Can you get a DUI on horseback, bicycle or e-bike in IL? What the law says
Illinois state law prohibits people from driving with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, but what about riding a horse, bicycle or electric bicycle after drinking?
The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office reports it’s dangerous to drive under the influence due to how alcohol affects vision and reaction speed. Although it’s legal to drive with a BAC under 0.08, alcohol still “affects your driving even if you are below the level of illegal intoxication.”
Even non-motorized bikes can be relatively fast-moving, and horseback riding can also be high-speed and comes with its own risks that could be heightened by alcohol use. In some states, including Kentucky, riding a horse while drunk can result in DUI charges.
DUI convictions can result in a loss of driving privileges, imprisonment, community service and thousands of dollars in fines in Illinois, depending on whether someone has prior convictions.
Here’s a primer on what Illinois state law says about getting a DUI while riding a horse, bicycle or e-bike.
Can you get a DUI while riding a bike, e-bike or horse in Illinois?
Illinois DUI laws apply to people on e-bikes, but not those riding a non-motorized bicycle or a horse, according to the state police.
“In Illinois, the DUI laws are specific to people who are operating a vehicle and so if it’s an e-bike, technically that is a motorized vehicle,” Teri Ross, executive director of Illinois Legal Aid Online, said in an Aug. 8 interview with the News-Democrat.
Because people propel themselves on standard bicycles and those are not motorized, they are not included under Illinois’ DUI laws, Ross said. Illinois law’s definition of a vehicle excludes “devices moved by human power,” so DUI charges would not apply.
Illinois State Police Trooper Shafer McKune confirmed to the BND via email Aug. 13, “you cannot be charged with DUI on a horse in Illinois” and “you cannot be charged with DUI on a non-motorized bicycle in Illinois.”
If you witness dangerous driving by a motorist who appears to be intoxicated, you can report them to the Illinois State Police with the location you are calling from, the time, location, direction of travel and a description of the suspected drunk driver and the vehicle’s make, color and license plate number.
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