Montréal

My bike was stolen for the second time in 2 months. The first time was due to my own stupidity, but this time, it was locked at a metro station and someone cut the lock!! It wasn't worth anything! But I needed it, dammit!

What can I do? Am I doomed to have any bike stolen while I live in this damn city? How do you prevent your bike from getting stolen? There's no point in owning one if you don't use it, right? I really can't live without one. Ugh! I am so pissed right now! I can't afford yet another one!!

Anyone selling a bike for really cheap?

( two black bikes. )

Would anyone know where I can find a good online map of the city's bike lanes? The large maps posted at each of the Bixi stations would be perfect, but I can't seem to find it online. (The Bixi site just has a Google map that places all the stations, but doesn't outline the actual bike lanes.)

I was able to find a map of some bike lanes in PDF format from Vélo Québec, but it doesn't label the street names, the quality is poor, and the paths themselves seem to be out of date. So anything more readable and up-to-date would be really appreciated!

Alright Montreal, I need your help. 
I. Want. A. Bike. 
An old-school looking one with the basket in the front of it and everything! I'm not picky on the color. But, do any of you guys know where I can find a cheap one? Like, no more than 100$ because I probably won't ride it as often. I'd just love one to bike to school, work, metros, etc...
So, if you can help me! That would be great!!
Also, if anyone is selling a bike, I'M INTERESTED!

Thanks!
Melissa.

My roommate recently brought home a BIXI map and I'd love to snag a few more, but she can't remember where she got it from. They've got the BIXI logo on the front and it's a pretty small foldout map that is pretty much pocket sized. Anyone know of a store/place to get some? Thanks!

Why is it that joggers get all pissy when they nearly get run over as they're jogging on the bike path? In fact, they get even more upset when they nearly get run over when they're jogging in the opposite direction of the lane their in.

It just doesnt' seem to make sense to me that a jogger would get mad at the notion of nearly getting run over by vehicles traveling between 20 and 30kph, sometimes going as fast as 50kph. I would have thought they accepted the risk when they decided to jog in the bike path at rush hour.

After all, there are those pictures of bicycles on the path, and sometimes of rollerblades too, but never any feet. And since most bike paths are obviously part of the road, it only seems to make sense to assume that the bike path is a part of the road, so jogging on it is like jogging on the road! Obviously, there is risk associated with that.

So to me, it seems these joggers want to live dangerously, and that's cool with me, so why get upset at nearly getting run over? Wasn't that what the jogger wanted all along? There is no sense of danger if you don't get nearly run over.

Oh well, it's a type of mentality I'll never understand I guess. But, I'm willing to bet that it's quite similar the mentality of bikers who spew vitriol at you when you cut them off with your own bike/car/two feet, even though you have the green light and that biker doesn't. It's still just as absurd as the pissy mood of daring joggers. Maybe it's the same condition of being predisposed to a sense of entitlement no matter how wrong you are?

But maybe that's what Montreal is all about. No matter what method of locomotion we use to move ourselves from point A to point B, we're going to do it badly. After all, there is a reason why you can't turn right on red lights here...

Looking for day-long, unlimited use bike rental places, preferably in Villeray/Little Italy/Petite Patrie/Rosement/Parc Ex area.
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Hello all,

I apologize if this has been discussed before. I went through the last few weeks' worth of entries and didn't see anything.

I wanted to try out the bixi bike rental stuff, but I'm finding that precise information is rather lacking on the site. I signed up (and was given an option of a free registration, one for $78 for a year and then the month one for...$30 or so)

The 'free' registration I signed up for...do I simply pay for anything over 30 mins? The person paying $78..do they pay rates (because it looks like they do.) Sorry if my questions seem silly, I don't feel as though things are properly explained on the site - at least on the English one.

Any and all help would be appreciated! :)

Is there anywhere I can get a printed copy of BIXI station locations? I can't print from my computer.

EDIT: thanks for all the suggestions on where to get copies done, but I was *really* hoping that BIXI would make all our lives easier and maybe give out a small map of their locations or maybe post their maps on the stations themselves.

Thanks, thedeli for deleting your own facetious comment. I already emailed them and haven't gotten a response.

I can print out their map at work if I must, I was just hoping *they* would have those available somewhere for customers.

( ITEMS + PICS )

I have been commuting on my bike from Rosemont (close to bike path) to Saint-Antoine/De la Montagne. Seems that the fastest way to go so far is to ride the bike path all the way down to Berri/René Levesque and ride west on René-Levesque. I am been riding for a while in smaller cities and have been adjusting well to the city but there's one thing I'm not too sure about...

When I am on René/Levesque there is a taxi/bus lane - where should I be riding my bike? To the right or left side of the bus? In the bus lane ahead of bus(if you can keep up...)? I hope this isn't a dumb question ;)

ps - wear your helmets kiddos, I saw someone with theirs on the handlebar this morning....how useful.

My budget is $100 and I need a fixed gear track bike, must be in good, ready to be ridden condition.

Interesting article in the Guardian (British broadsheet paper) about cycling in Montreal. Gets very tourist-guide towards the end, but nice to see my favourite city getting some column space in British press...

...*sits back and waits for v0idnull to make a completely pointless yet witty response* :p

( vintage Browning city bike )

Hello all,
I have decided to invest in a quality bike, and save my trusty 10-speed for shorter, outdoor-locking-required adventures.

I have enlisted the help of my racer-friend who has suggested two stores on the South Shore - Primeau and Neron.  I'm wondering if there are any other recommendations.  I'm looking for a store with a decent selection, a knowledgable and helpful staff that will help me navigate the selection, and a place that will let me try the bike out before I buy.

Thanks for the help!!

Where does one find a cheap used bicycle?

are there places in Montreal to buy bikes cheap?

my friend and me are planning a trip to Montreal in the spring/early summer and we want to bike around since we po' but are concerned about bringing bikes with us. she'll be coming on a bus from Hamilton, ON and i'm flying in from Wisconsin.

I don't know if everyone knows about this, but there's a website being done by the City of Montreal and Stationnement Montreal to find a name for the new self service bikes! Voting is open for 21 more days.

Vote here!!!

On Thursday, I was riding my bike on Villeneuve when I got hit by a car. I'm OK, but the car hit my back wheel and now it's curved, one of the spikes is broken, and it won't turn anymore, making it impossible to ride it. The bike is pretty much useless to me at this point, so I was wondering if anyone could do something with it and would want it. It's a mountain bike and the front wheel and frame are intact, I believe. Simply let me know and maybe we could meet up so I could give you the key to the lock.

Thanks!

A guy just came into my cafe on St-Laurent with a bike. I asked, "Why do you not have a lock for your bike?" and he didn't have an answer, so I'm assuming it's stolen.

So. About the bike.

It's red, ordinary red, with white writing on the site (which I couldn't read). It has a very cushiony seat, and extra handlebar attachments that flip up.

He was here just 5 minutes ago, heading north on St-Laurent.

so i'm getting a "new" bike tomorrow, and the chain needs to be replaced. i don't know how to do it so i want to get it done by a pro. any ideas for a place i could go to, either in the plateau or west island (yes yes, two polar opposites) that are good, not expensive and offer walk in services? (the walk in part is only if it's in the plateau).

thanks in advance!

Hi all! Over the last few years, I've been getting more and more into biking. I want to take my biking experience a step further and be able to fix my own bikes (well, the basics, mainly so I won't have to take it into a shop so often).

Are there classes offered in Montreal or in the West Island suburbs for bicycle repair?

Thanks so much!

I would like to purchase a bike. But I would like a bike that is old-ish and CHEAP, so that I would not be forlorn over its loss if it is stolen. It is really to just get back and forth to school. Does anyone know a place I could get a used/new cheap old-ish bike in the downtown or plateau area for the fall and spring? Or if there is no place, how do I go about getting an old bike like this? Thanks so much!

Dear Montreal pedestrians and drivers,

When I yell "HEY!" or "WATCH OUT!" at you as I am riding down the de Maisonneuve bike path, it is not because I want to fight you. It is because I don't want either of us to get injured, and while off in your own world you have stepped off of the sidewalk into the bike lane, or are ignoring the traffic signs which clearly state that I have the right of way.

Please pay attention!

Thanks,
The bike patrol

(And while I'm at it -- my fellow cyclists, please do not bike on the sidewalk! It is crazy, dangerous, frustrating, inconsiderate, and illegal. Much thanks.)

Hello Montreal,

Where could I grab a map of the Montreal biking paths? I mean one that is in paper form please.

Hello Everyone;
So, like many of you, I'm a student and low of funds. I'm looking to buy myself a bike, and (like with everything else) a used bike would be best. The problem is, I don't want to buy a stolen bike if at all possible. I don't want to add to the problem by feeding the cycle, and the thought of it being discovered that the bike is stolen (by myself, or the person whose bike it is finding it) is just awful. I was hoping that there might be a stolen bike registry somewhere, where I could check to see if this bike is listed. Does anyone know of such a thing, or having any helpful suggestions?
Thank you!

This being Montreal, this is likely a lost cause. But on the off chance you come across my really nice, really new bike... yeah. Well, it's worth a shot.

Stolen from Bishop Street, in front of Concordia's LB Building.
Giant FCR3 (2008) Extra-small frame, with rear "porte panier" basic fenders.
Bought from Le Yeti (sticker on the frame)
Serial number GP816631.



If you somehow come across it, please post a comment in my journal.

Thanks.

Since there have been some posts on Tremblay's transport proposal, here are some figures from the report, which is available from the Ville de Montreal website...

Remplacement des voitures du metro MR-63: 1140 M$ (75% payer par la province)(p.92)
Remplacement des voitures du metro MR-73: 1140 M$ (p.92)
Prolonger la ligne 5 (bleue) de Saint-Michel a Pie-IX: 170 M$ (p.68)
Prolonger la ligne 5 (bleue) de Pie-IX a Saint-Leonard et Anjou: 775 M$ (p.68)
Prolonger la ligne 2 (orange) de Cote-Vertu a Bois-Franc: 340 M$ (p.69)
Tramway du Centre des affaires, Vieux-Montreal et Havre de Montreal: 260 M$ (p.73)
Tramway de l'avenue du Parc: 475 M$ (p.73)
Tramway du chemin de la Cote-des-Neiges: 250 M$ (p.76)
Implanter des autobus articules sur une vingtaine de circuits a fort achalandage: 184 M$ (p.79)
Realiser le train de l'Est de Montreal: 300 M$ (p.85)
Implanter une navette ferroviaire entre l'aeroport et le centre-ville: 475 M$ ou 575 M$ (p.87)
Amenager une gare desservant le site Outremont-Universite de Montreal: 2 M$ (p.90)
Permettre a la ligne Saint-Jerome-Montreal d'utiliser le tunnel sous le Mont Royal: 50 M$ (p.90)
Total spending, Metro: 3 872 M$ (p.92)
Total spending, Tramway: 985 M$ (p.92)
Total spending, Train: 898 M$ (p.92)
Total spending, Bus: 474 M$ (p.92)

Doubler le reseau cyclable: 50 M$ (p.113)
Proceder a une mise aux normes du reseau cyclable actuel: 23 M$
Implanter un systeme de velos en libre-service: 15 M$
Quintupler le nombre de place de stationnements pour velos: 43 M$
Equiper les autobus de la STM et les taxis de support a velo: 3 M$
Total spending, velo: 134 M$

Reamenager le complexe Turcot: 1 500 M$ (p.136)
Moderniser la rue Notre-Dame: 750 M$ (p.137)
Total spending, routiers: 2912 M$

Besoins financiers moyennes annuels pour les 21 chantiers pour 20 ans: 515 M$ (p.185)

Tableux completes: p.192-8

Edit: Added link to report.

My bike was stolen last year and I vowed never to get a bike, again, until I realized how sedentary I was last summer. Does anyone know where I could get a city bike for female for around 200$ or less (preferably very ugly so it doesn't get stolen again)? I thought of buying a second-hand bike, but I'd hate to buy a stolen bike. I've seen ads for "recycled bikes", but don't recall them too well.

There was a post in the memories about SOS Velo, but that dates from two years. Any help would be appreciated!

Hi Montreal,

Long shot, but if you happen to be offered a cheap Diamondback bike that looks like this:

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=2026511087&size=o

with a black rack added on the back and has the serial number 04I0028842 stamped under the frame down where the pedals are, please please let me know. It's my bike and it was stolen last night on St Joseph Est.

Alternatively, where would you be if you were to be offered a suspiciously cheap second hand bike? Do many of them go through classified ads or second-hand bike shops, or do most of them just get sold face-to-face in the street? If I can increase my chances of recovering it by watching the small ads and by circulating the serial number and description with the second-hand bike shops, I'm all over that idea.

Milles mercis

hi,

i made this post a couple of weeks ago. just thought i'd share my experience in case someone else finds herself in the same situation.

- was unable to talk to anyone at Right to Move/La voie libre- my e-mail to them bounced and a machine answers their phone. i didn't want to drag my bike down there without being certain they could help me.

- Cycles St-Laurent would have been able to replace the wheel for about 80$ (includes installation, new wheel, cassette etc). i ended up buying my tube from them for about 4$.

- got a new (used) wheel and the cassette realigned (i installed the tube/tire myself) for about 40$ at SOS Vélo. they were awesome and very helpful.

hope this information is useful.

- some trous de cul tried to jack my bike yesterday and killed my back tire and wheel in the process- knew i shouldn't have parked my bike behind the Du Collège metro :-(. can anyone recommend places where i might find a replacement wheel, not too expensive? how about any bike repair/upkeep classes or workshops? (i'm new to this bike thing)

- how about places that do jewelry repair/shortening, again not too expensive?

gracias!

Okay, two questions for you guys.

1. do any of you have one of those plastic crates on the back of your bike? it looks like a cheap alternative to buying saddlebags, but not worth the hassle if somebody's just going to take it while I'm parked at the grocery store or something. any experiences to share? advice? thanks!

2. where is the best hiking near Montreal? it doesn't have to be in the city, but it does have to be off the beaten path and somewhat challenging. any hidden gems you don't mind sharing? points for places that are in cycling distance also.

thank you dearly!!

Hello,

I recently became re-interested in mountain biking, which was a favourite passtime of mine be fore I moved to Montreal.

Can someone please tell me where you (or anyone can) go to hit the dirt in and around this city?

Im not talking bomber downhill runs, but something with some dirt/mud, roots, hills etc. (like a park trail) Hell, even a basic fire(dirt) road that I can fly down would be nice.

I DO NOT HAVE A CAR!

So please, make it accessable by one, or a combination, of the following ways:

1) Metro

2) AMT train

3) Buses or shuttles that ALLOW bikes (maybe they have a rack or something)

4) A SHORT bike ride, I dont want to ride my bike for an hour just to get somewhere that I am only going to ride for that long. Of course, if its a day trip for killer singletrack, I MIGHT make an exception.

5) some other fairly cheap public transportation that I dont know about.

HELP ME!

Thank you :)

ETA: Bikes are no longer available. Thanks to all for your interest!

I have 2 bikes to give away - one men's, one women's.

( Details )

WORLD NAKED BIKE RIDE DAY!!

Date: 9 Juin 2007 (this saturday!)
Time: 1 PM
Location: Parc Wilfrid-Laurier (coin sud-est), un bloc au nord de St-Joseph, Plateau Mont-Royal


Les participant(e)s sont invités à se peinturer et à décorer leurs vélos. Bring noise makers, bring costumes, bring body paint, bring your friends!

http://wiki.worldnakedbikeride.org/index.php?title=Montreal

for more information on the politics and history of WNBRD

http://www.worldnakedbikeride.org/

Hey guys,

Is there a bike path that goes from the Plateau (I'm close to the bike path that starts on Rachel and the mountain) to Marche Jean-Talon? Preferably a reserved path like they have on Rachel as opposed to just a white line on a normal street. I tried to look online at various bike path maps, but I can't figure it out! Thanks!

Has anyone noticed if during the previous days of the strike, people were allowed on the Metro during the 11pm-1am hours with a bicycle? I know normally you're allowed during off-peak hours, but I can't find any info on the STM site that would be useful, and I'd rather not be kicked off the Metro tonight after I try to haul my ass home.

I have an utter piece-of-junk mountain bike that I was hoping to replace with a road bike when I got enough cash - but I now need to patch it up in order to get me around during the transit strike. It's missing a brake pad, the brakes don't work very well, the gears don't shift properly, and it makes pitiful rasping noises when I pedal it. The only advantage is that I know no one will steal it if I lock it up downtown :) However, biking when your feet are your only brakes is... less than functionally intelligent.

I was told it would cost around $40+ to go to a bike shop. That's a disheartening thought, so I thought I'd throw the question out here: Does anyone here fix bikes for less than that? Or know a person/shop that does? On short notice? (Near NDG? Though that's really pushing it.) Thanks in advance.

In the spirit of the bus strike, I thought now would be a good time to organize a critical mass bike ride through downtown. Google has turned up nothing in the past year about Montreal critical mass bike rides, so I'm beginning to think we don't have one in this city.

Anyone interested? Say... Friday? Maybe during rush hour, but that can always be moved to "off-peak" hours so we can get some attention as well.

I need some advice on bicycling best-practices (or something like that)...

The intersection in question is Rachel & St. Urbain. I often need to turn LEFT on St. Urbain from westbound Rachel...... basically everytime a near incident occurs. I feel really stupid, but what should I do? Cross west on St.Urbain, stop in the pedestrian crossing and wait for St.Urbain's light to change? Cross south on rachel before crossing St. Urbain?

I want to be a good member of the road, but so far I'm just a huge flake. u.u;


(P.S. Also is Berri the only path north from St.Catherine/Renelevesque to the plateau? Or how is the best way to get to the duParc interchange path from downtown. There are so many one way streets and psychotically steep hills I have much fear and confusion and incidents. Any suggestions are appreciated!!!)

Hi all,

I'm currently thinking about exploring part of Canada on bike or hitch-hiking (havent decided yet), starting from Montreal. The idea is slowly developping and i'm seeking advice, info, sugestions, anything that could help me to plan and prepare for a trip that obviously isnt going to be easy.

I'm posting here because it is a large community and I was wondering if anyone who did such a trip or someone who knows someone who did that kind of trip could help me ;)

Any help would be greatly appreciated !

Thanks

a friend of mine told me that sometimes police give out tickets to cyclists riding bikes that have not been registered with the city. i'm curious if anyone knows where to go to get your bike registered and how much it costs. i live in ndg. any information would be appreciated!

thanks!

Hey guys! Do anybody know of a Bike Shop near St. Laurent & Rene Levesque? My bike needs a tune up and obviously I'd like to lug it only as far as I absolutely have to... ;-)

I'm off bike touring in a week, and need to get myself some new pannier bags.
Does anyone have any recommendations of where to look?
thanks

Anyone know if it's possible to bring a bike into an STM bus? not talking about the crowded downtown buses but specificaly the 211 that goes to Sainte-Anne

the weather is getting nicer and that means bike time! but i'm moving away in september and don't want to spend more than 100 (pref. 80 or so). my question to you is - where (other than craigslist) can i find a bike that isn't stolen and at a good price? any used bike stores? anyone on here trying to off a bike? let me know.

Who else is going to Critical Mass today?

Meeting place: Philips Square, Ste-Catherine & Union
Time: meet at 5:30, ride at 6pm.

See you there :)

I did a little bit of searching on this to no avail, but does Montréal (or Québec in general) have any by-laws or regulations prohibiting the use of bicycles on sidewalks? (Or at least, bicycles greater than a given size, i.e. adults?)

I have been having a bit of an ongoing issue with cyclists flying along the sidewalks in this area at night, with no lights, and all but running me down in the process, and I'm frankly getting a little tired of it. Sooner or later, they are going to hit me, or a tree, or a parked car, I'm sure.

As someone who used to ride a lot (in traffic), I have very, very, very little sympathy for bonehead cyclists who ride on the sidewalk, ignore all traffic signals, and generally do things that give me heart failure in the midst of an intersection. Yes, I know, motor vehicle drivers aren't always the most accommodating or respectful of cyclists either, but do people have no sense of self-preservation? When you're on a bike, and you're cutting off a bus... there's no way you're going to win that battle...

Does anyone know of a good and affordable bike shop to get my brakes fixed? (in the verdun, southwest, d/town or ndg area)

I used to go to the Lazy Walker in NDG where worked this very cute friendly british guy but that's gone. HELP! I want to go down hills again! TNX :)