The Pedal Pub: Almost Legal?

Dustin Hahn

The concept of riding a pedal pub (or party bike, pedal crawler, cycle pub, beer bike, or bierbike, if you prefer) about town has been around for a while now. These pedal powered vehicles can hold up to twelve people, plus one driver doing all of the steering and stopping. Pedal pubs are popular in Germany and other European countries, but remain less popular here in the States due to strict open container laws.

In order to increase the success of the pedal pub business, Republican State  Representative Jeff Stone has introduced a bill that would allow Wisconsin municipalities to make the decision as to whether it is legal or not to drink while riding a pedal pub. This bill was introduced after a Milwaukee pedal pub company called Pedal Tavern began having legal issues over patrons drinking while riding. Owner Derek Collins argued that his pedal pub business has “drawn 50,000 riders over the last three years that have spent money on hotels, restaurants and other Milwaukee attractions.” To anyone worried about the driver drinking, the bill has an answer for that as well; the drivers would be required to keep their alcohol blood content at .02 or below at all times.