Beer lovers the world over can heave a sigh of relief today knowing that the city of Amsterdam has decided to let the beer bikes continue swerving through the narrow streets despite several accidents and nearly worldwide shaking of the head at such questionable judgement.
The beer bike will ride on in Amsterdam.
The outsized bikes, seating groups of people around a central bar, are something of a fixture in the city’s center. But two accidents within two months prompted the city councillor responsible for transport to launch an investigation in June.
Following that review the city has decided to allow the bikes to carry on riding, a city spokesman said Saturday.
They will, however, need permits from the various city boroughs, and those permits are likely to come with restrictions on hours of operation and requirements for a sober driver.
While non-drinkers already typically steer the bikes, their size has also been an issue in some cases on the city centre’s narrow streets. One of the better-known operators, PartyFiets.nl, offers two-hour tours on bikes that seat up to 22 people and carry 30 litres (7.9 gallons) of beer.
Not so lenient and understanding is the U.S. state of Utah which plans to send those caught driving and texting to prison for up to 15 years.
It views the act is inherently reckless and punishes it as harshly as drunk driving.
Passed after a texting driver killed two scientists, the law would put texting while driving in the same legal category as drunk driving if any crash happens. It’s a far stronger law than most of those already existing in other states; California’s, for example, punishes offenders with a tiny fine, usually around $20.
In Utah, if you were to crash while texting, the punishment could be extremely severe—up to 15 years in prison.
Finally, WE’RE ALL GOING TO DIE!
Doctors are reporting a severe form of swine flu that goes straight to the lungs, causing severe illness in otherwise healthy young people and requiring expensive hospital treatment, the World Health Organization said Friday.
