Montreal

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Just back from my second bike trip to Montreal this summer, and I have to say I felt far safer riding there than I ever have in Toronto. Each trip I rode a mix of city street and highway, day and night for several days. I didn't have even one remotely close call. Here are some reasons why I think it is safer:

- no right turns on red
- many major streets are one way
- lots of bicycle lanes, some divided off with a curb
- advanced pedestrian crossings then no crossing while traffic is turning
- more motorcycles, scooters, bicycles used for general transportation
- in general, all road users seemed less harried and more considerate

I would love to know if the stats bear out a difference in the accident rates between the two cities, but as a fairly new rider that is not that familiar with the city of Montreal, it was very easy and fun to get around there on my bike.

Thoughts?

 

[Redrock]

Just back from my second bike trip to Montreal this summer, and I have to say I felt far safer riding there than I ever have in Toronto. Each trip I rode a mix of city street and highway, day and night for several days. I didn't have even one remotely close call. Here are some reasons why I think it is safer:

- no right turns on red
- many major streets are one way
- lots of bicycle lanes, some divided off with a curb
- advanced pedestrian crossings then no crossing while traffic is turning
- more motorcycles, scooters, bicycles used for general transportation
- in general, all road users seemed less harried and more considerate

I would love to know if the stats bear out a difference in the accident rates between the two cities, but as a fairly new rider that is not that familiar with the city of Montreal, it was very easy and fun to get around there on my bike.

Thoughts?

Hmm interesting, I know Hamilton has a bunch of one way streets and it didn't seem a whole lot safer to me...I guess people just don't know how to merge. I got some time off coming up in September so maybe I'll ride out them ways and see what it's like.

 

[Dino Z]

I'm an ex montrealer and yes, riding seemed safer.
1.) smaller city, It's an island.
2.) a very European mentality, motorbikes are seen as common transportation, notice the amount of scooters.
3.) drivers leave left lanes open on major highways for passing, Toronto take note.
4.) a far better and more efficient public transportation service, fewer cars on the road.
5.) the only road rage I remember was finding a parking spot between 5pm and 7pm, 2 for 1 drinks at almost all bars.
6.) motorbikes have a shorter season, the law doesn't allow 2 wheels past November or before spring.
7.) The mayor of Montreal is a big believer in 2 wheels and is promoted more.

 

[Redrock]

I'm an ex montrealer and yes, riding seemed safer.
1.) smaller city, It's an island.
2.) a very European mentality, motorbikes are seen as common transportation, notice the amount of scooters.
3.) drivers leave left lanes open on major highways for passing, Toronto take note.
4.) a far better and more efficient public transportation service, fewer cars on the road.
5.) the only road rage I remember was finding a parking spot between 5pm and 7pm, 2 for 1 drinks at almost all bars.
6.) motorbikes have a shorter season, the law doesn't allow 2 wheels past November or before spring.
7.) The mayor of Montreal is a big believer in 2 wheels and is promoted more.

@ # 6, Interesting, I never knew that... Aren't they also on a graduated license system in terms of CC's?, I wonder if we'll ever adopt their system.

 

[Dino Z]

Yes, several years ago, Quebec introduced mandatory winter tires on all cars,trucks be put on by a certain date. That date is used for 2 wheels to be off the road.

When spring arrives where the cutoff is for winter tires off, then 2 wheels are allowed back on streets.

I don't think, or least don't recall graduating licensing, but what I do know is that licensing a 250 cc vs a 600 cc can be quite shocking. It's not so much insurance rates because of their no fault system. This ensures getting around those that ride "without appropriate insurance".

 

[mikbusa]

The one thing that stood out for me in Montreal, was that on the highway there was a solid line to indicate no lane changes from left to right where an onramp was. Brilliant! Allowing vehicles to enter the highway without having to deal with traffic moving into that lane from the left should be instituted here.

 

[Gixxer6]

The one thing that stood out for me in Montreal, was that on the highway there was a solid line to indicate no lane changes from left to right where an onramp was. Brilliant! Allowing vehicles to enter the highway without having to deal with traffic moving into that lane from the left should be instituted here.

Ontario tried this on the DVP at Don Mills Road by using a solid line at the interchange and on the Eastbound 401 at Leslie Street, it seems to be mostly ignored. I think it would be very effective if people abided by it.

 

[|X|]

7.) The mayor of Montreal is a big believer in 2 wheels and is promoted more.

Meanwhile our mayor sets the example by driving a monster SUV while talking on his cell phone, reading and eating a four course meal. But then again, he's a busy man.

 

[|X|]

Ontario tried this on the DVP at Don Mills Road by using a solid line at the interchange and on the Eastbound 401 at Leslie Street, it seems to be mostly ignored. I think it would be very effective if people abided by it.

Or the cops enforced it and the penalty was large enough.

For as many years as I can remember there has been a severe case of queue jumping on the left turn from Allen onto Eglinton. Cars would regularly cruise up in the right lane to the front, cross the solid white line, and butt in. This would cause endless amounts of road rage for those patiently waiting in line, which I'm sure resulted in more aggressive driving afterwords. This turn-off is like 100 metres from a police stn.

The penalty for distracted driving is only $155, more like a parking ticket. Does anyone know if it affects insurance rates for those convicted?

 

[evang]

Meanwhile our mayor sets the example by driving a monster SUV while talking on his cell phone, reading and eating a four course meal, while ensuring to give the finger to any women with children he may encounter. But then again, he's a busy man.

fixed.

 

[Thunder Fox]

but overall road condition is BAD!

 

[Niki]

I just rode through Mtrl about a month ago -- with the construction, it is a dog's breakfast! And, Mtrlers lile to drive/ride close and fast.
I like TO better!

 

[|X|]

I just rode through Mtrl about a month ago -- with the construction, it is a dog's breakfast! And, Mtrlers lile to drive/ride close and fast.
I like TO better!

Funny, I felt like the speed demon there doing only 120 on the highways. And I didn't have one instance of someone up my @$$ on the city streets like I get in TO all the time. The streets can be a bit rough though. That's where my enduro suspension comes in handy

 

[Paul1000RR]

Ive been to montreal more times than i can count, and from my experience these people are some of the worst drivers in north america.

 

[Primal]

Ive been to montreal more times than i can count, and from my experience these people are some of the worst drivers in north america.

I agree, worst drivers ever, sure its fast and the flow of traffic is good but nobody knows what a signal is, they follow you you 1 foot from your bumber, they will cut in front of you with no signal with no room to spare. Oh and my favorite they will park in front and behind you so tight that you have no room to get your car out and have to wait till the one who parked in front or behind you comes back.

 

[LePhillou]

So licensing is ridic expensive if you have a 400cc (yeah, not 600, 400cc) bike listed on the "supersport bike" list...

Its like 1000$ to get your plate

http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/vehicle_registration/registration_cost/moto.php

BUT you insurance will be dirt cheap compared to here... same thing for plating cars... its about 200 ish...but then insurance is negligeable over there.

I was in quebec for the whole week last week (i've lived there 85% of my life), and the spyders and scooters and motorcycles are EVERYWHERE... i was walking with a buddy of mine and in about 3 hours of walking downtown noticed about 30 bikes.
I think it does show that cheaper insurance does help hehe.

Roads are hell though.

 

[00ninja]

I was in quebec for the whole week last week (i've lived there 85% of my life), and the spyders and scooters and motorcycles are EVERYWHERE... i was walking with a buddy of mine and in about 3 hours of walking downtown noticed about 30 bikes.
I think it does show that cheaper insurance does help hehe.

Roads are hell though.

I was there last week as well (in the cage), both in Montreal and Quebec City. Bikes of all types are everywhere. For some strange reason I seemed to notice more Spyders there then here in Toronto.

I found Quebecers better behaved on the highways. Most doing about 120km of less. Once I crossed the border into Ontario on the 401, I swear all the Large SUVS came out of nowhere doing "a buck forty" and tailgating.

 

[LePhillou]

I was there last week as well (in the cage), both in Montreal and Quebec City. Bikes of all types are everywhere. For some strange reason I seemed to notice more Spyders there then here in Toronto.

I found Quebecers better behaved on the highways. Most doing about 120km of less. Once I crossed the border into Ontario on the 401, I swear all the Large SUVS came out of nowhere doing "a buck forty" and tailgating.

Yeah my buddy went 2-3 times last month and was telling me how it was spyder town.
I mustve seen a good 15 spyders during the week (i'd never seen that many different spyders).

And i was shocked driving on hwy 20 from qc to montreal. I felt like i was "speeding" at 120!
Then i get past cobourg and im following traffic at 130?! wtf

Moving to montreal is becoming more and more of a good idea for me! (except for the license plates lol)

 

[Dino Z]

Funny, I felt like the speed demon there doing only 120 on the highways. And I didn't have one instance of someone up my @$$ on the city streets like I get in TO all the time. The streets can be a bit rough though. That's where my enduro suspension comes in handy

Quebec has enforced photo radar which is why you don't see too many going over the speed limit.

 

[LePhillou]

Quebec has enforced photo radar which is why you don't see too many going over the speed limit.

Theyre very obvious though, just like red-light photo radars. They warn you in advance and there arent THAT many having taken the highways 40 and the 20 a few times...

Youve got one on the 20
And maybe 1 or 2 on the 40.

I just think they enjoy life more so they dont need to speed to go everywhere

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