Two bicyclists charged with DUI

Just as you shouldn't drink and drive, two people discovered Tuesday that it's also against the law to "drink and pedal."

A deputy was headed west on Forest Oaks Boulevard around midnight when he noticed three cars up ahead were traveling slowly. The cars were attempting to avoid a bicycle in the middle of the westbound lane with no lights or reflective equipment.

The deputy said the bike's operator, Oswaldo Davila, was weaving across the roadway, so he pulled over Davila near the intersection of Windswept Avenue. Davila was arrested on suspicion of DUI after he reportedly failed field sobriety tests.

A background check revealed Davila, 46, has five prior DUI convictions and that he was currently on inmate-release status for the latest DUI conviction. He refused to submit to a breath test or sign the citation, so he was charged accordingly, a report shows.

Three hours later, another DUI suspect was riding his bicycle westbound on Spring Hill Drive. Before the deputy caught up with the rider, another westbound car swerved at the last minute to avoid hitting the cyclist, a report states.

The bicycle was pulled over at the intersection of Escobar Avenue and its rider, Robert Steudl, nearly fell off the bike when he came to a stop, a report shows.

Aside from the "extreme" odor of alcoholic drinks coming from the suspect, the deputy noted Steudl had several fresh abrasions on his cheek and knuckles. Steudl explained that he had finished drinking "a lot" at the Pickled Parrot and that was why he was riding his bicycle home, a report states.

He believed he was on Deltona Boulevard, not Spring Hill Drive.

While en route to the jail, Steidl became upset and reportedly asked "What are you going do to do, give me an interlock device on my bicycle?" A court-ordered interlock device forces a driver to blow into a sobriety gauge before the vehicle will start.

At the jail, Steidl provided a blood alcohol level of .265 and .266 - three times the legal limit of .08, a report shows. He was given a warning for operating a bicycle without front or rear lights.

Florida law considers a bicycle a vehicle and drivers have to obey all traffic regulations. This includes a prohibition on driving impaired or under the influence of alcohol.