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I am curious about the rules around the world and experiences of people "[bi]cycling under the influence (BUI / CUI)." It seems pretty common a lot of places and laws are certianly all over the place.
Of course BAC is calculated differently in different countiries, check wikipedia on BAC.
Europe
Austria The same rules and fines apply as to drivers, but with a higher BAC limit.
Law: Federal: Straßenverkehrsordnung (StVO) § 5, § 99 Abs. 1b
BAC limit: 0.8g/l (0.5g/l for motorized transport)
Punishment: €800 to €3700 (or you can sit it out in jail for up to six weeks if you don't want to pay.)
Drivers licence penatly: You normally won't loose your drivers liscence if you have one or get any points against it but a note is added to your file and it's problematic if there are other alcohol-related incidents on record. Its also a problem if you have a CDL (truck or bus licence).
Enforcement: Bicycles are also stopped at frequent drunk-driver check-points, especailly in cities or around major events.
Germany The same rules apply as do to drivers, fine are lower.
Law: Federal: Straßenverkehrsordnung (StVO), penatly as per § 316 StGB
BAC limit: 0.3g/l possible penatly if dangerous, form 1.8g/l penatly and medical testing required (lower for motorized transport)
Punishment: Starts at 10 day's wages (probablly around €400) up to 60 day's wages (easily millions if you're rich enough). Higher fines and/or imprisonment for repeat offenders.
Drivers licence penatly: Points are made against licence, possibility to be banned from bicycling for a period of time.
Enforcement: Little enforcement in my experience, but maybe others know better.
United Kingdom
Law: National: Licensing Act 1872 (also bans being drunk in bars, generally never enforced), Section 30 Road Traffic Act 1988.
BAC limit: "to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the cycle."
Punishment: up to £2500
Drivers licence penatly: No points [endorsements] are made against licence.
Enforcement: You are not obliged to submit breath or blood sample.
North America
Canada Not a crime.
Law: None prohibits, local public intoxication laws may be used to detain and charge cyclists.
BAC limit: None.
Punishment: Detainment to sober-up and $65 (Toronto) for public intoxication.
Drivers licence penatly: None.
Enforcement: Some using public intoxication laws.
USA - State-by-state.
No national laws, mostly state traffic codes legislate this:
California Prohibited but legislated sperately than driving.
Law: California Vehicle Code
BAC limit: ?
Punishment: $250
Drivers licence penatly: None.
Enforcement: ?
Wisconsin Technically the same as for driving, which is also poorly enforced.
Law: Wisconsin State Statutes 340.05(5), 346.02(4)(a), 346.80(2)(a)
BAC limit: Technically 0.08
Punishment: Fine, drivers usually don't even loose licence for repeat drunk driving.
Drivers licence penatly: Technically possible, but highly unlikely.
Enforcement: Little and when, then mostly using public intoxication laws, with a warning or around $100 fine.
Of course BAC is calculated differently in different countiries, check wikipedia on BAC.
Europe
Austria The same rules and fines apply as to drivers, but with a higher BAC limit.
Law: Federal: Straßenverkehrsordnung (StVO) § 5, § 99 Abs. 1b
BAC limit: 0.8g/l (0.5g/l for motorized transport)
Punishment: €800 to €3700 (or you can sit it out in jail for up to six weeks if you don't want to pay.)
Drivers licence penatly: You normally won't loose your drivers liscence if you have one or get any points against it but a note is added to your file and it's problematic if there are other alcohol-related incidents on record. Its also a problem if you have a CDL (truck or bus licence).
Enforcement: Bicycles are also stopped at frequent drunk-driver check-points, especailly in cities or around major events.
Germany The same rules apply as do to drivers, fine are lower.
Law: Federal: Straßenverkehrsordnung (StVO), penatly as per § 316 StGB
BAC limit: 0.3g/l possible penatly if dangerous, form 1.8g/l penatly and medical testing required (lower for motorized transport)
Punishment: Starts at 10 day's wages (probablly around €400) up to 60 day's wages (easily millions if you're rich enough). Higher fines and/or imprisonment for repeat offenders.
Drivers licence penatly: Points are made against licence, possibility to be banned from bicycling for a period of time.
Enforcement: Little enforcement in my experience, but maybe others know better.
United Kingdom
Law: National: Licensing Act 1872 (also bans being drunk in bars, generally never enforced), Section 30 Road Traffic Act 1988.
BAC limit: "to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the cycle."
Punishment: up to £2500
Drivers licence penatly: No points [endorsements] are made against licence.
Enforcement: You are not obliged to submit breath or blood sample.
North America
Canada Not a crime.
Law: None prohibits, local public intoxication laws may be used to detain and charge cyclists.
BAC limit: None.
Punishment: Detainment to sober-up and $65 (Toronto) for public intoxication.
Drivers licence penatly: None.
Enforcement: Some using public intoxication laws.
USA - State-by-state.
No national laws, mostly state traffic codes legislate this:
California Prohibited but legislated sperately than driving.
Law: California Vehicle Code
BAC limit: ?
Punishment: $250
Drivers licence penatly: None.
Enforcement: ?
Wisconsin Technically the same as for driving, which is also poorly enforced.
Law: Wisconsin State Statutes 340.05(5), 346.02(4)(a), 346.80(2)(a)
BAC limit: Technically 0.08
Punishment: Fine, drivers usually don't even loose licence for repeat drunk driving.
Drivers licence penatly: Technically possible, but highly unlikely.
Enforcement: Little and when, then mostly using public intoxication laws, with a warning or around $100 fine.