Northeast News
December 14, 2011

Thanks to an amended ordinance, pedal hoppers will be hitting the streets of Kansas City in 2012.

“Just to get legal permission is fantastic,” said Luke Stone, owner of Pedal Hopper Kansas City. “I’m very excited.”

City of Kansas City Council members passed a committee substitute Dec. 8 to allow for the operation of multi-passenger human operated vehicles, also known as pedal hoppers.

Pedal hoppers resemble a traveling bar and are powered solely by humans. Passengers sitting on bar stools in front of a bar table pedal with their feet and a pilot, provided by the company, brakes and steers the vehicle. Stone’s pedal hopper can fit up to 16 passengers and requires a minimum of 10 people to operate it.

The ordinance substitute allows the vehicle to operate without seat belts and prohibits the consumption of alcohol while riding on the vehicle. Only commercially sealed alcoholic beverages will be allowed on board.