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Posted: 7/2/2012 6:10:27 PM EST
I know this is a crazy but I have often wondered about "party bikes" for lack of a better description and DUI's.

There is a 16 person bike on Tybee Island and I have often observed it peddled/powered by people who are obviously drunk. They are not steering it and the bike also has an auxiliary electric motor so peddling isn't necessary at all. That said, if a drunk has the ability to peddle at will thus directly affecting the bike's operation why isn't this considered DUI/DWI..???

Here is a link to the website so you can see a picture of the bike type apparatus powered by drunks.

FYI: I do not have a problem with the operator of the "party bike".

http://tybeeislandslowride.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/home_pic.jpg

td


Link Posted: 7/2/2012 6:14:55 PM EST
[#1]
40-6-391 says it has to be a motorized vehicle.  legs arent motors
Link Posted: 7/2/2012 6:17:45 PM EST
[#2]
Quoted:
40-6-391 says it has to be a motorized vehicle.  legs arent motors


Well, it does have an auxiliary electric motor..???

TD
Link Posted: 7/2/2012 6:21:17 PM EST
[#3]
You hear these stories about people getting DUI's on bikes.  By GA law you can not get a DUI or a Reckless Driving on bicycle.  (.)  As for the back up motor, hate to say it but it just maybe not worth dealing with.
Link Posted: 7/2/2012 6:25:00 PM EST
[#4]
Plenty of other charges you can make honestly. Although I did see recently where a cyclist was charged with vehicular homicide after running a red light and hitting an elderly pedestrian and killing him. Guess Anythings possible but I would make the case, under most circumstances.
Link Posted: 7/2/2012 7:21:51 PM EST
[#5]
Quoted:
Quoted:
40-6-391 says it has to be a motorized vehicle.  legs arent motors


Well, it does have an auxiliary electric motor..???

TD


No different than a dui on a golf cart, just ask Peachtree City Police.
Link Posted: 7/2/2012 8:02:16 PM EST
[#6]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
40-6-391 says it has to be a motorized vehicle.  legs arent motors


Well, it does have an auxiliary electric motor..???

TD


No different than a dui on a golf cart, just ask Peachtree City Police.

Yeah.  I was working down in Fayette when PTCPD arrested their city manager for DUI on a golf cart.
Link Posted: 7/2/2012 8:04:55 PM EST
[#7]
I live near, but outside the city limits of Savannah and don't travel there very frequently and likewise don't keep up on everything that goes on there.  But, I remember reading that there was controversy about this.  Seems Savannah city council has started to consider the appropriateness of these bikes.  Here's a link to the newspaper article:  Savannah Morning News Article
Link Posted: 7/3/2012 7:14:58 AM EST
[#8]
Quoted:
I know this is a crazy but I have often wondered about "party bikes" for lack of a better description and DUI's.

There is a 16 person bike on Tybee Island and I have often observed it peddled/powered by people who are obviously drunk. They are not steering it and the bike also has an auxiliary electric motor so peddling isn't necessary at all. That said, if a drunk has the ability to peddle at will thus directly affecting the bike's operation why isn't this considered DUI/DWI..???

Here is a link to the website so you can see a picture of the bike type apparatus powered by drunks.

FYI: I do not have a problem with the operator of the "party bike".

http://tybeeislandslowride.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/home_pic.jpg

td




I think the "driver" is the only only one that has any control over that "bike" or whatever it's called, and there is a brake pedal so it's not going anywhwere if the operator doesn't want it too.

ETA: I would not be surprised if the pedals only charge the batteries and power the motor.

Link Posted: 7/3/2012 7:42:34 AM EST
[#9]
The driver is with the rental company and does not drink, renters aren't allowed to drive, it's been all over the news in Savannah lately and even took the city council out on a trip one day to show how they operate, and they voted to allow them to continue but are still watching, or some legaleese mumbo jumbo version of that. There are 2 here, one in town and one at Tybee, and other cities have them as well. Here is the company http://savannahslowride.com

I'm assuming the non-motorized part is what allows you to drink and have an open container while peddling.
Link Posted: 7/3/2012 12:17:47 PM EST
[#10]
Quoted:
The driver is with the rental company and does not drink, renters aren't allowed to drive, it's been all over the news in Savannah lately and even took the city council out on a trip one day to show how they operate, and they voted to allow them to continue but are still watching, or some legaleese mumbo jumbo version of that. There are 2 here, one in town and one at Tybee, and other cities have them as well. Here is the company http://savannahslowride.com

I'm assuming the non-motorized part is what allows you to drink and have an open container while peddling.


As far as I know the cycles have an auxiliary electric motor so the non-motorized theory won't fly.

Understand, this is just one of those things that makes me go hmmmm......

I don't have a problem with the cycles...

TD
Link Posted: 7/3/2012 2:33:34 PM EST
[#11]
If you were intoxicated a pedaling a non-motorized bike on a public roadway, I believe you can be charged with Pedestrian Under the Influence, or PUI.
Link Posted: 7/3/2012 6:12:18 PM EST
[#12]
Quoted:
If you were intoxicated a pedaling a non-motorized bike on a public roadway, I believe you can be charged with Pedestrian Under the Influence, or PUI.


But if you were simply providing power to replenish the battery for the electric drivetrain . . .



. . could that charge get you charged for charging under the influence?

Link Posted: 7/4/2012 4:23:34 AM EST
[#13]
Quoted:
If you were intoxicated a pedaling a non-motorized bike on a public roadway, I believe you can be charged with Pedestrian Under the Influence, or PUI.


But you are also directing the vehicle, in this case, steering a bike. On this tour, you can't steer it even if sober, you are never more than propulsion. What I don't know is how it's not open container. Maybe a speed thing, when its full, 12 people I think, and all are pedaling away, it's only moving a few mph.

Ah, just did a search of our paper's website and apparently they just decided to allow it because we allow open container on the streets, only adding seat belts starting July 1

http://savannahnow.com/news/2012-05-18/savannah-city-council-gives-final-ordinance-approval-quadracycles-seat-belts
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