By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
A plan to launch a pedal party bike business in Bowling Green was peddled to City Council Tuesday evening.
Joe Steinmetz, of Tiffin, introduced the idea of a “party bike,” which he described as an “oversized golf cart.”
The Tiffin Pedal Company, which has operated in that community for four seasons, calls itself an entertainment service that features a 15-seat party bike.
The bikes are used for occasions like bachelor/bachelorette parties, bar crawls, birthdays, anniversaries, and beer/wine tastings. The service also partners with local businesses for specialty rides like town history tours, birthday parties for kids, stops at local eateries, plus ice cream or park crawls.
“It’s a bike for all ages,” Steinmetz said, adding that it is used by young ball teams and senior living facilities.
There are 10 pedaling bike seats that supply the power for the bike to move, and two non pedaling bike seats located over the back tire. There is also a back bench that can hold two more people for a total of 14 on the bike at one time.
The bike company supplies the driver.
In Tiffin, the passengers aged 21 and older are allowed to have alcohol on the bike legally. The customers bring their own alcoholic drinks, which are limited to beer or wine. Each person is allowed 36 ounces of beer and 18 ounces of wine on the bike at one time. If riders run out, they can restock at stops along the way.
City of Tiffin officials have been supportive, Steinmetz said.
There are no traffic laws prohibiting the 15-seat bikes, and the drivers pull over when traffic is backing up behind the bikes, he said.
“It tops out at 4.5 mph,” Steinmetz said.
“We make sure we’re not holding things up,” he said, but added that many motorists linger behind the bikes out of curiosity. “They like to stay behind and watch.”
Council President Mark Hollenbaugh suggested that Steinmetz meet with Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mary Hinkelman about setting up a business here.
“I can’t foresee there being anything on the books that would prevent you,” Hollenbaugh said.
Council member Greg Robinette said he has seen the bike operations in other communities.
After the council meeting, Mayor Mike Aspacher said he is interested in learning more.
“It’s been successful in Tiffin,” Aspacher said. “Why not, as long as we make sure it’s safe.”
Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter told council that she would research requirements for such party bikes.
“We would be glad to take a look at the state law for you,” she said.
And Police Chief Tony Hetrick said after the meeting that he wasn’t ready to weigh in on the concept yet.
“I don’t have any thoughts yet,” he said.
