Quebec cyclist gets $440 ticket for late-night ride along bike path

The mayor of Lévis, Que., says the city is considering reviewing its bylaws after a cyclist got a $440 fine for riding on a bike path after 11 p.m.

The 63-year-old cyclist in question, Gilles Frénette, was on the Parcours des Anses bike path in Old Lévis — across the river from Quebec City — on Wednesday night when police approached him.

He was told he was breaking a municipal bylaw that prohibits people from being in public parks between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Mayor Gilles Lehouillier said the police stopped Frénette because there have been recent reports of break-ins and mischief along this particular path.

He defended the police's actions, saying they were acting in accordance with the law. Only six tickets have been issued this summer, he said — not bad, considering the path is used for 350,000 bike trips a year.

But some say it's the principle of the matter.

Quebec Solidaire MNA Manon Massé called on Transport Minister Robert Poëti to make sure all municipalities in Quebec have bike-friendly policies.

"$440 — that's the price Mr. Frénette would have to pay for riding on a bike path after 11 p.m. Is that how we encourage cycling?" she asked in a news release. Massé said people should be encouraged to use bikes rather than cars.

Revisiting the bylaw

Etienne Grandmont of Accès transports viables, an advocacy group for alternative transportation, said not only should people be encouraged to use bikes, but that police on bike paths should be using two wheels rather than four, as well.

"They went on the bike path with their car, that's something that's really [surprising] for a cyclist, to be in front of a car on a bike path. They should be a presence on the bike path, but using bikes too," Grandmont said.

As for Frénette's ticket, the fine was later lowered to $150 and Lehouillier said the city will take another look at the bylaw, because he doesn't want to discourage people from biking.

Quebec City has a similar regulation, though it's rarely enforced.

In Montreal, cyclists can use bike paths 24 hours a day except during the winter and on certain bridges at night.