[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/europe/7994857.stm] Under a law passed in 2000 in Poland, anyone riding a bike under the influence of alcohol faces a fine or up to two years in prison, depending on the level of their intoxication. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1063/1181263119_2c36eba7a8.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 200px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1063/1181263119_2c36eba7a8.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>This law was engineered (for not to say doctored) before access of Poland to the EU: one of the requirements, imposed by the EU on its candidate members was to increase the detectability of the crimes. The cyclists became a scapegoats... This law, which equals the cyclist after two beers with a drunk driver of 20 ton truck or bus full of people, received a wholehearted welcome by police force officers, especially on the countryside. It is a way easier (and safer) to arrest a local farmer John, returning home by bike after closing of bar, than to stop the car, which might be full of the thugs in track suits or -- even worse -- its driver could be a Member of Parliament (which is quite often phenomenon and means troubles for every policeman)... This law was proceeded to the Constitutional Court, as absurd and draconian and which can drag whole families into poverty -- currently two thousand Poles (mainly fathers of the families) are in prison for riding a bicycle whilst under the influence of alcohol. In spite of this, Poland's Constitutional Court upheld a ruling that drunken cyclists should be tried as criminals, treated like drunken motorists and face prison if caught. The average sentence for riding a bike after booze is 11.5 months imprisonment. There was claim that intoxicated cyclists should be treated like drunken pedestrians, who face a fine rather than jail, as both use their own muscles to achieve motion. The Constitutional Court (lead by the chairwoman, a typical car-bound person), ruled that cyclists use public roads and are considerably more dangerous because of the speed they can travel. Drunken pedestrians use the public roads too and I would not exaggerate the speed of the drunken cyclists. Taking into account that the energy (hence the possible damage) equals mass time velocity [M x V], the mass of the cyclist rarely exceeds 100 kilograms and the speed decreases with the level of alcohol in blood... The whole affair unveils the approach of Polish authorities to the cycling in general. Both the cyclist, as the motorist in Poland could have 0,2 promille of alcohol in blood. In Germany the cyclist could have 1,6 promille of alcohol (and the car driver -- 0,5 promille). In Poland in road accidents with alcohol in background, ca. 86% of them caused drunken car drivers and only in 14% of them have been involved drunken cyclists. In majority of the accidents with drunken drivers casualties or heavy injuries occurred. In accidents with the drunken cyclists the number of injuries and casualties was much more lower, and the victims have been often the cyclists alone. In Polish prisons is jailed ca. 1931 people caught for cycling after booze (some more wait in the custody). Cost of keeping them in prisons equals about EUR 10 to 12 million per year. For those money Poland could build about 250 kilometers of cycle paths along the most busy national roads. Link: <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/europe/7994857.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/europe/7994857.stm</a> <blockquote>This contribution by our vigilant Eyes on the Street reporter in Warsaw, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/00502332005772456451">Marek Utkin</a>. As to the photo we have been unable to ascertain if the cyclist pictured is drunk. Or for that matter Polish. Our investigations continue. Your editor.</blockquote> -- Posted By Eric Britton (Paris, France) to <a href="http://newmobilityagenda.blogspot.com/2009/04/honk-polish-cyclists-cant-drink-and.html">World Streets</a> at 4/12/2009 08:47:00 AM