- What is the purpose of the LCAO?
- How can I join?
- What do you call the bikes?
- How do the tours support local businesses?
- Do the tours result in more jobs?
- What other cities are they in?
- How do they work?
- Is the bike safe?
- How fast do they go?
- How fast do they go with pedal-assist (e-assist)?
- How does this compare to a bicycle with e-assist?
- Are the bikes zero-emissions?
- Can you drink alcohol on them?
- Are there age requirements?
- How many people can go on the bike?
- What do police departments think of these bikes?
- What do drivers think of these bikes?
- What is the impact on traffic?
- Who typically uses the bikes?
- What are the safety features?
What is the purpose of the LCAO?
The Large Cycle Association of Ontario works with various provincial agencies and other stakeholders to promote the growth of large cycle businesses across Ontario.
How can I join?
Please reach out to us via the Contact page and we will get back to you shortly.
What do you call the “bikes”?
Certain jurisdictions regulate the bikes using a variety of terms, such as: large cycle, large-format bicycle, four-wheeled cycle, multi-person quadricycle, pedal pub, cycle pub, pedal cab, and pedal carriage.
The public and industry typically refer to them as bikes, party bikes or beer bikes. For simplicity, we have referred to them as “bikes” below.
How do the tours support local businesses?
The bikes bring customers to local businesses where they purchase food and drinks. It’s a fun, zero-emission way for locals and tourists alike to experience a city.
The average tour generates over $1,200 in spending at local businesses.
Do the tours result in more jobs?
Local businesses have extended staffing and hours of operation to realize new revenue from the additional customers.
In addition, each tour operator hires full and part-time staff. For example, Pedal Pub Toronto launched in 2022 with two bikes and employed 13 full and part-time staff.
What other cities are they in?
Canada
Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton, London, Grand Bend, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, and Charlottetown.
USA
Over 50 US cities including: Seattle, San Diego, Miami, Denver, Austin
Europe
Barcelona, London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Lisbon, Budapest, Belfast, Paris, Prague
How do they work?
The steering and braking are controlled by a pilot, who sits at the front of the bike. Propulsion is provided by customer pedal power.
Is the bike safe?
Yes, very few minor injuries have occurred in any city. Unlike a bicycle, where the person doing the pedaling, steering, and braking is the same person, the bikes have a dedicated and trained sober pilot who controls the steering and braking. The customers only provide pedal power.
How fast do they go?
10-16 km/h, depending on the pedal power provided by the customers.
How fast do they go with pedal assist (e-assist)?
10-16 km/h. The e-assist helps the customers when needed, such as on hills, but does not enable the bike to go any faster than without the e-assist.
How does this compare to a bicycle with e-assist?
In Toronto, various e-assist bicycles exist. Bike Share Toronto recently added 300 e-assist bicycles that have a maximum speed of 25 km/h.
We believe these bikes are safer because they are slower, more visible, and likely more stable as they have four wheels.
Are the bikes zero-emissions?
Yes, the bikes are either entirely powered by pedal power or have an e-assist motor. The bikes are a clean, zero-emission way to experience a city.
Can you drink alcohol on them?
No alcohol is permitted aboard the bikes in Ontario.
Are there age requirements?
Customers must be at least 19 years old and must sign a waiver form prior to a tour. ID is required prior to boarding.
How many people can go on the bike?
Up to 17 people – 15 customers plus 2 staff.
What do police departments think of these bikes?
Police departments are generally supportive because the bikes are highly visible and contribute to traffic calming.
What do drivers think of these bikes?
Drivers usually react with a smile when they encounter a bike. Calgary launched in 2019 with three bikes. They had one complaint in over 1,000 tours.
What is the impact on traffic?
Limited – the tours run primarily on the weekends and only during May to October. The bikes pull over frequently to drop off customers and can easily move out of the way for emergency vehicles.
Who typically uses the bikes?
The bikes are a great way to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or bachelorette/bachelor party. Corporate team building events are common, as are the inclusion of the bikes in parades.
What are the safety features?
Headlights
Taillights
Brake lights
Turn signals
Hazard lights
High visibility reflective pain
Rack and pinion steering
Steel bumper
Panoramic rear view mirror
Optimized driver sightlines
Annual safety and mechanical inspection protocol
LARGE CYCLE ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO 