Students planning on bicycling home through the streets of State College after a long night of drinking: beware.

That's the message the State College Police Department and Penn State Police Services are trying to convey to would-be drunken bicyclists in the area.

"If someone is incapable of safe vehicular control, (he or she) will be charged with driving under the influence," Bill Moerschbacher, Penn State police supervisor, said.

Moerschbacher explained that under Pennsylvania Department of Transportation statutes, a bike is considered a vehicle, and bicyclists are therefore subject to punishment when a violation occurs.

"Bicyclists are supposed to follow all the same rules as cars do," Moerschbacher said. "That includes DUI."

State College Police Sgt. John Wilson has seen his share of accidents in which unsuspecting pedestrians have been hit and injured by bicyclists riding under the influence.

"I certainly consider it a problem," Wilson said.

Moerschbacher said drunk people shouldn't be operating bikes.

"It's hard enough for them to walk home," he said.

Wilson said that although it is a concern for the police department, the actual instances of finding and charging bicyclists with DUI are minimal, especially compared to the high frequency of general DUI arrests in the town.

"The numbers are very low, but it does happen," he said.

Penn State police have also charged a small number of offenders; however, this is not because they are overlooking the problem, Moerschbacher said.

"We're not lenient with riders, but the occurrences are definitely rare," he said.

Moerschbacher said he could only recall one incident in which Penn State police charged a student bicyclist with DUI.

Joel Perkovich (senior-sociology) has heard stories of students being cited for riding a bicycle while under the influence and believes the enforcement of the law is necessary.

"You're trying to avoid an accident," he said. "Students need to use their judgement. They can't be weaving in and out of traffic, especially when there are cars involved."

Perkovich believes intoxicated riders are not only endangering others, they are placing themselves at risk.

"The only person you're hurting is yourself," he said.

But Kevin McClafferty (sophomore-chemical engineering) believes the police should not put too much focus on this atypical violation.

"There are other problems they should be looking for," he said.