Too few cyclists know this, yet this offense can cost them much more than a fine.
Did you know that a bicycle user cannot lose points on his driving license, regardless of the seriousness of the offense he commits on the road? Run a red light? 135 euros. Using your Smartphone while pedaling? 135 euros? Driving on the sidewalk? 135 euros. A motorist, for the same offenses, will pay a fine of a similar amount but will have several points removed from their driving license. With the risk of losing them all and having his license invalidated for a minimum period of 6 months during which he will be prohibited from driving a car.
Why is the legislation more flexible with cyclists? It considers that there cannot be a withdrawal of points on a driving license in the case of an offense committed on a vehicle which does not itself require obtaining a driving license. to drive. The fact remains that the Highway Code can sometimes seem less punitive towards cyclists than motorists. However, there are rare offenses committed while cycling which can result in very heavy penalties.
Among these offenses, there is one that we observe quite frequently on the streets. More often in the evening than during the day, or even at the start of the night. Indeed, as with drivers of motorized vehicles, some people do not hesitate to mount their faithful steed after having consumed alcohol. A few drinks during a afterwork or a slightly drunken restaurant with friends is enough to exceed the limit of 0.5 grams of alcohol per liter of blood set by the Highway Code. In France, it is in fact prohibited to drive with an alcohol level greater than or equal to 0.5 grams per liter of blood and this rule applies to all road users, including those traveling by bicycle and even on a scooter.
But many cyclists are unaware of what exactly they risk if they are stopped on their bike while leaving a bar. If they have exceeded the authorized alcohol threshold, their return journey can cost them dearly. To begin with, it was impossible to escape a fine of 135 euros. But above all, if the police consider that their behavior could endanger the lives of others then they will quickly find you before the judge. And there the sanction can lead to the outright suspension of the driving license.
While some people who travel by bike do not have a driving license, this is not the case for everyone. For some cyclists, the car remains essential for daily life and the suspension of their license turns out to be a real hassle.