Can You Get a DUI on an E-Bike?
Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are becoming more and more popular as a way to get around town. They are eco-friendly, cost-effective, and fun. But is riding an e-bike the same as driving a car? Can you get a DUI on an e-bike? In this blog post from our team at The Donahue Law Firm in Bend, we will explore the laws surrounding electric bikes and DUIs. Keep reading to learn more about e-bike DUIs and how our DUI attorneys can help.
Will Riding an E-Bike Drunk Get You a DUI?
The short answer: Yes (at least in the State of Oregon). You can absolutely get a DUI on an e-bike. In fact, the laws surrounding DUIs on electric bikes are the same as for cars and regular bicycles. With Bend, Oregon being one of the first towns in Oregon to offer rentable e-bikes it’s unclear how aggressive law enforcement will be at stopping e-bikes. There are also some potentially unique defenses to e-bike DUI allegations that differ from a normal DUI. That being said, so long as you are on “a highway, or premises open to the public”, know that it is currently illegal to ride an e-bike while under the influence of alcohol, or drugs.
What Are the Penalties for Getting a DUI on an E-Bike?
If you ride an e-bike while intoxicated, you could face serious penalties including jail time, fines, and a DUI on your record. The penalties will vary depending on whether or not you’ve had a DUI before and on the specific facts of the situation. Take a look at our Oregon DUII Penalties for more information on what DUI convictions can look like in Oregon.
Are There Any Other Laws That Apply to E-Bikes?
Yes — in addition to DUI laws, there are also other laws that apply to e-bikes. For example, in some states, e-bikes are classified as “motorized vehicles” and must follow the same rules of the road as cars. In Oregon, as of the date of this article, e-bikes fall into the same category as bicycles. This means the same rules of the road that apply to bikes, apply to e-bikes. Some of these laws are the same rules as for cars, while recent variations have been added for bikes, such as yielding at stop signs rather than being required to come to a complete stop, like cars and trucks.
Advice for Bike Riders Regarding DUI Laws
If you or someone you know have been charged with a DUI while riding an e-bike in Bend, Oregon or Central Oregon, our Bend DUI attorneys can help. Our DUI attorneys have extensive experience in DUI cases. While not every case results in a dismissal, Donahue Law Firm DUI attorneys know how to attack the technical issues in DUI cases and successfully achieve regular DUI dismissals and Not Guilty verdicts at trial. Contact us at The Donahue Law Firm today for an e-bike DUI consultation.
Have you or someone you know been charged with a DUI while riding an e-bike in the Bend, Oregon area? Our Bend DUI attorney can help. Contact us at The Donahue Law Firm today for an e-bike DUI consultation.