Now that spring has sprung, and the warmer weather invites picnics in the park and jaunts to the local pub by bicycle, it seems a good time to brush up on the law surrounding cycling and alcohol.
In law, a bicycle is defined as a carriage for use on the highway, but cyclists are not in charge of ‘mechanically propelled‘ vehicles so, in law, do not have to adhere to exactly the same rules as motorists, including ‘drink drive’ rules. While it’s probably true that the proverbial swift half will not lead to a massive impairment in your ability to ride, Section 30 Road Traffic Act 1988 says: ‘It is an offence for a person to ride a cycle on a road or other public place when unfit to ride through drink or drugs.’
That is to say, is under the influence of a drink or a drug to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the cycle. If you ride drunk you risk endangering yourself and possibly others and can be fined by up to £2,500.
For this and other useful legal advice, see our guide to cycling and the law
Carrying bottles by bicycle
Hanging a heavy carrier bag from your handlebars while riding a bike can be a recipe for disaster, so what better solution to the problem of transporting bottles of beer by bicycle than a mallet holder?
Geoffrey Franklin started Walnut Studio because he was unable to find the leather accessories he needed for his bikes. The range of products he now makes by hand to order includes a leather holder to secure bike polo mallets to the bike’s top tube – it just so happens that the design doubles up very nicely as a way of carrying a pack of beer bottles.
Best of the rest…
Derringer cycles have adapted the classic bicycle bottle holder to accept a drinks flask.
The Handlebar Minibar holds two tiny drinks flasks inside the handlebars by a plastic plug. The design is not intended for regular use, but for when needs must; each flask holds 5 ml, which is no more than a sip. It’s the equivalent of a teaspoonful or one fifth of a standard single 25 ml shot.
Muddyteeth
While not in anyway condoning cycling while drunk, it is perhaps worth noting that cyclists are completely within their right to refuse a breathalyser test.