IPSWICH police are warning cyclists not to "drink and ride" after an Ipswich man was caught riding while more than three times over the legal blood alcohol limit.

At Ipswich Magistrates Court yesterday, Cale Levinson Jones pleaded guilty to pedalling home drunk on his bicycle.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Fiona Pederson said the 23-year-old was stopped by officers after he was seen swerving from side to side on the road.

Sgt Pedersen said Jones was not wearing a helmet, had slurred speech and smelled strongly of liquor.

When he was later breath-tested, he recorded a blood-alcohol limit of 0.173.

The incident took place at 1.30am on September 14, in Booval.

Jones said he regretted his decision to ride drunk and that his actions were irresponsible and dangerous. He was fined $300.

Ipswich Police Inspector Keith McDonald said many cyclists were of the misconception that just because they weren't driving a car, they were immune from drink driving laws.

"This is not the case, the law applies to bicycle riders - and even horse riders too - almost exactly the same as it does to cars," he said.

"Drunk cyclists are not only endangering their lives but those of other road and footpath users."

Insp Keith McDonald said police did not have the power to breathalyse cyclists but could arrest riders they suspected of being drunk.

"Once they have been arrested we can ask them to consent to having a breath test done," he said.

Anyone arrested for riding drunk cannot lose their driver's licence in Queensland.