No helmets are required in Le Tour de l'Ile de Montreal. The tour is divided 
into two main groups. the first group that leaves early is called the 
Express. This is for people who are able to ride at least 30km/hr. Generally 
more adept riders enter this class. They also jump into sending their 
registration form as early as possible because this fill up the fastest. Only 
3000 entries possible. The other 42 000 are from many walks of life. All 
morning and into the afternoon people can be seen leaving the starting line. 
Now to get back to your question there is no rules telling people that 
helmets are a must as of yet. In the Express 99% wear helmets and in the 
general population it might be somewhere around 50%. I must admit that this 
year out of the five years I have participated, I did not wear my helmet even 
though I wanted to. I got up late, the straps needed adjusting, I had no time 
(excuse???). This year tour had the least amount of accident incidents that I 
can recall. In the Express the pace can build up quickly and riders break up 
into  groups. I started back in the pack so by the time I got over the start 
line the head group were over a km away! Oh well next year.
Richard G.
--- Maximus/2 3.01
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