Drunk on a bike

CardBordWindow · 11-11-2011 02:35PM #1

Firstly, I'm not encouraging this, it was just debated in the pub last night.

If somebody is on a bicycle after having a few drinks, can you be done for drink driving, seeing how technically you're not driving. Would you be done for Being a Danger to Yourself and Others instead?

Has anyone had experience in this field?

Oranage2 · 11-11-2011 02:36PM

You can be charged for drunk driving -

The law is drunk and incharge of a mechically propelled veichle

driving” includes managing and controlling and, in relation to a bicycle or tricycle, riding, and “driver” and other cognate words shall be construed accordingly;

seamus · 11-11-2011 02:41PM

You can be charged for drunk in charge of a bicycle, not drink-driving.

You cannot be breathalysed for this, it's up to the Garda to decide if you're sufficiently intoxicated so as to be incapable of safely riding the bike. So this means it's perfectly legal to drink and cycle.

If the Garda wishes, he can confiscate the bicycle until you've sobered up.

In court, it carries a maximum fine of €2,000. You cannot be jailed or banned for it.

In most cases if you're that drunk the Gardai will typically tell you to get off an walk.

reprazant · 11-11-2011 02:41PM

You can be done for it.

Don't think it is drunk driving but it is illegal afaik.

jester77 · 11-11-2011 02:41PM

Not sure of the law in Ireland, but here in Germany you lose your license as you are in command of road vehicle and a danger to others. In order to get it back you have to have a Medical Psychological Assessment

DEFTLEFTHAND · 11-11-2011 02:42PM

CardBordWindow wrote: »

Firstly, I'm not encouraging this, it was just debated in the pub last night.

If somebody is on a bicycle after having a few drinks, can you be done for drink driving, seeing how technically you're not driving. Would you be done for Being a Danger to Yourself and Others instead?

Has anyone had experience in this field?

My Father has a story about getting nabbed for it one night back in college. They just took the bike off him and he had to shamefully call down to the Garda station to collect it the next morning. They were laughing at him more than anything else and probably took it off him for his own safety really.
This was in the 70s however so not sure how it works today.

flutterflye · 11-11-2011 02:47PM

I was drunk on a bike once.
Thought I'd show off to my ex boyfriend who had just dumped me.
I sped down the hill to where him and his friend were.
When I pulled the brakes, I did a double flip and landed on the ground with the bike on top of me.
My ex just shook his head in disgust and walked off, and his friend tried to help me up.
Moral of the story - drinking and cycling does not win you your boyfriend back.

Immaculate Pasta · 11-11-2011 02:47PM

I have an Aunt in Kent and someone in the village near her does the same thing but with a horse. Fair play for beating the system :cool:

Lady Chuckles · 11-11-2011 02:49PM

I was ran into by a drunk cyclist... :mad:

CardBordWindow · 11-11-2011 02:49PM

Immaculate Pasta wrote: »

I have an Aunt in Kent and someone in the village near her does the same thing but with a horse. Fair play for beating the system :cool:

He gets the horse drunk!? :eek:

CardBordWindow · 11-11-2011 02:50PM

Lady Chuckles wrote: »

I was ran into by a drunk cyclist... :mad:

So he wasn't cycling?

Snakeblood · 11-11-2011 02:51PM

CardBordWindow wrote: »

Firstly, I'm not encouraging this, it was just debated in the pub last night.

If somebody is on a bicycle after having a few drinks, can you be done for drink driving, seeing how technically you're not driving. Would you be done for Being a Danger to Yourself and Others instead?

Has anyone had experience in this field?

I nearly broke both my hands cycling home from Leopardstown racetrack pissed. The real problem was I bought 3 toblerones from a vendor, and I had no pockets, and I couldn't control the vehicle as a result.*

*The real problem was that I was pissed.

Lady Chuckles · 11-11-2011 02:53PM

CardBordWindow wrote: »

So he wasn't cycling?

Of course he was! Don't try to be smart

ScumLord · 11-11-2011 02:54PM

Oranage2 wrote: »

The law is drunk and incharge of a mechically propelled veichle

What about if your in a wheelchair? Can they arrest you at any time?

m5ex9oqjawdg2i · 11-11-2011 02:54PM

Happened to my mate in Germany, was drunk cycling home and he got his bike took off him and banned from the road for a year... A bit harsh I think.

seamus · 11-11-2011 02:55PM

Oranage2 wrote: »

You can be charged for drunk driving -

The law is drunk and incharge of a mechically propelled veichle

A bicycle isn't a mechanically propelled vehicle.

deandean · 11-11-2011 02:59PM

At the checkpoint on my bike I said 'Howws a goin Gard are ye well?', we had a discussion, he checked my lights, he had a close look at my eyeballs 'n stuff, established I wasn't too far from home, then let me on my way with a caution & my promise to be careful.

That's proper policing! Reckon he worked out I wasn't much of a danger to anyone, myself even!

Oranage2 · 11-11-2011 03:04PM

Maybe I'm wrong

http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/man-on-bike-has-drink-driving-case-thrown-out-149965.html

Though it's not legal to cycle under whilst drunk

mcmoustache · 11-11-2011 03:07PM

Up to 5 pints or so, I think that a person would be OK. If you can walk in a straight line, you should be able to handle a bike.

I have cycled while quite drunk before and the cycling wasn't the tricky part. It was waiting for lights to turn green that that had me nearly fall over. It only ever happened at night when the roads were quiet, thankfully.

CardBordWindow · 11-11-2011 03:07PM

Oranage2 wrote: »

Maybe I'm wrong

http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/man-on-bike-has-drink-driving-case-thrown-out-149965.html

Though it's not legal to cycle under whilst drunk

It's dated April 1st. Belated April Fools?

texidub · 11-11-2011 03:09PM

I tells ya.. a bike isn't the only thing I've ridden whilst drunk.

Remember kids.. don't drink and ride.

yoyo · 11-11-2011 03:11PM

mcmoustache wrote: »

Up to 5 pints or so, I think that a person would be OK. If you can walk in a straight line, you should be able to handle a bike.

But hold on, that would be classed as hazerdous drinking :eek: :P :pac: so must not be safe according to the experts! :P

Nick

saa · 11-11-2011 03:17PM

I got from City centre to Terenure on the way home I cycled in a straight line after a few pints but after a while you might lose concentration,

out of nowhere on the cycle path I just swired right into a lamp post, almost.
I let out a loud eeep and managed to avoid it, the rest was fine.

I wouldn't advise it but its nothing like driving tipsy, you're probably going to scrape and bump yourself worst case a car hits you and you're done for but you're not going to hurt the driver in most instances. Still not a great idea I would avoid but I wouldnt take it as a serious problem in ireland we have to tackle

yoyo · 11-11-2011 03:25PM

saa wrote: »

I got from City centre to Terenure on the way home I cycled in a straight line after a few pints but after a while you might lose concentration,

out of nowhere on the cycle path I just swired right into a lamp post, almost.
I let out a loud eeep and managed to avoid it, the rest was fine.

I wouldn't advise it but its nothing like driving tipsy, you're probably going to scrape and bump yourself worst case a car hits you and you're done for but you're not going to hurt the driver in most instances. Still not a great idea I would avoid but I wouldnt take it as a serious problem in ireland we have to tackle

If a driver hit a pissed cyclist and badly injured/killed them that will have a terrible effect on him/her in most cases, so I do not think its fair to suggest its only the cyclist who will be hurt (maybe physically, but the driver mentally). A pissed cyclist also may plugh into a pedestrian, small child etc and bikes can kill people if cycled wrecklessly. The limit for cycling a bike should be higher, but I think people who cycle absolutely trolleyed are morans. Not suggesting you were in this category at all btw, but you know the kind I mean who swerve all over the road/paths/cycle lanes.

Nick

BostonB · 11-11-2011 03:26PM

Many years ago in college we got stopped by a patrol car. Friend had a bike, I was walking, we were just walking and talking. Cops stopped to chat and send us on our way, realised we were a bit drunk, told is to go home. Friend swings leg over bike, misses it then falls over it. Cop looks down and says, perhaps walking would be a better idea. Then followed him a bit to make sure he was ok walking.

Another friend got stopped and I think fined. Long time ago so don't remember well.

AgileMyth · 11-11-2011 03:32PM

texidub wrote: »

I tells ya.. a bike isn't the only thing I've ridden whilst drunk.

Remember kids..

Was briefly unsure where you were going with that one..

texidub · 11-11-2011 03:34PM

You're not alone AgileMyth... post in haste, marvel at your leisure.. or something

MetalDog · 11-11-2011 03:41PM

I remember once I was rat arsed I was cycling and came off the bike over the handlebars - SPLAT! - Funnily I was fine, only bruised.

I reckon if I did that sober I'd have needed a doctor. . . didn't do it again though.

texidub · 11-11-2011 03:54PM

Now that I think of it, the only times I had accidents on bikes is when I've been sober. When I've been pissed.. no probs.

Therefore, I think cyclists should be legally obliged to drink before taking to the streets/foothpaths/front gardens/canals. Not only would it bring a smile to the faces of other people --and we all need a laugh in these dark, winter days-- it would obviously reduce the number of accidents.

If that means more Gardai and more breathalyzer kits, then so bbe it.

Trampas · 11-11-2011 04:02PM

did it once and broke my collarbone. never again

Professey Chin · 11-11-2011 04:04PM

I dont recommend it.
And I can hardly cycle sober! (Not a good combination since I used to go mountain biking nearly every weekend :pac: )

Drunk on a bike

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