Party bike tours await Columbia city approval before hitting the streets

Pedal Pub will not be in operation in time for the University of Missouri’s homecoming this year. The company must wait for a city ordinance to change before it can begin running in Columbia.

City spokesperson Steve Sapp said the ordinance change for the pedal bus company will likely be discussed and voted on during city council’s Nov. 5 meeting.

Columbia’s city council introduced and had a first reading to change city ordinances for the pedal trolleys at Monday night’s meeting. Public Works will approve a specific route the trolleys will follow in downtown Columbia.

Pedal trolley tours last about two hours with a maximum of 16 passengers, and guests are allowed to bring beer or wine for their ride.

The company’s website warns guests to “be prepared to pedal,” however the pedal buses do have a motor to assist riders.

A Pedal Pub employee steers and guides the pedal bus. The tour includes two to three stops at local bars. The minimum age to ride is 18-years-old.

The Minneapolis-based company, Pedal Pub, now has pop ups nationwide, with more than 40 licensed operations across the country and a few in Canada.

Pedal pubs are banned in some cities. Naperville, Illinois, city council voted against them due to concern for congesting city streets.