New Information Shows More People In Charlotte Are Getting Hurt Drinking And Biking

CHARLOTTE, NC.– New information shows more people in Charlotte are getting hurt drinking and biking. The issue is getting attention as dock-less bike programs expand in the city.

As the weather gets nicer, and people hop on those bikes from bar to bar, some think it’s better than getting behind the wheel. But they can get a DWI if they’re over the .08 limit–just like drivers.

Travis Kirkland is the marketing manager at Hoppin. He urges people to be responsible when they drink. The latest stats from the North Carolina Department of Transportation show there were 126 bike crashes involving alcohol in Charlotte in 2015.

Many people don’t realize the same laws that apply when drinking and driving, apply on a bike while intoxicated. Even if you’re riding on a sidewalk and cross the street. You can even get a ticket for running a red light. Barry Love lives in South End, and told me, it’s pretty obvious when people are biking drunk.

“Right outside of where I live there’s a bike parked and you could tell he left it in the middle of the street where people walk in. it’s like was it put to the side,” says Love.<

CMPD says other penalties for riding a bike while drunk are 24 hours of community service, a $200 fine and getting your drivers license taken away for a year. Bottom line–when you drink and ride, you lose.

Of the 126 bike accidents in 2015, 90% involved injuries. In North Carolina, you only have to wear a helmet if you’re under 16 years old.