If you are found riding a bicycle while alcohol -impaired anywhere in Colorado, you could be arrested and charged with a DUI. These cases are rare, but can occur, if police officers find that you are riding in a legally intoxicated state. As DUI defense attorneys, we know that these charges are very serious.
Remember, when you are riding after having a few alcohol beverages, your judgment is impaired, and your reflexes slower. You’re much more likely to be involved in an accident, or behave in a manner that increases the risk of accidents for motorists around you. If such behavior results in an accident, and if police at the scene find that you were legally intoxicated, they could charge you with DUI.
You might feel that you have a much better chance of getting home safe after a few alcoholic beverages if you are riding a bicycle instead of driving a motor vehicle. While officers are not very likely to pull over a bicyclist on suspicion of DUI, it doesn’t mean that it is safer you to ride a bicycle while intoxicated.
Not only are you at risk of making the kind of driving mistakes that increase your risk of an accident and an arrest, but you could also place other motorists at risk of an accident.
Why can you be arrested for a DUI when you’re riding a bicycle? Under Colorado law, any person who is operating a motor vehicle, under the influence of alcohol, can face DUI charges. These are serious charges, and depending on several factors, you could be eligible for a variety of penalties that range all the way from prison time, fines, alcohol education and even suspension of your license. You might be surprised to find out that you can be arrested for DUI while riding a bike, however it is the law. In fact, you can be arrested for DUI if you are operating an all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile, golf cart–and even a lawnmower! Granted this is not a question that many motorists in Colorado will struggle with, or even address. However, under Colorado law, the definition for DUI is driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, which could possibly include, yes, a lawnmower.
That’s exactly what happened to a man in Colorado. Police officers found the man riding his lawnmower on a very busy street in Garden City. When they stopped him, they found that he was severely intoxicated. He showed severe signs of intoxication, and could barely stand on his own.
Such bizarre DUI incidents are not exactly unheard of. In other instances across the country, persons have been arrested for DUI after they were found riding lawn mowers, and even a motorized La-Z-Boy lounge chair. While they provide humorous fodder for the media, and for the public, these cases also provide very interesting challenges for Denver DUI defense lawyers.
If you are arrested for DUI, speak with a Denver DUI lawyer. Don’t ignore DUI charges- a conviction can remain permanently on your record. Talk immediately with a Denver criminal defense attorney.
