Cincinnati has a large bicycle community, and those bicyclists have to be careful out on the roadways just like drivers. But do all of the same rules that vehicle drivers have to adhere to apply to bicyclists?
Cincinnati Red Bikes, the app-based bike sharing service, is gaining popularity and some believe it’s a great alternative to driving home from a dinner outing or a bar. A safe alternative, yes, as you should never get behind the wheel if you are under the influence of alcohol. However, those bicyclists might get you in more trouble than you think.
Biking Under the Influence
Depending on the state you are in, biking under the influence can vary from a police officer stopping you and telling you to politely knock it off to a full-blown DUI arrest.
In Cincinnati, and throughout the entire state of Ohio, if you are riding a bicycle while under the influence, you can receive a DUI.
How can that be?
It all comes down to what the courts have determined. In Ohio, the court has decided that a bicycle is in fact a vehicle and DUI laws apply to a person riding a bike just as they do to a person driving a car.
No matter what state you’re in, biking while impaired by drugs or alcohol is never a good idea, because there is a far greater chance of hurting yourself and others. You should avoid doing so in Cincinnati, because you may get charged with a DUI.
The chance of hurting yourself is still pretty high when you’re biking under the influence, but the chance of harming others is actually high as well. A head-on collision is certainly much more dangerous than a bicycle, but an impaired bicyclist out on the roads can cause other vehicles to act erratically while trying to avoid hitting a bicyclist, which can lead to life-threatening accidents.
DUI Details
If convicted of a DUI— no matter what vehicle you’re operating—contacting The Farrish Law Firm, L.P.A. in Cincinnati should be your first step. Our DUI attorneys know how difficult these situations can be. The will do everything they can to assist you during the entire process and provide the necessary legal counsel. A DUI can change your life. Contact the DUI attorneys who can help.
You might have thought that choosing to ride a bike under the influence was a safe alternative to driving a vehicle, and you might be right, but you’re still at risk of being arrested for an extremely serious offense. The penalties for a DUI can include high insurance rates, expensive fines, suspension of your driver’s license, forced attendance of a driver’s intervention program, and mandatory incarceration in jail.
If you are going to go out to a party, restaurant, bar, or any other social gathering, and you have to drive, make the right decision and do not drink if you do not have a safe and legal way to get home.
If you have been received a DUI of this—or any—kind, contact The Farrish Law Firm, L.P.A. today.
