Montreal Rides

08/08/2026

When the province bans your favorite e-bike, you adapt.

Traded in the old ride for a NIU KQi2 Pro electric kick scooter that can actually fold up under my bed. Put it together (and almost broke the connector pin in the first 10 minutes), figured out the app, and took it out on the Montreal bike paths to see how it handles.

Full unboxing and first ride impressions over on the channel! 👇

https://youtu.be/J24IounmIwY

08/03/2026

Bonjour tout le monde! 👋

First, I want to say a quick thank you for your patience. It has been nearly three weeks since the video went live, and life has been a bit of a whirlwind, but the companion article is finally here!

If you have been curious about what it is actually like to live with an electric moped in Montreal, I have put together a detailed, 5,000-kilometre review of my NIU NQi GTS. 🛵

In this article, I dive deep into:
⚡ The reality of battery range (and why the "on-paper" specs can be a bit of a mirage).
⚠️ Navigating Montreal's infamous potholes, orange cones, and loose gravel.
🛑 My honest thoughts on the Combined Braking System (CBS) and maintaining those hydraulic brakes.
📱 How the smart app's GPS tracking actually saved my previous scooter from being stolen forever.

Whether you're a commuter, a student, or just curious about transitioning to two wheels, check out the full breakdown on the blog.

👉 Read the full article here: https://montrealrides.ca/2026/08/03/niu-nqi-gts-5000km-review/

Let me know in the comments: are you team electric moped, or are you waiting to upgrade to a full-fledged motorcycle? 🏍️

Passing a major mileage milestone on any vehicle is a satisfying feeling, but on an electric moped navigating the unique, rugged streets of Montreal, it feels like a genuine achievement. Having recently crossed the 5,000-kilometer mark on a NIU NQi GTS electric scooter, it is time to look back at wh...

07/19/2026

5,000 KM LATER: The Honest Truth About the NIU NQi GTS!

I recently passed the 5,000 km milestone on my NIU NQi GTS electric moped, riding it all over the Island of Montreal, Laval, and the South Shore. This is my full, long-term, unsponsored review of what it is actually like to live with this smart EV commuter.

In this video, I break down everything:
- Why Quebec’s sudden e-bike ban forced me to get my Class 6D license.
- Real-world range vs. the manufacturer's claims (and the dreaded 15% Eco Mode drop).
- Potholes vs. Plastic: How the suspension and body panels handled Montreal's rough roads.
- A wild story about how the NIU GPS tracking app helped me recover my stolen scooter in under two hours!

Whether you're considering buying an electric moped or are just curious about electric urban commuting, check out the full review over on YouTube!

👇 Watch the video here:
https://youtu.be/88f8D2VYmiU

(Special thanks to for the outro tracks!)

After passing the 5,000 km milestone on my NIU NQi GTS electric mop...

06/20/2026

Service day in the city.

I spent the day sorting out some mechanical logistics — heading to the dealership to ask about store credit options for my banned NIU UQi+, and then over to the JUSST Service Center to try and get the NQi GTS tuned up for the season. To break up the ride, I completely bypassed the usual stock music libraries. The interludes you'll hear between stops are original NEON.EXE synthwave tracks, produced specifically for this video. We end the day opening up the throttle on a faster stretch of road.

Watch the full vlog here: https://youtu.be/zf_yEBvzucQ

Sorting out some mechanical logistics in the city. I’m heading to t...

05/25/2026

The greatest show—and the ultimate paradox—in motorsport has officially begun. 🏍️

As the 2026 Isle of Man TT kicks off, the Snaefell Mountain Course is once again echoing with the roar of practice sessions. But behind the mythic status and Michael Dunlop’s chase for a historic 100th start lies an inescapable reality: the absolute peril of a 37.73-mile loop with zero margin for error.

In my latest article, I dive deep into the full story of the TT. We're looking at its rebellious history, confronting the heavy price the Mountain Course demands, examining the high-tech safety overhauls keeping the race alive today, and laying out exactly what to expect from the grid this year.

Read the full deep dive here: https://montrealrides.ca/2026/05/25/between-glory-and-gravity-the-sovereign-paradox-of-the-isle-of-man-tt/

The Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) is not just a motorcycle race; it is a pilgrimage. For two weeks every year, a quiet, windswept island in the Irish Sea transforms into the most revered, and feared, motorsport arena on earth. To understand the TT, you have to look back at how it began and why it....

05/15/2026

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Canada, and I’m taking a deep dive into what it truly means to be seen (and heard) on the streets of Montreal. From the new 2026 SAAQ gear mandates to the physics behind the "loud pipes" myth, I’m exploring how silence on an electric machine like my NIU NQi GTS demands a higher level of tactical awareness.

Safety isn't about the noise you make; it’s about the presence you maintain.

Read the full article: https://montrealrides.ca/2026/05/15/the-invisible-rider-navigating-the-2026-season-in-silence/

May in Montreal is more than just a change in weather; it is a profound transition for the city’s streets. The grey thaw of winter finally gives way to the vibrant hum of the 2026 riding season. After a long hiatus and the patient wait for the final snows to clear, the first few rides are a necess...

05/12/2026

Better late than never! My first unscripted motovlog of 2026 is finally live.

I’m catching you all up on what I’ve been doing this winter—including the launch of the new Montreal Rides blog and some music updates. I also spent some time experimenting with new camera angles using the Insta360 X4 on the NIU.

Stick around for the end to hear the new track from NEON.EXE.

🎥 Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/BgnfXOxlfPE
🌐 Read the blog: https://montrealrides.ca/

It's already mid-May, and the streets of Montreal are finally calling. This is my first unscripted ride of the year, catching up on everything that happened ...

03/15/2026

It's March 15th. In Quebec, that's a legal milestone for riders—but look outside. 🌨️

My NIU is staying in "Professional Purgatory" for a little longer. Are you braving the slush today, or waiting for the "Great Wash" with me?

📽️ Watch the full story on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1ozp7kAudc
☕ Support: https://buymeacoffee.com/montrealrides

March 15th is the legal start of the motorcycle season in Quebec, but the reality on the streets of Montreal is a different story. Between the "professional ...

03/11/2026

With the escalating war in the Middle East sending shockwaves through global oil markets, the price of a weekend ride is climbing again. It begs the question: is riding a gas-powered bike tying us too closely to global geopolitics? 🌍⛽

Today on the blog, I’m doing a deep dive into the pros and cons of Petrol vs. Electric motorcycles through a slightly heavier lens. Why I value the geopolitical independence of plugging into our local grid.

Read the full essay here: https://montrealrides.ca/2026/03/11/the-geopolitics-of-the-throttle-why-the-pump-is-a-political-act/

With the world on fire again, the choice between gas and electric feels heavier than just range and horsepower. The news cycle over the past two weeks has been incredibly heavy. With the U.S. and Israel now entrenched in a sprawling conflict with Iran, the headlines are a constant stream of strikes,...

03/04/2026

The law says March 15th is the day we can ride again, but the Montreal forecast—and the gravel on the roads—has other plans.

My NIU NQi GTS is currently sitting in a warehouse with hundreds of other bikes, and honestly? It’s staying there a little longer. Between the "no-salt" ice patches and the predicted snow dump, I’m choosing patience over the "legal" start date.

Read why I’m holding off: https://montrealrides.ca/2026/03/04/the-march-15th-mirage-why-my-ride-is-staying-in-professional-purgatory/

The law says we can ride, but Montreal’s icy reality says otherwise. It’s been two weeks since I last shared a thought here. Sometimes, the “side hustle” demands a level of focus that leaves the creative tank on empty, and the weekly rhythm has to take a backseat. But as the calendar flips t...