Cyclists 10 times more likely to be injured after drinking alcohol

Drinking alcohol before riding makes cyclists ten times more likely to be injured, according to statistics.
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Figures show that cyclists who are impaired by alcohol are more likely to hurt themselves in a fall, are less likely to wear a helmet and are much more likely to be severely injured or killed than sober cyclists.

While cyclists would not be legally subject to a roadside breathalyzer test if they are stopped by the police, they should still take caution if they are planning on pedalling home from the pub.

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Suzannah Robin, an alcohol safety expert at AlcoDigital, works with dozens of local authorities and councils helping them to address their drug and alcohol testing requirements through certified training programmes.

She said: “We generally associate the dangers of drink-driving with getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, however, the risks to cyclists are just as profound.

“As with driving, riding a bike whilst under the influence of drink or drugs is an offence if a cyclist is impaired to the extent that it makes them unfit to do so.

“You are three times more likely to have an accident in a motor vehicle after just one drink so there is no reason why it would be any different for controlling a bicycle.

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“Any amount of alcohol will decrease a person’s coordination and ability to react so we would urge cyclists to think carefully before pedalling anywhere after drinking.

“Although there is no UK drink-drive limit for cyclists the only safe limit is zero.

“The only way to know that your system is totally free of alcohol is to use a breathalyzer - single use kits can be picked up in fuel stations for as little as £2.99.”

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