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I'd have to dig into the subject and I can't speak for the whole EU. In my country, by definition, a bicycle can't be powered only by an engine. Electric bikes

by zalew 13y ago

I'd have to dig into the subject and I can't speak for the whole EU. In my country, by definition, a bicycle can't be powered only by an engine. Electric bikes are bicycles when their electrical engine is powered by pedalling, how weird wouldn't that sound. The electrical engine can't be more than 250W and needs to power off over 25km/h. Not sure the 'modes' would count, IANAL. (But keep in mind Poland is a beaurocratic hell and our laws regarding even normal bicycles are an evil clusterfuck, as an example we have 4k people locked up for bicycle DUI and only 1k more for DUI in a car, and during the last policies update blinking headlights and reflective tires were banned - in the name of safety of'koz.) It may work differently in other countries. F.ex. in Poland you can make a motorbike license and jump on a Hayabusa, Germans have graded licences based on power so noobs don't kill themselves on the first day, etc. Most unified laws among the EU concern trade, not issues like road safety.

ramblerman 13y ago
Bicycle DUI really, wow... In Belgium they throw money and campaings at getting people not to drive cars under influence. I wouldn't say "take your bike" is the official stance, but certainly the most popular alternative. I've never heard of anyone being stopped to check alcohol levels on their bike.
- zalew 13y ago
  The reason is it falls under the same law - cars, bikes, forklifts, tractors, etc. Basically: alcohol == walk. The curious thing is, you lose your driver's license for bike DUI. If not for an accident, people get canned usually for recidivism, first senteces are suspended. I've been stopped for a breathalyzer once, in the middle of the night, on an empty bike path in Warsaw. Well, Belgium, heh, we are a bit different when it comes to bike infrastructure and roads in general. A lot of traffic goes through local roads, small towns and villages often lack means of transport in the evening, and people drink a lot - figure out the rest. A drunk biker can be a danger to himself and the drivers, but there are enough laws to punish somebody for behaving dangerously on the road, no need to get nazi on everybody who's been for a few in a pub. Well, it's ridiculous.

by zalew 13y ago

ramblerman 13y ago

Bicycle DUI really, wow... In Belgium they throw money and campaings at getting people not to drive cars under influence. I wouldn't say "take your bike" is the official stance, but certainly the most popular alternative. I've never heard of anyone being stopped to check alcohol levels on their bike.

zalew 13y ago
The reason is it falls under the same law - cars, bikes, forklifts, tractors, etc. Basically: alcohol == walk. The curious thing is, you lose your driver's license for bike DUI. If not for an accident, people get canned usually for recidivism, first senteces are suspended. I've been stopped for a breathalyzer once, in the middle of the night, on an empty bike path in Warsaw. Well, Belgium, heh, we are a bit different when it comes to bike infrastructure and roads in general. A lot of traffic goes through local roads, small towns and villages often lack means of transport in the evening, and people drink a lot - figure out the rest. A drunk biker can be a danger to himself and the drivers, but there are enough laws to punish somebody for behaving dangerously on the road, no need to get nazi on everybody who's been for a few in a pub. Well, it's ridiculous.