The German Green Party has called for a tighter blood‑alcohol limit for cyclists. Transport spokesperson Swantje Michaelsen told the “Rheinische Post” that the Greens would support an additional limit of 1.1 ‰. Presently the country’s threshold is 1.6 ‰, which is defined as absolute impairment of driving ability. Michaelsen stressed that cycling overall needs to become safer and that stricter alcohol rules for motorists would complement any new cyclist limit. She also urged a rapid expansion of safe, continuous bike‑paths.
In the debate, Stephan Stracke, the CDU/CSU deputy parliamentary group leader, added that cyclists’ cannabis use should be scrutinised as seriously as alcohol. “Both substances pose the same safety risk to cycling” he said. He further argued that the current blood‑alcohol limits for cyclists deserve review, especially since the Federal Statistical Office reports a steady rise in alcohol‑related bicycle accidents.
The CDU/CSU vice‑chairman in charge of transportation highlighted the risk of cyclists getting on rides while intoxicated: “It is taken lightly to hop on a bike while drunk and thereby endanger oneself and others”.
A recent poll carried out for the German Road Safety Council showed that a majority of respondents support a stricter blood‑alcohol limit for cyclists.
