German Court Rules Against Bans on Cycling and E-Scooter Use for Intoxicated Riders

The North Rhine-Westphalia Higher Administrative Court determined that such bans lack legal basis and disproportionately restrict personal mobility.

The North Rhine-Westphalia Higher Administrative Court ruled that intoxicated individuals caught riding bicycles or e-scooters cannot be banned from using these vehicles in the future.
The court found that the current legal framework, the Driver's License Ordinance, does not provide sufficient grounds for prohibiting the use of license-free vehicles such as bicycles or e-scooters.
The decision emphasized that such bans infringe on the constitutionally protected right to personal mobility and are not proportional, as these vehicles are generally less dangerous than motor vehicles.
The ruling aligns with similar decisions from courts in Bavaria and Rhineland-Palatinate, indicating a broader judicial consensus on the issue.
While the main legal cases are still pending in lower courts, the Higher Administrative Court's decision suggests it is unlikely to change its stance in future rulings.