Can I cycle after a beer?
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
- Speed pedelec or electric scooter: those are motorised, so a motor-vehicle driving ban can follow after all
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Drunk cycling is a traffic offence, not a triviality. At 0.22–0.35 mg/l the immediate settlement is €197 since 1 July 2026; higher readings rise to €462 and €636. From about 0.5 mg/l there is no settlement any more but a summons to the police court, with a fine of €2,000 to €20,000 — the number nobody sees coming for 'just' a bike. Your car licence normally stays untouched, because disqualification applies to motor vehicles, but the police may forbid you on the spot from riding on for a few hours.
📎 Official sources
- Wegcode.be · driving under the influence →
- Mobilit.belgium.be · immediate settlements (increase 1 July 2026) →
- Evocaat · is cycling under the influence punishable →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I cycle after a few beers?
Cycling is allowed, but from 0.5 per mille (0.22 mg/l) you are committing an offence, exactly as when driving. A bicycle is legally a vehicle, so the Traffic Act alcohol limits apply to you too.
Do I lose my licence if I cycle drunk?
No. Disqualification from driving only applies to motor vehicles, so your car licence stays valid. You do get a fine, and the police may forbid you from riding on for a few hours.
How much is the fine?
Since 1 July 2026 it is an immediate settlement of €197 at 0.22–0.35 mg/l, rising to €462 and €636. Above about 0.5 mg/l you get a court summons with a fine of €2,000 to €20,000.
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 themselves (0.22 and 0.35 mg/l) are identical to those for a bicycle.
Can I push my bike home by hand?
Yes. Someone walking a bike is a pedestrian, and the drivers' alcohol rules then do not apply. Pushing instead of pedalling is therefore the only way to be certain you are in the clear.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “drunk cycling offence belgium”
- “cycling alcohol limit”
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- “speed pedelec alcohol rules”
- “push bike home drunk belgium”