By Leslie Collins
Northeast News
December 7, 2011

Multi-passenger pedicabs could soon hit the streets of Kansas City.

“I think they’re a great asset to the community,” Public Safety and Emergency Services Committee member Jermaine Reed said. “I’m glad to see a small business owner willing to take a chance with this in Kansas City.”

That business owner is Luke Stone, who currently operates Pedal Hopper Lawrence and Pedal Hopper Denver. A pedal hopper, or “bike bar,” is a multi-passenger vehicle powered by humans. It essentially looks like a traveling bar. To power the vehicle, passengers sit on bar stools in front of a bar table and pedal with their feet. A sober pilot, provided by the company, brakes and steers the vehicle.

“They’re very well constructed and safe. Like I said, they’ve been doing this in Europe for 15 years and they haven’t changed their model or design,” Stone said.

Pedal hoppers are operated in cities throughout the world, including London, England; Berlin, Germany; Denver, Colo.; Portland, Ore. and others.

According to Stone’s website, pedalhopper.com, pedal hoppers cruise at an average of five to eight miles per hour and have been used for birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties, corporate events, pub crawls, among other uses. The pedal hopper requires a minimum of 10 passengers to operate the vehicle and can hold up to 16 passengers. Before riding, passengers must sign a liability waiver, Stone said.

“It adds value for citizens,” committee member Scott Taylor said of the pedal hopper. “It’s a fun thing. It shows we’re a progressive city.”

During their Nov. 16 meeting, the Public Safety and Emergency Services Committee members voiced concern about the consumption of alcohol while on the ride. Currently, Stone’s company does not allow alcohol on board, but committee member John Sharp said Stone could later change his mind about the policy.

“It’s our responsibility as elected officials to make sure the public safety of our citizens are well protected,” Sharp said.

To relieve concerns, the committee included a substitute for Ordinance 110830, which outlines the guidelines for human powered vehicles. The committee substitute prohibits the driver from consuming or providing alcohol to passengers and also prohibits passengers from consuming alcohol while on board. Alcoholic beverages are allowed on board only if they’re “commercially sealed.”

Committee members have sent the revised ordinance to the city council with a recommendation of “do pass.”