Allegedly drunk e-biker arrested in Sun Peak district

According to Chief Deputy Kacey Bates, a Summit County Sheriff’s deputy saw the man swerving in the Sun Peak neighborhood of Park City around 11 p.m. on July 14.

The arresting officer said they saw the biker nearly collide with cars and cross into oncoming traffic several times before they stopped him.

The officer arrested the man on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor.

Utah’s DUI law is geared toward motor vehicles, leaving it up to attorneys and judges whether to charge bicyclists. A Nevada man was convicted of DUI in 2008 after riding away from a bar in Vernal on his bicycle.

Other parts of the state law provide an exemption for Utah residents from having their driver’s license revoked if they commit alcohol- or drug-related offenses while riding a bicycle.

Utah law also only penalizes driving under the influence of alcohol on a Class 2 e-bike, the only recognized class of e-bike with a throttle. Persons on non-electric bicycles and other e-bikes are permitted to carry open containers.

Bates said the arresting officer’s report did not specify what type of e-bike the man was riding in Sun Peak.

As of Monday, the man is no longer in custody and no charges have been filed.