Pedelec driver falls in Schwelm: drunk driving confirmed!

Pedelec driver falls in Schwelm: drunk driving confirmed!

A traffic accident on July 3, 2025 on Jesinghauser Straße in Schwelm caused a stir. At around 5:45 p.m., a 39-year-old Pedelec rider from Wuppertal fell after slipping onto the road. The man sustained minor injuries and had to be taken to hospital. When the accident was recorded, the suspicion that he was under the influence of alcohol was quickly raised, which was supported by an alcohol test with a value of over 0.3 per mille. A blood sample was taken for more detailed examination, as Radio Ennepe Ruhr reports.

But what is the legal situation for Pedelec drivers who are behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol? The Karlsruhe Higher Regional Court has presented repetitions on this topic. According to current regulations, a Pedelec that is equipped with an electric motor of up to 250 W and whose assistance switches off at 25 km/h is not considered a motor vehicle. This results in a different alcohol limit: For Pedelec riders, the limit for absolute inability to drive is 1.6 per mille, in contrast to the 1.1 per mille for other motor vehicle drivers ([kanzlei-rinklin.de](https://www.kanzlei-rinklin.de/2025/01/22/e-bike- Alcohol-promillelimit-bei-16-%E2%80%B0/)).

The legal gray areas

This regulation has already been discussed several times in the past. A case from May 9, 2018, in which a Pedelec rider collided with a female cyclist, ended with the defendant being acquitted with a blood alcohol concentration of 1.59 per mille because the courts did not provide sufficient evidence of his unfitness to drive (kanzlei-kaempf.net). It is generally accepted that the stricter blood alcohol limits for motor vehicles do not necessarily apply to Pedelecs.

However, for drivers of S-Pedelecs, which are more powerful (up to 500 W) and are considered mopeds, the same rules apply as for other motor vehicle drivers. Here the legal alcohol limits are identical (1.1 per mille) and drivers face additional requirements such as insurance and the requirement to wear a helmet.

In the context of this legal situation, the accident on Jesinghauser Strasse shows how important it is to know your own limits and to avoid driving while impaired. Scientific findings about the effects of alcohol on Pedelec drivers are still lacking, and therefore the debate about the alcohol limit for this type of vehicle remains exciting and complex.

In conclusion, it can be said that despite the legal regulations, good behavior on the road is always crucial. The incident in Schwelm reminds us of the responsibility each of us has on the road and that smart decisions can protect lives.