Riding A Push Bike While Drunk Nsw
This information is also available in the road users handbook.
Riding a push bike while drunk nsw. If you were breath tested at the station the legislation in all states but tasmania and new south wales relates specifically to motor vehicles. The information given in this section is a guide only and is subject to change at any time without notice. Riding under the influence of alcohol is a serious offence. The maximum penalty for a first offence is 2200 andor 9 months imprisonment.
Although being drunk in charge of a push bike is an offence officers are unable to perform a roadside breath test on a cyclist and would use other methods to potentially make an arrest. While it may be harder to make a case for riding as exercise going to the shops or place of work may now be your only legitimate option. You would be committing an offence whether you were on a footpath or on the road. The nsw government is committed to encouraging people to walk or cycle as part of their everyday travel.
Depending on how intoxicated a cyclist is they can be charged with being drunk while in charge of a carriage maximum penalty two months jail and 113420 fine or can receive a 57 on the spot. Special rules for bicycle riders. Losing your licence will only apply in nsw and tasmania. You can access the full text of the nsw road rules on the nsw legislation website.
If convicted for cycling while drunk the court could also impose a disqualification period from holding a driver licence. Riding a bicycle negligently means riding to endanger the life of yourself or others. A cyclist from lancashire has been prosecuted under a 140 year old law for being drunk in charge of a pedal cycle despite not riding his bike back from pub. The law provides for penalties for riding a bicycle in a negligent or dangerous manner.
So if you were caught while cycling or riding a horse you would face a maximum of 50 penalty units andor imprisonment for six months. Above all be safe considerate and legal this is not a time to push the envelope. The automatic period of disqualification is 12 months and the minimum period is 6 months. Over a million people in nsw ride a bike at least once a week 13 percent of the population and 26 million people ride a bike at least once a year.