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Riding a bike while intoxicated in Amsterdam?
Posted: Tue 3rd Nov 2009 12:09 am
by abcdabcd
This is probably a dumb question but, I'll just ask anyway for extra assurance. Is there a problem in Netherlands (Amsterdam/Haarlem areas specifically) about riding a bike after drinking or smoking? I guess you'd have to be falling off your bike or crashing into people/things to be noticed. I asked this question on a legal forum and they were saying the BAC limit is .05 and bicyclists are not permited to ride intoxicated but, I'm wondering how enforced it is since technically weed is not legal either but, it's tolerated.
Posted: Tue 3rd Nov 2009 01:13 am
by Bob2
loads ride and smoke some may crash, obviously if you feel like your gonna pass out dont ride
Posted: Tue 3rd Nov 2009 03:14 am
by abcdabcd
stuart1976 wrote:if you feel like your gonna pass out dont ride
Yeah that is obvious but, I was speaking from a legal stand point. If that is something that they enforce or try to look for.
Re: Riding a bike while intoxicated in Amsterdam?
Posted: Tue 3rd Nov 2009 05:29 pm
by happydaze777
abcdabcd wrote:This is probably a dumb question but, I'll just ask anyway for extra assurance. Is there a problem in Netherlands (Amsterdam/Haarlem areas specifically) about riding a bike after drinking or smoking? I guess you'd have to be falling off your bike or crashing into people/things to be noticed. I asked this question on a legal forum and they were saying the BAC limit is .05 and bicyclists are not permited to ride intoxicated but, I'm wondering how enforced it is since technically weed is not legal either but, it's tolerated.
I have never seen any enforcement of traffic rules. Motorcyclists don't wear helmets in Amsterdam and seem to get away with it just fine!
Its the fact that real Amsterdamers get well pissed off with stoned tourists blocking cycle lanes and generally creating mayhem in the city centre...
Posted: Tue 3rd Nov 2009 08:27 pm
by Kingdoc
They are tons of road deaths each year in the nederlands ie straght locals,Imagine a stoned tourist?.
Posted: Tue 3rd Nov 2009 09:26 pm
by sh@dy
weed is not toxic
Posted: Tue 3rd Nov 2009 09:49 pm
by Kingdoc
sh@dy wrote:weed is not toxic
Just sometimes your better not smoking lots when your not used to driving/cycling on the wrong side of the road & such
.
Posted: Wed 4th Nov 2009 10:05 am
by spidergawd
Well mate, riding a bike while HIGH is brilliant, but if you want to do it while you are wrecked then check your health card and insurance before you go. The health insurance companies love get-out clauses, and being majorly intoxicated or stoned might just give them what they need. Have fun, enjoy yourself and get home alive and in one piece.
Peace.
Posted: Wed 4th Nov 2009 10:16 am
by Boner
Pretty sure to ride a bike while under the influence of something is going to be illegal, all I know is I was told to use my lights at night as thats the main thing people get stopped for so thats what I did and didn't have any problems.
Re: Riding a bike while intoxicated in Amsterdam?
Posted: Wed 4th Nov 2009 11:14 am
by Marco
happydaze777 wrote:abcdabcd wrote:This is probably a dumb question but, I'll just ask anyway for extra assurance. Is there a problem in Netherlands (Amsterdam/Haarlem areas specifically) about riding a bike after drinking or smoking? I guess you'd have to be falling off your bike or crashing into people/things to be noticed. I asked this question on a legal forum and they were saying the BAC limit is .05 and bicyclists are not permited to ride intoxicated but, I'm wondering how enforced it is since technically weed is not legal either but, it's tolerated.
I have never seen any enforcement of traffic rules. Motorcyclists don't wear helmets in Amsterdam and seem to get away with it just fine!
Its the fact that real Amsterdamers get well pissed off with stoned tourists blocking cycle lanes and generally creating mayhem in the city centre...
Oh they enforce the traffic laws harshly here, on bikes too. THose riding without helmet are doing so on 49cc scooters, and its totally legal.
Posted: Thu 5th Nov 2009 06:53 pm
by abcdabcd
Ok, thanks for the tips. It sounds like I would be better off taking the bus or tram to/from coffeeshops instead of riding a bike.
So, for example let's say you get stopped at night on your bike for not having your lights on and you were leaving a bar after some drinking, would they bring out the breathalyzer and/or test you to see if you're intoxicated, etc..? Like they do to drivers here in the U.S.?
In the U.S. it doesn't matter if you're capable of driving after you've had some drinks, if you're over the limit, that's the bottom line and they'll take you in. So, I'm trying to figure out on bicycles how enforced it is over there, since I don't want to end up getting into any trouble over there.
I'm planning on staying over there for a few months and I'm trying to watch my expenses so I figured a bike would help reduce costs but, after doing some research their public transportation over there is so much better than ours, with buses/trams running so frequently and even during night hours. It would probably be easier and worth the convenience to just use the public transportation system over there.
Posted: Thu 5th Nov 2009 07:00 pm
by happydaze777
bud, you will be fine. Law enforcement is nothing like the US!
Posted: Thu 5th Nov 2009 07:01 pm
by geoffk
I think if you're gonna live there, you're gonna want to ride a bike. It's pretty easy, really. You can pick up a used bike, NOT off the street. Then sell it back.
Posted: Thu 5th Nov 2009 07:34 pm
by Marco
abcdabcd wrote:Ok, thanks for the tips. It sounds like I would be better off taking the bus or tram to/from coffeeshops instead of riding a bike.
So, for example let's say you get stopped at night on your bike for not having your lights on and you were leaving a bar after some drinking, would they bring out the breathalyzer and/or test you to see if you're intoxicated, etc..? Like they do to drivers here in the U.S.?
In the U.S. it doesn't matter if you're capable of driving after you've had some drinks, if you're over the limit, that's the bottom line and they'll take you in. So, I'm trying to figure out on bicycles how enforced it is over there, since I don't want to end up getting into any trouble over there.
I'm planning on staying over there for a few months and I'm trying to watch my expenses so I figured a bike would help reduce costs but, after doing some research their public transportation over there is so much better than ours, with buses/trams running so frequently and even during night hours. It would probably be easier and worth the convenience to
just use the public transportation system over there.
My friend get a bike. PM me and I can hook you up with a used bike from a few shops or persons in my neighborhood. Have no worries about getting stopped just use lights at night and be careful.
Seriously, PM me and I will be happy to give you any tips or connections about Amsterdam you need.
Re: Riding a bike while intoxicated in Amsterdam?
Posted: Thu 5th Nov 2009 07:38 pm
by geoffk
Marco wrote:THose riding without helmet are doing so on 49cc scooters, and its totally legal.
It's those damn scooters that spook me, especially as they use the bike lanes.