Misinformation on drinking alcohol and cycling.

[Brandane]

Just been listening to Radio Clyde 2, and a discussion about whether or not it is illegal to be drunk in charge of a donkey.
One of the studio participants took the view that yes, it is illegal, because "it's like drink cycling, which is the same as drinking and driving, so don't do it."
Wrong information. It is against the law to be DRUNK while cycling, which is very different to being over the drink drive limit. There is no prescribed alcohol limit in law with regards to cycling. You would need to be in a pretty bad way to bring yourself to the attention of the Police and get yourself convicted of cycling while drunk.
I will confess to enjoying the odd pint or 3 while out cycling. In no way is it even vaguely similar to driving a 2 tonne fast moving car on a public road after a few pints. My bike weighs about 12 kilos, and in the unlikely event that I fall off then I am only likely to harm myself. I hope the extremist risk averse types never get the opportunity to take that particular pleasure away from us.
Incidentally, it is NOT illegal to be drunk in charge of a donkey!

 

[glasgowcyclist]

And there's no power for police to require a sample of breath, blood or urine to establish the level of alcohol present either. You'd need to be under the influence of drink to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the bicycle.

 

[Glow worm]

'Refreshed' cycling is one of the great joys of life. In fact, one of the reasons I ever got back into cycling (early 90's) was because I was fed up paying £15 for a taxi to get me the 3 miles back to my village (Tal-y-Bont) from my favourite pub in Bangor. so I bought a £10 BSO and the rest is history.

 

[ClichéGuevara]

A local used to travel by horse and cart, and would regularly nod off on the cart after a skinful and let the horse take him home. He got stopped by the Police, who asked him if he knew the Highway Code. 'aye' he says, 'I do, but 'oss dunt'.

 

[fossyant]

Walking is far safer than any pub pike, just saying, less speed and height to fall over.

 

[vickster]

Walking is far safer than any pub pike, just saying, less speed and height to fall over.

Falling on a pub pike could be very dangerous indeed

 

[rogerzilla]

Don't drink too much, though...it becomes irresistible to weave in and out of the central white lines.

 

[ClichéGuevara]

Falling on a pub pike could be very dangerous indeed

Not if you land in the side carp.

 

[vickster]

Not if you land in the side carp.

I wasn't thinking of that type of pike

 

[Rooster1]

last time I had a few pints and rode home, I scared myself ****less on a corner.

 

[palinurus]

Don't drink too much, though...it becomes irresistible to weave in and out of the central white lines.

I find that irresistible when sober.

 

[mjr]

last time I had a few pints and rode home, I scared myself ****less on a corner.

It's a good discouragement against doing it again! Moderation advised.

 

[Seevio]

I've always thought that the offence of "unable to control your bicycle due to the effects of alcohol" was one of the more unnecessary laws. Personal testing would suggest that one is either in control of the bicycle or very quickly no longer on the bicycle.

 

[a.twiddler]

'Refreshed' cycling is one of the great joys of life. In fact, one of the reasons I ever got back into cycling (early 90's) was because I was fed up paying £15 for a taxi to get me the 3 miles back to my village (Tal-y-Bont) from my favourite pub in Bangor. so I bought a £10 BSO and the rest is history.

That's how I got started too! Though it soon became more about the cycling than the pub. It's still nice when the opportunity arises to stop for a pub meal and refreshments as I did in my touring heyday. In moderation of course and Covid regs notwithstanding. And nowadays, bladder capacity too! Mine must have been immense then, about the size of a peanut nowadays.

 

[bladesman73]

I learned my lesson a few years ago, cycled back from a pub after a skinful, ended up over the bars 🤣