'Giant Bicycle' Gives Boost to Local Businesses

With two bikes ready for take off, the Pedal Pub caters to a variety of events. Groups of customers bike their way to restaurants, bars or parks. From weddings or parades to food tours or bar crawls, the word “pub” has taken on a whole new meaning. Patrons can choose from a slew of different routes or create their own.

The Pedal Pub’s birthplace in Minnesota has proven the idea to be hugely successful. This year alone, the bikes are expected to bring more than 50,000 people through the city.

St. Pete Pedal Pub Manager, Krista Bertelson, wants to follow in the footsteps of the originals. As far as numbers go, “we want to be right behind them,” said Bertelson.

Originally, Bertelson was going to operate the Pedal Pub only during the winter months. After setting up a solid relationship with the city, the owners in Minnesota decided to make it a year round business.

Although Pedal Pub is owned by national importers, the service itself supports local businesses. Each stop on a bar or food tour is a boost for that establishment. On a given Pedal Pub route, there are anywhere from 10-18 venues that customers can choose to stop at. Favorites like and are on the list of optable stops.

Local businesses can also choose to partner with the Pedal Pub. The partnership would entail some sort of coupon or deal that would make visitors more likely to stop at their venue.

Folks have options when purchasing a seat on the Pedal Pub. Patrons can choose to rent the entire bike (16 seats) for a private tour, with a minimum of 8 guests. For others, the mixer tour may be a better option, when customers can purchase individual seats until the bike is full.

Private tours usually create their own route or choose from one of the Pedal Pub’s many options. Mixer tours head out to First Fridays or Food Tours. If the bike is not stopping at any bars, customers must be 18 and older. If there are pub stops, then the bike’s occupants must be 21 and older.

Alcohol on the bike is not permitted, unless it is parked on private property. However, guests can bring food on the bike. There are large storage bins on each Pedal Pub for personal belongings and snacks.

Along with its unique approach to touring the city, the Pedal Pub can also be appreciated as a mini-workout. Bertelson says of the contraption, "it truly is a giant bicycle." Guests can expect “lots of laughs and a little sweat," she added.

Bertelson says that her job is rewarding because she is able to watch groups of people, sometimes strangers, “progress” through each tour. By the end of the ride, some folks have made lifelong friends.

“The experience always brings a group of people together,” said Bertelson.