Cops Crack Down On Drunk Cyclists; Beer Is Heatlhful; Its Official: "The Trams Made Me Late"; Swiss Uber Status In Question

News For 12 September 2017

Toprak Yerguz, spokesman for the Basel Department of Security confirmed that police have been cracking down on drunk bicyclists.  The law does not differentiate between those operating motorized and pedal operated vehicles when it comes to drunk driving.  Last weekend, those on bicycles crossing the Wettstein bridge were stopped by police and asked to take a Breathalyzer test.  Unfortunately for those found to be over the legal limit the fines are similar to those for operating a car and found themselves lucky to owe 300-400 francs.  According to police, in 2016 there were 20 bicycling accidents on the roads that involved drunk drivers.

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Scientists at the Fachhochschule, together with German researchers, have discovered that certain substances in beer can promote health. In case you needed more evidence, the substances found by the scientists, are found in hops and are called Prenyflavonoids, and they have two different effects. On one hand, prenyflavonoids stabilize the intestinal wall, which makes it harder for bacteria to get into the bloodstream. On the other hand, they can stimulate cell growth. Not only professors and scientists performed this study – students of Life Sciences at the Fachhochschule also got to participate.

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No doubt your dog has eaten your homework at least once, and for sure you've been late to a meeting because the trams were delayed.  In the past, if people did not believe these or other excuses, you've now got an official alibi...for the month of September anyway.  The BVB has issued an official, downloadable form that can be presented when your commute has delayed your punctual arrival at work, school or doctor's office!  In response to the ridiculous state of affairs caused by construction on the tram lines in the town center, the BVB felt compelled by the litany of complaints to take action.

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Uber continues to be hit with legal hurdles.  Although in Zurich Uber Pop has been shut down, the controversial taxi service can still be used in Basel. So that Uber drivers can work legally, the Zurich government requires federal regulations. Since these do not exist, Zurich deemed Uber illegal. Questions regarding Basel's position on the issue have been raised. Although Uber's legal status here has yet to be ruled on by the authorities, some people assume that means the service is legal and continue to use it.  However, past instances of Police entrapping and ticketing Uber drivers by using the app have been reported.