Bill Would Allow Drinking On A Pedal Pub

A bill allowing people biking on a pedal pub to drink beer or wine en route to their next stop is due before a House committee this week.

Right now if you take a pedal pub tour in Grand Rapids, Midland, Marquette or Traverse City you bike as a group from place to place – stopping for a drink along the way. Under State Representative Wayne Schmidt’s legislation you could drink while biking.

The Traverse City Republican’s bill would require pedal pub companies to carry liability insurance and give cities the option to not allow the practice.

The former is a dealbreaker for Laurie Ryan who owns Great Lakes Pub Cruiser in Grand Rapids. She says the insurance is expensive to carry.

Ryan, who opposes the bill is also concerned about people drinking on her pedal pub and falling off the bike.

The bill is scheduled before a House committee Thursday.