By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Sonya Zielinski thought Saturday would be a good day for a bike ride.
So 10 of her family members and friends got a few beers, then loaded onto the new BG Pedal Company party bike in Bowling Green.
With the company driver behind the wheel, the bike riders were free to sip away as they motored through the city streets. They pedaled – or not – with the battery-powered bike picking up their slack.
The bike, which tops out at 7 mph, slowly maneuvered around the city, beginning at Hankey Avenue, then pedaling down Pearl to Church. In this case, the riders brought their own music playlist. So as they cruised past the downtown city building, they belted out “I like it, I love it. I want some more of it,” with Tim McGraw.
Motorists patiently waited for opportunities to pass the bike, and the driver pulled over when possible to allow vehicles to pass.
The bike and its passengers were met with smiles and waves by pedestrians, porch sitters, and corn hole players. It left the Starship food delivery robots in the dust.
The biggest “challenge” came when the party bike approached the railroad crossing on Ridge Street.
“Oh my God – a hill,” one of the passengers yelled.
The bike turned onto Thurstin, then Wooster, making its way to the first beverage and bathroom break at Quarter’s.
“I love it,” Zielinski said at the bike’s first stop. She won the ride through a drawing, but said she’d be willing to pay for future trips on the party bike. “I’d definitely do it again. It’s a lot of fun.”
Along on the ride was her son, Michael Zielinski, 26.
“I’ve always wanted to try one,” he said. “It’s a different experience. I love it.” And just in case potential participants are wondering – “You don’t have to pedal if you don’t want to,” he said.
This past weekend was the second for the Bowling Green Pedal Company to be in operation.
“It’s starting to gain some steam. We’re starting to get some bookings,” said Joe Steinmetz, who began by driving a similar party bike in Tiffin, and decided to bring a pedal company here to Bowling Green..
The bike – equipped with 10 adjustable bicycle seats and bench seats for four more – cost about $65,000 to build.
The service can be rented out for two-hour blocks, to a maximum of 14 people. Early on in his description of the bike to Bowling Green City Council, Steinmetz stressed that the typical patrons will not be college students. While there may be some bar crawls and bachelor/bachelorette parties, the bike will likely be rented out for kids’ birthday parties, anniversaries and retirement parties.
The bike will traverse neighborhoods and the downtown.
“Our routes are typically free-flowing,” Steinmetz said.
Plans are underway for some themed rides, such as ice cream crawls, history tours, or mural spotting stops. Steinmetz has equipped the vehicle with a TV screen for riders reluctant to pry themselves away from big games.
During Saturday’s route, one patron asked if the bike could make garage sale stops.
“We can do that,” Steinmetz said. “We have room for a small couch here.”
Riders are allowed to bring along food, plus up to 36 ounces of beer or 18 ounces of wine. Beverages are not sold on the bike, but riders can restock when the bike stops at bars or restaurants.
The driver remains sober throughout the bike’s journey.
“It’s a ton of fun,” said driver Miriam Justinger, who is an alum of the BGSU women’s basketball program. “You basically just get to hang out and socialize with all kinds of people.”
Justinger can adjust the resistance for the riders – so those who want a workout can get one, and those who don’t can take a break.
“Fortunately, Bowling Green is pretty flat,” she said.
So far, the party bike’s presence on city streets has not been an issue for motorists.
“I know that’s one of the biggest concerns,” Steinmetz said. But bike drivers are trained to allow motorists to pass when possible.
The two-hour bike rental costs are $350 on weekends and $275 during the week. The starting point for trips is at Arlyn’s Good Beer, at 520 Hankey Ave.
More details can be found and reservations can be made at: https://bgpedalcompany.com/.
