Riding a bike after drinking alcohol

Riding a bike after drinking can lead to serious accidents. As we know, these are common in Poland and result in serious injuries and death. Riding a bike after drinking has the worst consequences, which don't even include legal ones. Success isn't riding drunk and not getting caught, but rather not riding a bike after drinking.

Drinking and cycling is considered dangerous behavior by many cyclists, a fact we often see on the roads. Online videos of drunk cyclists barely managing their bike before tumbling into a ditch can be amusing. Imagine, however, that person being hit by your car. Imagine a reeling cyclist hitting you as you pass. Finally, imagine your drunk cycling ending like this. You might be able to handle one beer, but not necessarily three. The worst thing happens when you replace low-alcohol beer with wine or a high-intoxication alcohol, such as vodka or whiskey. Therefore, drinking and cycling on a warm day while engaging in physical activity is not a good idea. The risks you take can be life-threatening, but they also impact other road users.

What's going on?

When we're on foot under the influence, our motor skills are impaired, let alone when we're on a bicycle! Our reflexes slow down, and we react more slowly to unexpected road incidents. At the same time, cycling under the influence reduces our stability, which can have unpleasant consequences on sharp turns or when approaching traffic lights. Cycling under the influence also impairs our ability to assess reality rationally. Some things may seem more ridiculous to us, or we may simply overlook them. The drinking and cycling scenario outlined here is more likely to involve significant intoxication. However, let's not forget that "a few beers" has equally disastrous consequences. Seemingly sober, we get on our bike and, calmly, enter the road, where cars and trucks are moving. This, combined with the speed of the bike and other road users, can result in an accident, the consequences of which will be felt for years. Therefore, in truth: drinking and cycling is not a good idea. It doesn't make you better or braver, it doesn't give you new skills, and it only causes losses.

Riding a bike under the influence of alcohol – legal definition

The law clearly defines two levels of intoxication: under the influence and intoxicated. This is addressed in Article 87 of the Code of Petty Offenses (driving under the influence of alcohol). Riding a bicycle under the influence of alcohol occurs when the blood alcohol content is between 0.2 per mille and 0.5 per mille. As for the amount of alcohol in exhaled air, the legislature has set this value at between 0.1 and 0.25 mg of alcohol per 1 dm3. Riding a bicycle under the influence of alcohol occurs when the blood alcohol content is above 0.5 per mille and the breath alcohol content is above 0.25 mg of alcohol per 1 dm3. If you drink one beer and get on your bicycle an hour or two later, the blood alcohol content will likely be low. However, if cycling under the influence occurs after a few beers or drinks, you should expect serious consequences.

Dramatic extra

Cyclists often get away with drunk cycling. This is because the specific nature of cycling makes it difficult for police to monitor. It's difficult for officers to station themselves in parks and randomly invite cyclists for a check. However, if your drunk cycling results in an encounter with the police, you can expect far-reaching consequences. You could face a fine or even imprisonment. Cycling under the influence is also a sad statistic. Accidents caused by cyclists driving under the influence of alcohol constitute 13% of all road accidents. Cycling under the influence in 2018 resulted in 6 fatalities and 215 injuries. Of course, these statistics don't include people who simply fell on the sidewalk and continued on their way. Therefore, cycling under the influence only appears harmless on the surface. However, behind these numbers lies a powerful social trend with significant harm. Learn about cyclist insurance

Riding a bike after drinking alcohol – road, sidewalk, forest path

Riding a bicycle under the influence of alcohol on the road is one of the worst ideas you can come up with after drinking. This is where you're at greatest risk, as alcohol combined with the high speed of both the bicycle and the cars is an explosive combination. Such drunk cycling, if detected by the police, results in severe penalties. For many years, officers haven't offered leniencies or forgiveness for such behavior, so expect significant penalties. Riding a bicycle under the influence of alcohol on the sidewalk is just as much of a violation as riding on the road. The only place you can get away with such behavior is on forest trails. There, riding a bicycle under the influence of alcohol is legal, which is somewhat absurd. This area isn't subject to traffic regulations, but that doesn't exempt you from the obligation to ride sober.

Riding a bike after drinking alcohol – what are the consequences?

First, a fine. If the police catch you doing this, you can expect a significant financial loss. Riding a bike under the influence of alcohol (0.2-0.5 per mille of alcohol) carries a fine of 300-500 złoty. While this may seem like peanuts to some, for most people, such amounts will prove to be very severe. However, if you're riding a bike under the influence of alcohol (over 0.5 per mille of alcohol), you'll definitely have to pay a 500 złoty fine. The penalties listed above apply to situations where the police are the only ones dealing with the offense. However, things are different when your case is heard in court. Riding a bike under the influence of alcohol and after drinking can result in a fine of up to 5,000 złoty and 14 days in jail. This happens when your behavior is considered a repeat offender, or the police officer deems a more severe punishment necessary. Riding a bicycle under the influence of alcohol is also punishable by a fine of up to 5,000 PLN. The penalty for this is one month of imprisonment. This applies when cycling under the influence of alcohol has caused an exceptionally dangerous situation. Needless to say, the threat of spending a month behind bars is not a pleasant one.

Cycling under the influence - driving ban

Following a Supreme Court ruling, the legislature has abandoned revoking the driving license of drunk cyclists. However, if our drunken cycling convictions go to court, we can expect to be banned from riding our bikes. While this may seem trivial, "how will they check me?" However, when it actually happens, we can expect harsher penalties. It's also worth noting that not only is riding a bicycle under the influence punishable, but also transporting a drunk person. Such behavior can result in a 150 złoty fine. Lending a bicycle to someone under the influence is also punishable. Text: Marcin Denisiuk