🍻 Can I cycle after a beer?

With conditions

Quick answer

Cycling after a beer is allowed, but cycling drunk is punishable — only you don't lose your car licence for it. A bicycle is legally a vehicle, so the drivers' alcohol limits also apply to cyclists: from 0.5 per mille (0.22 mg/l of breath) you are committing an offence, and from 0.8 per mille (0.35 mg/l) it is more serious. The big difference from a car: for drunk cycling you normally don't lose your car licence — a ban isn't automatic for a bicycle and applies to motor vehicles. The police can, however, forbid you from riding on for a few hours and fine you. Since 1 July 2026 the immediate settlement is €197 at 0.22–0.35 mg/l; higher values rise to €462 and €636, and above 0.5 mg/l you get a court summons. Note: a speed pedelec or electric scooter is motorised, so a ban can apply there.

📋 The rules

A bicycle is a vehicle: the alcohol limits apply to cyclists too (art. 34-35 Traffic Act)
Offence from 0.5 per mille (0.22 mg/l); more serious from 0.8 per mille (0.35 mg/l)
For drunk cycling you do not lose your car licence — a ban only applies to motor vehicles
The police can forbid you to ride on for a few hours
Immediate settlement (since 1/7/2026): €197 at 0.22–0.35 mg/l, rising to €462 and €636
Speed pedelec/electric scooter: motorised, so a ban can apply

🔓 Exceptions

Above about 0.5 mg/l there is no immediate settlement but a court summons, with a fine of €2,000 to €20,000
Walking your bike by hand is being a pedestrian — the drivers' alcohol rules then don't apply

⚠️ Penalties & fines

Drunk cycling is a traffic offence. At 0.22–0.35 mg/l the immediate settlement is €197 since 1 July 2026; for higher values €462 or €636, and in serious cases (from about 0.5 mg/l) a summons to the police court with a fine of €2,000 to €20,000. Your car licence stays untouched, but the police can hold your bike for a while.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-06-20

❓ Frequently asked

Can I cycle after a few beers?

Cycling is allowed, but from 0.5 per mille you are committing an offence, just as when driving. A bicycle is legally a vehicle, so the alcohol limits apply to you too.

Do I lose my licence if I cycle drunk?

No. A driving ban only applies to motor vehicles. For drunk cycling your car licence stays valid — but you get a fine and may be forbidden to ride on for a few hours.

How much is the fine?

Since 1 July 2026 it is an immediate settlement of €197 at 0.22 to 0.35 mg/l, rising to €462 and €636. Above about 0.5 mg/l you get a court summons with a much higher fine.

Does this also apply to an electric scooter or speed pedelec?

Yes, and more strictly: those are motorised, so the judge can impose a motor-vehicle driving ban there. The alcohol limits are identical.

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