GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A Grand Rapids man faces a drunken driving charge after he was caught driving an electrical bicycle alongside US-131, authorities say.
It occurred June 14 within the northbound lanes of the highway close to Ann Street. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker stated the person was driving the Lime bicycle on the shoulder and weaving out and in of the site visitors lane.
“We’ve got a bike operating on a freeway, which clearly it’s probably more dangerous for the biker on the freeway, but you don’t know what the chain reaction causes. Somebody swerves because they’re trying to avoid a bike and goes into a another car and then you’ve got a complete disaster on your hands depending on who’s driving what vehicle and how many people are involved,” Becker stated.
The 27-year-old, whose identify News 8 shouldn’t be utilizing as a result of he has not but been arraigned, faces a charge below Michigan’s “super drunk” legislation. It’s a misdemeanor of working with a excessive blood alcohol content material degree, however carries stiffer penalties. Authorities say his BAC was .19, greater than twice the authorized restrict of .08.
The metropolis doesn’t monitor the variety of drunken driving incidents involving e-scooters and bikes.
“Like with all modes of transportation, the City encourages people to have a plan in place before socializing like designating a designated driver or using The Rapid and DASH bus services or a ride share service,” the Mobile GR division stated in an e mail to News 8.
In an announcement, Lime stated it has banned the person from its app completely. The firm additionally famous that “99.99%” of its rides globally are accomplished safely.
It says it makes use of geofencing and different options to stop improper or intoxicated driving. The metropolis stated Lime can’t geofence US-131 as a result of it might affect different close by streets like Bridge or Pearl.