New Montreal Metro Rules For Cyclists & Dog Owners Kick In On May 20

Two wheels or four paws? The STM is saying "yes" to both this summer.

​Fabre metro station in Montreal with bikes in a rack out front.

Fabre metro station in Montreal with bikes in a rack out front.

Editor

No more juggling between your two-wheeler and metro schedules. As of May 20, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is letting cyclists bring their trusty steeds on board at all times.

Weekdays will see improved access for cyclists, while weekends and holidays will be a full green light for cyclists. Just keep in mind, during a few high-traffic city events, temporary restrictions may apply.

To better manage crowding during such times, restrictions will now target specific lines and time slots rather than the entire network.

To ensure everyone’s comfort, a couple of rules are in play: two bikes per metro car and one per door max. Additionally, STM now recommends avoiding the lead car. Those now prioritize school groups, daycare services and people with functional limitations who prefer using the front of the train.

The bike policy is part of a wider initiative that the STM launched in April to encourage sustainable mobility and increase flexibility for cyclists to combine biking with metro travel.

Dog owners will also be able to take the metro with their animal, on a leash and wearing a muzzle, under the terms of the pilot project. Expanded bike and pet access are effective until August 20.

After the summer stint, the STM will put on the brakes until November 15 to evaluate how the changes influenced service efficiency, safety, crowding and overall rider experience.

If the experiment takes off, it could revolutionize your commute, and future summers on the metro could be a whole different ride.

  • Sofia Misenheimer
  • Sofia Misenheimer is a former editor of MTL Blog. She has an M.A. in Communication Studies from McGill University. In her spare time, she shares little-known travel gems via #roamunknownco, and can often be found jogging in the Old Port.

Montreal had nearly 500 break-ins in May — Here are the hardest-hit neighbourhoods

At roughly 15.7 break-ins per day, May was the busiest month of the year for criminals so far.

The Canadian government is doing a census follow-up and some people face fines up to $1,000

Census enumerators are now making phone calls and going door to door across Canada.

Poilievre says Quebec separatism was 'wiped out' under Conservatives. Polls say otherwise.

The Tory leader insists separatist sentiment in Alberta and Quebec is being driven by the Liberals.