An e-biker was recently arrested for DUI in Colorado’s high country, underscoring a crucial reminder for cyclists: you can indeed be charged with a DUI while riding on two wheels. The incident occurred in Summit County, where a deputy noticed a man on an e-bike swerving across the road and even into oncoming traffic. After being stopped, the rider attempted but failed sobriety tests, clearly unable to complete them as a sober person would.
The e-biker was arrested and taken to a local detention facility, where tests revealed his blood-alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit for operating a vehicle. Colorado law broadly defines a ‘vehicle’ as any device capable of moving a person or property, which means bicycles, scooters, and likely even rollerblades fall under this category. Consequently, operators of these devices are subject to the state’s DUI laws.
While many might think that biking or using electric scooters after a night of drinking is a safer alternative, it’s important to remember that drinking enough to exceed legal blood alcohol limits can still land you in serious legal trouble—and put you at risk of injury. If you find yourself too intoxicated to safely ride home, consider calling an Uber, which may even be able to transport your bike. If not, locking up your bike and retrieving it the next day is a far better option than facing the consequences of a DUI.
Remember, all suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
