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18+ topic. What is the alcohol limit for cycling in Denmark?

No promille limit, but drunk cycling is punished.

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Short answer

18+ topic. Danish law has no fixed promille limit for ordinary bikes. Instead you may not ride or try to ride a bike if alcohol, drugs or other causes mean you cannot ride it safely, and this is punished under the Road Traffic Act. The fixed limit of 0.50 promille applies to motor vehicles, and it also covers small mopeds and speed pedelecs. It is also not allowed to hand over a bike to someone who cannot ride it safely for the same reasons.

Transport and mobility

Why

  1. No fixed limit for ordinary bikes.
  2. Riding unsafely because of drink is a crime.
  3. Speed pedelecs follow the 0.50 promille limit.

Details

Drunk cycling on an ordinary bike is punished under section 118 of the Road Traffic Act, while drink riding on a small moped or speed pedelec falls under the rules for motor vehicles.

Tip

After a night out, walk the bike or take public transport and fetch the bike the next day.

What may differ

There is no promille line, so the police and courts judge whether you were able to ride safely.

Common misconception

In Denmark you can drink as much as you like and still cycle home.

What actually happens

If drink means you cannot ride safely, cycling is a punishable offence even without a fixed limit.

People also ask

  • What are the rules for speed pedelecs in Denmark?
  • What is the drink-drive limit in Denmark?
  • Can you ride two abreast on a bike in Denmark?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Cycling rules and services can change, so check the official sources before you ride.

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