyclists' compliance with the rule. François Joly, a spokesperson for the police, confirmed that officers have been instructed to stop cyclists who are detected with earphones and to issue citations on the spot.
Two road‑safety specialists noted that the distinction in the code is intended to address safety concerns specific to cycling, where auditory awareness of traffic is considered essential. They explained that allowing a single earphone for drivers is viewed as a lesser risk compared to cyclists, who are more exposed to hazards from multiple directions.
The 1,600 citations recorded in 2025 represent the latest tally of enforcement actions under the code. Police data show that the number of citations has risen since the rule was clarified, indicating that more cyclists are being stopped for the infraction. The police continue to advise cyclists to remove all earphones while on the road to avoid penalties.
The Road Safety Code remains unchanged, maintaining the prohibition on any earphone use for cyclists while permitting drivers to wear one earphone. Authorities stress that compliance with these provisions is essential for road safety and that the citation program will continue as long as the rule is in effect.