We clarify how much alcohol is permissible in your system when traveling on two wheels, when it becomes very expensive, and at what blood alcohol levels even your driver’s license is at risk.
Carnival parties, public festivals, or bar crawls—many people wisely leave the car behind and switch to a bicycle. However, even for two-wheeled transport, a simple rule applies: alcohol can quickly become a problem. We outline the blood alcohol limits established for cyclists and when to expect fines, penalty points, and license revocation.
The logic is simple: if you are celebrating, you do not get behind the wheel of a car. Most sensible people have internalized this. Many choose a bicycle instead, assuming taxis are too expensive and that the “iron steed” is subject to different rules. This is a dangerous underestimation. Cyclists are road users and are strictly obligated to follow specific regulations.
Alcohol and Bicycles: What Are the Limits for Riders?
For motorists, the situation is clear: from 0.5 per mille, you face fines and points; from 1.1 per mille, you are considered legally unfit to drive. According to data from the ADAC, the situation for cyclists is slightly different:
- From 0.3 per mille: Criminal prosecution may occur if there are visible signs of impairment (e.g., swerving, falling, or causing an accident).
- At 1.6 per mille: A cyclist is deemed “absolutely unfit to ride.” This is regularly classified as a criminal offense, resulting in heavy fines, points in the central register, and often a Medical-Psychological Assessment (MPU). Under certain circumstances, it leads to the loss of your driver’s license.
Important: If your riding is unsteady, you lose control, or you provoke an accident, criminal consequences can follow even at lower alcohol levels.
Penalties for Cyclists: From Fines to the MPU
Even if you only travel by bicycle, a run-in with the law can take a serious turn. Depending on the situation, you may face:
- Financial penalties or criminal fines;
- Penalty points in the Flensburg register;
- Revocation of your driver’s license.
The situation is particularly dire for those caught with 1.6 per mille or higher. In such cases, the licensing authority is notified and will mandate an MPU—the so-called “idiot test.” Those who fail this assessment will lose their driver’s license, even if they were not operating a motor vehicle at the time of the check.
Furthermore, even those without a driver’s license may be required to undergo the assessment. Every participant in road traffic must be able to prove their fitness to do so.
Cycling Accidents: Who is Liable When Intoxicated?
If an incident occurs on the way home from Carnival—such as a fall or a collision with a car or pedestrian—the issue of damages and insurance coverage becomes critical. In cases of significant intoxication, liability insurance providers may reduce payouts or file recourse claims, as the actions are recognized as “gross negligence.” Simply put: in cases of doubt, the offender will pay for a portion of the damage themselves, especially if other people or third-party property are harmed.
Carnival, E-Scooters, and Pedelecs
For e-scooters, the per mille limits are the same as for motorists—meaning the requirements are significantly stricter than for classic bicycles.
- E-bikes and pedelecs with speeds up to 25 km/h are generally treated as bicycles.
- Anything faster or requiring mandatory insurance is categorized as a motor vehicle, subject to stricter rules.
The safest option remains a blood alcohol level of zero when riding a bike or e-scooter. Those who call a taxi or ask a friend for a ride protect themselves from police trouble, costly damages, and accidents—and, most importantly, they get home safely.
Source: ADAC
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