how many people started commuting because of alcohol?
#26
Seņior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
Likes: 10
From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Not me. Can't stand alcohol; the merest hint of alcohol in something makes me just about retch. I tried to "acquire the taste" in college but never did. Can't bear coffee either; yuck.
I started riding because I like to ride. I keep riding for the same reason, plus I like that it's taken 20 pounds off me and kept me looking pretty good with no extra work, plus the main reason these days is environmentalism, though that's not much of why I started.
I started riding because I like to ride. I keep riding for the same reason, plus I like that it's taken 20 pounds off me and kept me looking pretty good with no extra work, plus the main reason these days is environmentalism, though that's not much of why I started.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#28
Belt drive!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,614
Likes: 0
From: Burlington, Vermont
Bikes: 2011 Trek Soho DLX
Not me either. But one of our neighbors did say they were wondering if I'd lost my license or something when I was riding in the pouring rain. 
Nah, I drink like a fish, but I stay away from the car when I do. Not only for the obvious reasons, but when the FAA gets wind of a DUI, they tend to yank the offender's pilot certificate for a while.

Nah, I drink like a fish, but I stay away from the car when I do. Not only for the obvious reasons, but when the FAA gets wind of a DUI, they tend to yank the offender's pilot certificate for a while.
#29
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 593
Likes: 1
From: Syracuse, NY
I think many commuters who do start commuting because of a DUI related offense don't generally seek forums for education and comradery. Ergo, posing the question to this forum will not illicit many responses indicating that the specified poster is part of that group.
#30
These go to 11.
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Bikes: 06' Trek 7.5 FX, '09 Dawes Steel SST
I don't know if there are many people riding bicycles around here due to losing their license, but many moped riders appear to fall into that category. Many bicycle commuters in this area are Hispanic immigrants on department store mt. bikes. Most fast food restaurants have a few such bikes parked near the back doors.
It's like that around here. I've seen more & more moped riders over the past year along with immigrants on x-mart bikes. I can only assume that most of the moped riders have lost the license due to a DUI/DWI because Maryland has very stringent laws regarding drunk driving & the judges in my county are particularly tough on DUI/DWI cases. The moped riders at least follow the flow of traffic where as 95% of the x-mart bikers I see are wrong way cyclist. I have a nice long hill on my way to work & occasionally get the chance to "race" a moped up, sometimes I actually win.
#31
I live in a town where the college a couple of big computer companies are the primary employers, and you can spot the DUI people really quickly. They ride all kinds of bikes, but tend to wear camouflage or ranching/farming jackets, no helmet but usually a baseball cap with a tobacco/beer/nascar/farm-equipment/muscle-car/Harley Davidson logo, sometimes work or cowboy boots, a big chain wallet, and maybe a belt-knife. They also glare at all of the guys in roadie gear.
I think that a vast majority of these guys are decent and likable guys, but there is a definite class structure here, for some reason. Non techie and college-types find it hard to make enough money to live here, and they harbor a lot of resentment towards "yuppy types". I know a couple of them, and they actually dress like that ONLY when they ride their bikes. It is like a badge of courage, or something.
Why to people spend so much time and effort on something negative like that? I don't get it.
I think that a vast majority of these guys are decent and likable guys, but there is a definite class structure here, for some reason. Non techie and college-types find it hard to make enough money to live here, and they harbor a lot of resentment towards "yuppy types". I know a couple of them, and they actually dress like that ONLY when they ride their bikes. It is like a badge of courage, or something.
Why to people spend so much time and effort on something negative like that? I don't get it.
#33
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 24,360
Likes: 6
From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
I gog drunk one night an woke up wiff a frookin bicycle. Now I can't get rid 'o da biatch. <*hic*>
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
#34
simply bikin'
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
From: Asheville, NC
Bikes: 2009 Specialized Roubaix Pro; 2009 Specialized Tricross Sport; 2009 Specialized Rockhopper 29er Comp; 2006 Flyte Arsenal; 2001 Bianchi Reparto Corse Boron XL; 2007 Raleigh One Way; 1986 Raleigh Alyeska Touring
It's like that around here. I've seen more & more moped riders over the past year along with immigrants on x-mart bikes. I can only assume that most of the moped riders have lost the license due to a DUI/DWI because Maryland has very stringent laws regarding drunk driving & the judges in my county are particularly tough on DUI/DWI cases. The moped riders at least follow the flow of traffic where as 95% of the x-mart bikers I see are wrong way cyclist. I have a nice long hill on my way to work & occasionally get the chance to "race" a moped up, sometimes I actually win. 

#35
__________________
"He who serves all, best serves himself" Jack London
#36
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,369
Likes: 0
From: Reston, VA
Bikes: 2003 Giant OCR2
#37
genec
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 27,072
Likes: 4,533
From: West Coast
Bikes: custom built, sannino, beachbike, giant trance x2
How about something nearly the opposite... I got back into cycling because a girl friend biked... I quit smoking because I wanted to cycle more...
So no connection with DUI, but cycling has indeed had a positive effect on my life.
So no connection with DUI, but cycling has indeed had a positive effect on my life.
#38
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 467
Likes: 0
I've found life to be a bit boring lately and am branching out into different things. I'm also convinced that my quality of life will be much higher if I am committed to physical fitness as a way of life (right now its an on again off again affair, I'm ready to marry).
Cycling also makes me feel good. Its a total mood elevator for me. Kind of like how surfers get into surfing to reach a peaceful place.
Also, passing stopped rush hour traffic makes me want to grin and laugh. Yeah i'm like that.
Cycling also makes me feel good. Its a total mood elevator for me. Kind of like how surfers get into surfing to reach a peaceful place.
Also, passing stopped rush hour traffic makes me want to grin and laugh. Yeah i'm like that.
#39
This town needs an enema.
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
From: Huntington Beach, Ca.
Bikes: Bridgestone 400
I really doubt you'd find nearly any DUI recipients on the Commuting section of BF. Most people are on this forum because they are passionate about their chosen mode of transportation.
I've come across a couple people on my commutes that received DUIs. I don't dress in the full cycling garb so I don't think most of them dress much differently than me, but their attitude is that of cycle commuting as a temporary inconvenience rather than a pathway to a better person.
I've come across a couple people on my commutes that received DUIs. I don't dress in the full cycling garb so I don't think most of them dress much differently than me, but their attitude is that of cycle commuting as a temporary inconvenience rather than a pathway to a better person.
#40
Blasted Weeds
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 2
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: Trek 1200C, Specialized Rockhopper, Giant Yukon FX, Giant Acapulco
I've had a few leetle arguments with some people at a bar I used to bartend in - due to a couple of people who purchased bicycles to get around from local bar to bar versus using their motorcycle - yeah guys - you can get a drinking while driving infraction. One acquaintance did - and he was quite surprised (he was riding road and was in the left lane to make a left, evidently and that's when he was nailed) - not sure how it panned out but he was initially hit with a DUI.
Just gotta luv some of these people at the old mom and pops bars!
Just gotta luv some of these people at the old mom and pops bars!
#42
#43
Trans-Urban Velocommando
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,400
Likes: 0
From: Lenexa, KS
Bikes: 06 Trek 1200 - 98 DB Outlook - 99 DB Sorrento
I started bike commuting when my car went on the fritz and the part was on national back-order, but now I can afford more alcohol. Does that count?
#45
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: Boulder, CO
Bikes: Giant OCR C1, Univega Via Montega
Years ago I moved to the Florida Keys. When I first got there I saw all these people riding bikes everywhere, and I'm thinking, "Wow, look how enviromental these peole are!" Turns out they mostly have lost there license due to DUI. Big problem with drugs and alcohol in the Keys.
#46
64°08′N 21°56′W
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Reykjavik, Iceland
Not me. I started riding (mountain biking) for fitness and sport, figured that if weekend and night rides were good, then year round daily commuting would be better. For the record I don't drink and drive, never have and never will. Well, actually I do drink and drive, just not at the same time. Beer is so much more guiltless when you ride every day
#47
No DUI here. Heck, I don't even drink anyway. I started commuting because I HATE driving. But what I hate even more than driving is paying a lot of money to do something I hate...like driving.
Plus I needed to get into better shape and save some money. It's working out well so far.
Plus I needed to get into better shape and save some money. It's working out well so far.
#48
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Personally I'd rather see funny dressed people on "x-mart" bikes riding around or commuting, rather than breaking the law by driving without a license. I know people that would rather drive without a license than use public transportation or ride a bike.
#50
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia, PA
I didn't start because of a DUI but because my car and then my wife's car broke down within 4 months of eachother. We needed to buy her a new one and she wanted me to get a used one but the price in Philly for a used car w/100,000 plus miles on it is about $5000 or better. Ridiculous. So I decided to go car free, use public transportation and buy a bike. I'm lucky I'm only 4 miles from my place of business.




