Can I cycle drunk in Austria?
No, not from 0.8 per mille. For cyclists the alcohol limit is 0.8‰ — higher than the 0.5‰ car limit, but still a hard ceiling. This 0.8‰ limit also applies to ordinary e-bikes/Pedelecs with pedal assist; the motor changes nothing. From 0.8 to under 1.2‰ you face €800–€3,700 in fines, and more above 1.2‰. Importantly: drunk cycling can put your driving reliability in doubt — the authority can then even withdraw your car driving licence, although you were only on a bike. In short: no — 0.8‰ is the cut-off, including on an e-bike.
📋 The rules
- Cyclist alcohol limit: 0.8‰
- Also applies to e-bikes/Pedelecs
- 0.8–<1.2‰: €800–€3,700 fine
- From 1.6‰: €1,600–€5,900 + retraining
- Possible withdrawal of your car licence
🔓 Exceptions
- 36th road-code reform (from May 2026): e-scooters 0.5‰, e-bikes stay 0.8‰
- Drugs on a bike: €800–€3,700 regardless of alcohol
- Refusing the breath test is punished as the most serious case
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The fine ranges largely match cars: €800–€3,700 (0.8–<1.2‰), €1,200–€4,400 (1.2–<1.6‰) and €1,600–€5,900 (from 1.6‰ or refusal), with a traffic-psychology retraining course (about €495) at high readings. Beware a myth: "you can never lose your car licence for cycling drunk" is false — even though no demerit point attaches on a bike, the authority can find you unreliable and revoke your licence. Tip: push the bike or take public transport if you've been drinking.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
What's the alcohol limit on a bike?
For cyclists in Austria the alcohol limit is 0.8 per mille. That is higher than the 0.5 per mille car limit but still a firm ceiling. From 0.8 per mille, cycling is prohibited and penalised.
Does it apply to e-bikes too?
Yes. For ordinary e-bikes and Pedelecs with pedal assist the same 0.8 per mille limit applies as for ordinary bicycles. The electric motor doesn't change the classification. Under the road-code reform from May 2026, e-bikes stay at 0.8, while the e-scooter limit drops to 0.5.
What does drunk cycling cost?
From 0.8 to under 1.2 per mille you face €800 to €3,700, from 1.2 to under 1.6 per mille €1,200 to €4,400, and from 1.6 per mille or on refusal €1,600 to €5,900. At a high reading a paid retraining course is added.
Can I lose my car driving licence?
Yes, that's possible. No demerit point attaches on a bike, but drunk cycling can call your driving reliability into question. The authority can then withdraw your car driving licence even though you were only on a bike.
Can I push the bike while drunk?
Yes. Anyone simply pushing a bicycle counts as a pedestrian and isn't subject to the cyclist alcohol limit. If you've been drinking, pushing the bike or using public transport is the safe and penalty-free alternative.
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