On yer bike! ‘Bici-Bar’ faces ban

‘ONE for the road’ was never a good idea – unless you happen to be on a Beer-Bike! Or is it?
Beer-Bikes (‘Bici-Bars’) have hit the streets in recent years in Quesada and Albacete in Spain – with ‘cyclists’ enjoying a pint or two as they merrily ride by.
But the question of whether they’ll spread to other parts of Spain, and how long they’ll last in these two cities, is up in the air as Amsterdam considers a ban following a petition signed by more than 6,000 people, set up by Friends of Amsterdam City.
“The Beer-Bike is a source of annoyance for the residents of the city centre,” said a spokesperson for Friends of Amsterdam City.
Complaints vary, from having beer thrown at people to that of being spat on. Not to mention people allegedly urinating in the street!
However Beer-Bike owner Ard Karsten said there had only been 24 complaints since January – and the bizarre bikes have made more than 1,500 trips in Amsterdam.
Now ‘Bici-Bars’ are once again reportedly under review in Amsterdam. In 2010 in Amsterdam Beer-Bikes were temporarily removed from the streets after a ruling by a judge.
The mobile, pedal-powered bars can transport between 10 and 20 people. And while peddling ‘passengers’ can drink as much beer as they want, the designated driver does not drink any alcohol.
The ‘BiciBars’ are popular with stag and hen parties. However in 2009 an accident in Amsterdam saw three women injured, when the Beer-Bike they had rented for a hen party was too tall for a bike tunnel they tried to enter!
Reports state the Beer-Bikes’ revellers cause a nuisance – and create a traffic hazard. And in Germany in 2010 a court ruling issued a clampdown – deeming them dangerous and a nuisance to other road users.
Beer-Bikes – which hail from the Netherlands – are also known as ‘pedal-pubs.’
In Albacete ‘Bicibar Albacete’ hosts birthday and private parties, and promotional events. And in Quesada visitors can hire a Bici-Bar.
Whatever happened to a beer – down at the local? I’ll always drink to that!