Safe Speed Forums

I have a quickie, if someone can help, and I imagine it's a question on many peoples' lips who also don't know?

Like several of my friends, I sometimes have a drink which would put me over the limit in a car but we cycle instead.

We're not blotto of course but even so - is there an alcohol limit for a cycle and if so, would it affect my driving licence? I have a feeling it could but it rarely happens for some reason.

Sorry if it's been covered but I couldn't see it on a search.

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

I do know of someone that was caught by the police for cycling while drunk. However, I don't know if he was charged with any offence and he didn't have a licence at the time.

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Prepare to be Judged

Shouldn't this be one to ask on C+?

Surely the old fashioned view was that you were only a risk to yourself if you rode while under the influence. I'm sure modern thinking is against it, and you ARE committing an offence.

At least you are unlikely to get caught for speeding, no insurance, or tax!

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Time to take responsibility for our actions.. and don't be afraid of speaking out!

AIUI there is not mg/ or ml/ 'limit', it has to be shown 'impaired under the influence', they would have to arrest you and get the police surgeon to agree you were 'impaired', similar to drug driving. It is the impairment not consumption that is the offence.

I can't give legal reference, and will happily be educated, but the above is my understanding of the legal position.

fatboytim

From Road Traffic Act 1988:

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Andrew.

You took the typing out of my fingers there

We can ban someone riding a lawn mowing tractor from driving if he was inebriated whilst cutting grass.

But it also applies to cycling and bieing in charge of a pony and trap as well. It stems from old Statutes - but they are just as valid today as they were when Queen Victoria was on the throne.

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Take with a chuckle or a grain of salt
Drive without COAST and it's all your own fault!

A SMILE is a curve that sets everything straight (P Diller).

A Smiley Per post
FINES USfor our COAST!

Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon - but driving with a smile and a COAST calm mind.

But is the offence a slap on the wrist or a heavy fine and points on my driving licence?

As a road user, allbeit on a cycle, would my driving licence be affected?

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

My understanding is that you would not get points on your driving licence. I wonder how many people get fined for drunken cycling each year - I'd like to bet under a hundred. Not something that should be encouraged, though.

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"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

I remember an episode of Traffic Cops where the Police stopped a cyclist who was really drunk. They let him off, and just laughed at his drunkenness.

Imagine that happening with a motorist.

We would not have let him continue here as a drunk cyclist is just as dangerous to other orad users and him/herself as a drunken driver.

_________________
Take with a chuckle or a grain of salt
Drive without COAST and it's all your own fault!

A SMILE is a curve that sets everything straight (P Diller).

A Smiley Per post
FINES USfor our COAST!

Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon - but driving with a smile and a COAST calm mind.