Drink-cycling

[blacktriangle]

A link someone sent here said:

"It is an offence to ride a bicycle whilst unfit through drink or drugs"

Which makes sense.

However, out of interest:

1. Is it covered by the same blood alcohol level?

2. If you get done for drink-cycling, does it put your driving license in jeopardy?

[Lady Python]

Good question. If I recall correctly I believe it can affect your driving licence but that's something I heard over 20 years ago and I don't know if it's true or not.

I know that I wouldn't touch my bike with a drink in any more than I would touch my car. I just don't believe in handling any vehicle with even one drink. I'm not much of a drinker anyway and prefer soft drinks or coffee.

[2Tubs]

A link someone sent here said:

"It is an offence to ride a bicycle whilst unfit through drink or drugs"

Which makes sense.

However, out of interest:

1. Is it covered by the same blood alcohol level?

2. If you get done for drink-cycling, does it put your driving license in jeopardy?

1. No.

2. No

It's more like walking, being drunk and disorderly.

Back when my grandparents were still with us, they moved to sheltered accommodation where one of the residents was threatened by the police of being "Drunk and in charge of a wheelchair". No idea if it's a real law and they old guy pushing his wife home wasn't actually done. The poilce walked them back to the accmmodation for fear that he'd push his missues into the path of a lorry >;o)

Gazza

[Lady Python]

I think the term is "Drunk in Charge of a Bicycle".

Just Googled it an came up with this:

In law a bicycle is defined as a carriage for use on the highway but cyclists are not in charge of 'mechanically propelled' vehicles so, in law, do not have to adhere to exactly the same 'drink drive' rules as motorists.

The Licensing Act 1872 makes it an offence to be drunk in charge of a bicycle (or any other vehicle or carriage, or cattle) on a highway or in a public place but this old law also forbids any public drunkenness - even in a pub - so is clearly never enforced.

Section 30 Road Traffic Act 1988 says: "It is an offence for a person to ride a cycle on a road or other public place when unfit to ride through drink or drugs - that is to say - is under the influence of a drink or a drug to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the cycle.

In Scotland a PC may arrest without warrant a person committing an offence under this section. There is no obligation for a cyclist to submit to a blood or urine alcohol test.

'Road' in the above bit of legislation includes a bridleway so don't think you can get blotto at a country pub and ride home 'off road' without risk.

And here's the rub. If you ride drunk you risk endangering yourself and possibly others by your actions. Would you ride home blindfolded? Beer-googles and bicycles do not mix. And cycling 'dangerously' can be fined by up to £2500.

In answer to your question about points on your driving licence, no, you cannot get endorsements on your UK driving licence for a 'drink cycling' offence. Some US States have such a law so be careful when searching on this topic via Google.

The UK Highway Code - a useful but not a definitive source for UK legislation on motoring and cycling offences - says the penalty point system is "intended to deter drivers from following unsafe driving practices...The accumulation of penalty points acts as a warning to drivers that they risk disqualification if further offences are committed."

Note the word 'drivers.'

[reohn2]

It should be punishable by humiliation as should be drink driving on top of a £1000 fine for first offenders

The humiliation could involve being chained to a lampost in centre of the nearest town to where the offender lives with the appropriate large sign hung around the neck.
Second offence £4000 same humiliation but this time naked .

[archy sturmer]

So I take it nobody here cycles to the pub then?
Or doesn't cycle back anyway!
- AS

[mhara]

Second offence £4000 same humiliation but this time naked .

EEEuurghh!!!!!
Us poor passers-by might have to witness some pretty grotty sights. Spare us a thought reohn2

[reohn2]

Second offence £4000 same humiliation but this time naked .

EEEuurghh!!!!!
Us poor passers-by might have to witness some pretty grotty sights. Spare us a thought reohn2

But just think how bad it would be for the offender,of course it will never happen as have these poor offender's their human rights to consider,but just one in ever town now and again I think could(if you'll forgive the expression) swing it for the rest of us.

[Lady Python]

Second offence £4000 same humiliation but this time naked .

And on a freezing cold (preferably with snow or severe frost) day. Would certainly shrink the "ego"

[Mick F]

There's nothing wrong with being naked.

What am I wearing whilst typing this?

[reohn2]

There's nothing wrong with being naked.

What am I wearing whilst typing this?

A sugar bag?
Trainers only?
A bowler hat maybe?

The mental torture,sorry picture is more than any human should have to stand(or even sit)


Ah well another sleepless night

[Bananaman]

Yes I have and would cycle after drinking (and will often leave the car and take the bike for that very reason).

However if I decide I've had too much I will leave the bike.

I am pretty sure that if the cycle accident stats were broken down you would find drink to be a much less common contributor than it is for vehicles.

[mhara]

Second offence £4000 same humiliation but this time naked .

EEEuurghh!!!!!
Us poor passers-by might have to witness some pretty grotty sights. Spare us a thought reohn2

But just think how bad it would be for the offender,of course it will never happen as have these poor offender's their human rights to consider,but just one in ever town now and again I think could(if you'll forgive the expression) swing it for the rest of us.

Actually - I take back my EEEuurghhh.
When the Bicycology Collective showed the 2005 Naked Bike Ride film at our local picturehouse the 200 or so naked women and men were a pretty nice-looking bunch. The ride took them past the US Embassy and I wonder what the Yanks made of the redheaded (errm) woman who was bouncing up and down opposite their builidng shouting 'My bush for President'?
And how interesting that several men chose not to get dressed again after the route was completed. By then it must have felt quite ordinary to be standing around wearing nothing but a pair of shoes and a bicycle.

[Mick F]

Wonderful!

[Lady Python]

Total freedom