The first bike bar started operating in the Netherlands in the late 1990s, but why should the Dutch have all the fun? Pedal Hopper began importing bike bars from the original manufacturer in 2010, and cruises through the streets of Denver and Kansas City along with other operators who were quick to realize how much FUN these amazing contraptions can provide to locals and tourists alike. The Pedal Hopper bikes are bigger than your average bear. They’re also larger than your average sedan, sports utility vehicle or pickup truck.
For our readers that have not yet taken a cruise on a pedal-powered party bike, we decided to compile a list of what’s acceptable and expected on a bike bar tour and what isn’t acceptable while riding on a party bike in order to ensure that you, the rest of the group, and your driver all have a blast while being respectful and safe.
Always be pedaling the bike bar!
Bike bars are powered by the people who ride them. Since most bike bar events involve some variety of pub crawling, the required pedaling will burn off some of those calories that the beer and whiskey will provide. Don’t worry if you’re feeling a bit tired; luckily for Pedal Hopper bike bar riders, our pedal-powered rolling pubs have some designated “lazy-rider” seats and even a pedal assist feature.
Don’t ever get off the bike bar while it is moving.
Bike bars are human powered, which would make for a long and arduous trip to the hospital, plus nobody wants to spend their weekend taking care of you for being the reason why their pedal-powered pub crawl was cut short. If you find yourself needing to get off the party bike just tell your driver and they will stop at the closest and safest location. For example, maybe your phone slipped out of your hands while trying to take a group shot of you and your friends. Instead of just hopping off the rolling bike bar, ask your driver to stop and they will pull over at the safest area so that you can get off and grab your phone without endangering yourself, other riders or pedestrians.
Try to organize enough people to fill the entire beer bike or as many seats as possible.
Try to organize a full group to fill the entire bike bar with riders or as many seats as possible. Not only will you need everyone’s pedal power, but you will also pay less per person depending on how many people are riding on the bike bar. It’s not hard to fill a bike, who wouldn’t want to cruise around the city on an oversized, rolling bar table bumping tunes and visiting all of their favorite bars?
Leave your booze at home; you’re on a pedal-powered pub crawl!
Most cities, Las Vegas and New Orleans being among the few exceptions, have strict rules about open containers and you don’t want to legally jeopardize yourself, the pilot of the bike bar or the company. Trust me, your friends don’t want to waste their precious time on the bike bar waiting for you to get your citation from local law enforcement. Fortunately, most party bike tours include frequent stops at local watering holes where the driver often knows the bartenders or the company has a partnership with in order to get their riders fairly priced drinks in a timely manner.
Bike bar pilots work hard, so don’t forget to tip.
While party bike drivers do get paid by the company you’re pedaling with, the service they provide for you, ensuring you and your fellow pedalers are safe while having a blast, is worth some gratuity. Other than keeping you and the other pub crawlers safe, drivers are also de facto tour guides showing you the coolest joints in the city, your DJ and are usually part-time models (well, pedal hopper pilots usually are).
Don’t forget to make a playlist with your favorite tunes to blast on the Pedal Hopper’s speakers.
Having your group’s favorite music on a device compatible with a car stereo, whether on compact discs (remember those?), 2nd generation iPod Nanos or on your modern smartphone is an essential part of the pedal-powered pub crawl. At the Pedal Hopper, we hire drivers who have impeccable tastes in music (see: DJ TriTip, one of our senior pilots) but everyone’s music preferences are different, so make a playlist to ensure you and the rest of your party have tunes that will keep your pedal party bumping.
Make the most of your time on your pedal-powered pub crawl and have fun!
Whether you’re pub crawling with all of your coworkers, celebrating your best buds birthday or on your way to a baseball game (Go Rockies!), make sure that you are getting funky while being safe. Bike bar pub crawls are a temporary escape from the stress of everyday life, so make sure you cut loose a little bit while still being responsible, unless it’s your birthday, then it’s up to your friends to be responsible on your behalf.
Every bike bar is different and each company expects different standards of behavior from their drivers and patrons. However, this rundown of generally accepted party bike practices (GAPBP) will set you and the rest of your group up for success by keeping your pilot happy, entertaining your fellow riders and having the best dang bike bar experience possible!
Book your bike bar tour with Pedal Hopper today!