MONTREAL - Montreal police are warning bicyclists to lose the headphones when stepping into the saddle.
They've launched an awareness campaign to inform cyclists that wearing earphones or headphones while riding a bicycle is against the Highway Code
Many cyclists who were stopped Wednesday morning on the De Maisonneuve bike path and given courtesy tickets said they were unaware of the law.
Police say the law is essential because listening to music isolates bike riders from traffic and makes it more likely for them to get into a collision.
"I am a bike patroller and I see that a lot of times. I see a lot of cyclists with their headphones and if I would want to give a ticket, I could give more than 50 a day," said Constable Nathalie Valois.
Some riders say the reason they wear headphones is block out the noise of traffic.
"With all the noise around, it's just so much easier to concentrate with the music on," said Julian Egron shortly after he was pulled over.
Police say that the noise of traffic is essential to safety, and in many times is the first warning of an impending collision.
The fine for wearing earphones while riding a bicycle is $30 to $60, plus $22 in fees. It is actually the highest fine that can be given to riders, although it does not come with any demerit points.
