BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

I have mixed thoughts and misgivings about this. One one hand, somebody's made an investment from their savings in these rigs, they'll be hiring drivers, and it's got a quasi-bike thing going. On the other hand, it's really about drinking beer while pedaling. From Pgh City Paper:

The Pittsburgh Party Pedaler — a bicycle-mounted barroom pedalled by its own patrons — came to Pittsburgh the long way around: from a Steelers bar in Minneapolis. ..... But because of local open-container laws, party bikers can't take advantage of the 53-gallon keg and tap system mounted on the front of the bike — at least not just yet. "We tried for a variance, but without a specific date or place we couldn't get that," says Bryan Joseph. So while the Josephs work with their lawyers to legalize on-bike revelry ("We want to do this the right way," says Susan Joseph), the Pittsburgh Party Pedaler operates as a pedal-powered pub crawl.

The intent is for customers to sit, pedal, and drink beer while the driver/pilot steers and brakes. I'm not sure I'm real eager to see drinking and riding/pedaling conflated like that - it's okay, somebody else is doing the braking. It's like play-acting drinking and driving. Sorry. I wonder what MADD thinks about it. Charlotte, NC has decided to not permit the local Party Pedaler franchisee to serve or carry alcohol, and I think that's a good thing. Absent the beer/booze, I think it's a great idea. But it's definitely the local company's intent to be a bar-bike.

Not sure what I think about this - thing. My first thought is that at some point, the power units are going to lose either the interest or ability to pedal. Seems like, on a sailboat, you would want a backup motor. But, it seems like it is legal to drink in a limosine, they always carry booze, so this seems similar.

From a Vehicular Cycling perspective - that bicyclists do best when we are treated as vehicles and held to the responsibilities of vehicles - there's another question. We have "open container" laws that say, you can't drive around in a minivan or a station wagon with open alcoholic beverages. Those laws don't make any distinction about whether or not the driver is imbibing. I don't see any groundswell to change those laws. Why is it different when the vehicle-type is a bicycle, or a mondo-bicycle? Is it because the bicycle is not a "real vehicle"?

Sorry, posted out of synch. Regarding limos etc, it looks like most states make specific exemptions.

Except as provided in Section 23229.1, Sections 23221 and 23223 do not apply to passengers in any bus, taxicab, or limousine for hire licensed to transport passengers pursuant to the Public Utilities Code or proper local authority, or the living quarters of a housecar or camper. (California)

It seems bicycles are being singled out, then, in the limo exception you quoted. Can riders in a conventional pedicab drink in CA? (Does a pedicab count as a limo?) If not, CA law is singling out pedal-operated vehicles, and shouldn't. To me the Party Pedaler seems much closer to a limo than to a drunk cyclist. I think it's fine on that score. I'd worry more about whether this brings West Carson's problems into other neighborhoods, especially residential.

The Party Pedaler was at Bike Night at the Science Center a couple months ago. I tried it, and it was RIDICULOUSLY FUN. We were able drink and pedal because they kept the veihicle in the parking lot, and I think everyone on it (all seats were full, including two on the pedal-less bench) had a blast. At the end of the ride, we had to climb the small rise up to the main entrance and I was out of the saddle doing my best to propel the vehicle by myself. It was over-the-top shenanigans, capping off a fun night of Science and bikes. "Described by Joseph as “a party on wheels,” the bike can go at a maximum speed of five miles per hour." (From the review linked by OP) The extremely slow top speed, combined with a sober driver makes this vehicle a great way to expend some energy in a harmless way. Only the most curmudgeonly could find a negative side to the Party Pedaler. I hope we can get it allowed onto the Washington Oval for some team races!

Yes, it looks like a beer-cycle, but it doesn't have to be used that way. While they're pedaling, their hands are free, so they could be eating. The group could be noshing their way around town - sampling food from various restaurants / bakeries, for example.

While it is fun to ride, something i noted is that there are no backs on the seats, and there wasn't really a "tray" to rest anything on infront of the pedalers, the wooden beam is more of a hang on handrail. Also the top speed is rather low, even if they were serving up EPO-Cocktails, i doubt the thing would break more than 7mph unless going down a hill. While fun for a small area of a few blocks, this "bike" isn't really going to be riding down the GAP or taking on a century. (hmm, does the dirty dozen allow teams? it might be worth finding a sponsor to pony up some cash for an all day rental.)

pbeaves wrote:

hmm, does the dirty dozen allow teams? it might be worth finding a sponsor to pony up some cash for an all day rental.

Maybe Western Psych?

Just imagine riding down the EFT and seeing this behemoth lumbering towards you! (Yes, I know it's doesn't really go on the trail but I can't help but picture it and find it hilarious. The scene in my head is one where the camera is changing between the bicyclist and the cycle-bus where they are essentially playing chicken. As we cut back to the bicyclist he is sweating harder and looking more disturbed each time. Eventually, gaaaaahhhhhh.... the bicyclist comically swerves into the growth at the side of the trail. The cycle-bus is still 500 yards away.)

I saw one riding down the road in Boulder, CO a few weeks ago. They people were having a blast, but most people are having a blast in Boulder. I think it is great. Anything without a motor makes me pretty happy. Beer and all. Go for it!

reddan wrote:

pbeaves wrote: hmm, does the dirty dozen allow teams? it might be worth finding a sponsor to pony up some cash for an all day rental.

Maybe Western Psych?

My wife works at Western Psych. I'll have her look into it! Also, I never drink beer, but if I could ride that on the Dirty Dozen, I'd make an exception.

Introduce drunks to biking = less likely to drive their car home drunk. Besides that funny point, I'm sure the operators are VERY CAREFUL to not over serve and run the risk of a rider falling backwards. I can't imagine cities handing out permits if this group doesn't have a stellar safety record.

I realize this negates the better part of this thread, but the article in the OP says they can't serve beer due to open container laws. Personally, I don't have an issue with it, the participants aren't driving the thing.

@salty: that's why at the Science Center they kept the vehicle in the parking lot. As long as it never entered the public road, they could sell beer to patrons. That's also what made it completely harmless fun; a top speed of 5 mph, a controlled course to on which to operate, and a lot of bike savvy participants. That said, if this thing were allowed to tour say, from the strip district to the south side, I'd have no problem letting them sell beer to patrons along the way. What would be really impressive, though, would be taking a tour on this thing from say, northside to Oakland or even Polish Hill. That would be impressive.

I have been on it ,worked on it and you don't have to drink on it,,,its all good and fun and professional ,,, other states have them Pittsburgh is always last and its just about time , they are the first to get it started in Pittsburgh,,good for them,,,