This guide is for general information only and is not legal advice. Laws change — verify current rules with your state DOT or a licensed attorney before relying on this for any legal matter. Read full disclaimer.
The rule
In Wisconsin, the DUI statute does not apply to bicyclists — it covers motor-vehicle operators only. Wisconsin's operating-while-intoxicated statute (Wis. Stat. § 346.63) applies only to a person who operates a 'motor vehicle' under the influence. Because a bicycle is not a motor vehicle in Wisconsin, the OWI statute does not reach bicycle riders. An impaired cyclist may still be cited for public intoxication or reckless conduct. See Wis. Stat. § 346.63 (Operating under influence of intoxicant — motor vehicle).
A DUI charge isn't on the table for cyclists in Wisconsin, but that's not a license to ride drunk — public-intoxication, reckless-conduct, and disorderly-conduct charges can still apply, and cycling impaired dramatically raises crash risk.