You could face a hefty fine if you cycle while drunk
Driving under the influence of drink or drugs is widely known to be dangerous.
But what are the rules regarding drinking and cycling, and what fines could you face?
According to the Road Traffic Act 1988, it is an offence to ride a bike when you are unfit to do so as a result of drink or drug use, and it is illegal for any road user not to comply with this Act.
James Farrell, criminal lawyer at Slater and Gordon, explained that although drink cycling is a chargeable offence for which you can be arrested, fixed penalties are preferable to convictions
However if other aggravating factors occurred while cycling under the influence of alcohol – such as hitting a pedestrian – then going to court would be more likely, but ‘alternative ways’ are usually used instead of convictions where possible.
Richard Gaffney, a serious injury lawyer at Slater and Gordon, added: “The best advice I can give is not to drink alcohol if you intend to then cycle.
“If you do drink then there is a good chance you will be committing a criminal offence.
The maximum penalty for cycling whilst under the influence of drink or drugs is a £1,000 fine, which is also the case for careless or inconsiderate cycling.
While you can be fined, you can’t have your driving licence endorsed with penalty points because of an offence committed on a bicycle.
However, as the organisation Cycling UK points out: “It’s often overlooked that the court does have a general power under the Power of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 to disqualify anyone from driving, without imposing penalty points, for any offence, including a cycling offence.”
Unlike drink driving, however, there is no upper alcohol limit for drunk cycling.
And although police may ask for a breath test, cyclists can decline this and the police cannot force you to provide a breath, blood or urine sample.