Beer bikes - also known as party bikes, group bikes, bar bikes, fietscafé, or bierfiets - are the latest craze in city centre leisure for adults. Often the size of a small food truck and resembling an old-fashioned streetcar, these contraptions are an eye-catching addition to the city streets and often leave pedestrians and motorists with a ream of questions. To address some of these, we’ve put together this guide. Enjoy!
1. What is a beer bike?
Beer bikes come from Europe, originating in the Netherlands and spreading to France and Germany. Essentially, they are group-powered vehicles, with multiple passengers pedalling and a single driver controlling the direction and braking. Though not the most efficient mode of transport, they allow multiple people to sit together, often facing each other, as they travel around an urban area. Add beer (or prosecco, or coffee, or something else) to the mix, and it’s a novel, enjoyable way to get people together for a ride to remember!
Most beer bikes come with colourful, creative designs, sometimes reflecting the character of the city that they’re located in. To add to the fun, they might have lights to brighten up evening tours and sound systems that passengers can connect to via Bluetooth to blast some tunes and attract revellers to the bike!
2. How does a beer bike experience work?
In general, a ride should be booked in advance. The passengers arrive at a set meeting point, receive a safety briefing from the driver, and then set off for a tour of the city - usually lasting one or two hours. Most of the seats on the bike will be for pedalling passengers, while there might be some for people who can’t or prefer not to pedal. The driver will have a separate seat at the front, where they’ll steer the bike, use the brakes and direct the peddlers behind.
Most of the beer bikes in the UK have been set up in the last 5 years or so and the industry is still in its infancy, legally and technologically speaking. While in some European countries and cities in the USA, you can find beer bikes with built-in bars, in this country they mainly operate on a BYOB (bring your own bottle) basis. That means that you purchase your drink of choice in advance and bring it to the meeting point, where you’ll be provided with cups. The bikes usually have cup holders for each seat.
3. Who can join a beer bike tour?
They generally seat between six and sixteen people. Most or all of the seats will have a set of pedals (there are often a small number without). This makes them the ideal choice for stag, hen and birthday parties, as well as staff parties for small businesses, or any group of adults who want to spend time together in the city centre. As well as maximum capacities, beer bikes also have minimum passenger numbers in place to make sure that enough power is provided to move the vehicle. In general, the bike is hired out by a group of the right size and they enjoy a private tour, however, there are some companies that let you make a booking as an individual or small group and join other passengers.
In most cases, regardless of whether you’re going to be drinking alcohol or not, you have to be at least eighteen years old to join the party. You don’t, on the other hand, need to be a Chris Hoy or Bradley Wiggins in the making, or have any experience of cycling in a city, because the driver takes care of all the manoeuvres.
4. Where in the UK can you find beer bikes?
We’ve mentioned that this tours take place in city centres. This is because there is usually more slow-moving and controlled traffic flow in these areas and big novelty bikes don’t cause disruption. The routes are on the short side, as the focus is on having a good time and not on competing with the public transport system. Finally, there’s the party ambience of the city centre, where the good vibes spill out of bars and restaurants and into the streets!
At the time of writing, there are beer bike operators in numerous English cities - London, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Brighton, Blackpool and Bournemouth, and more in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
5. Is a beer bike ride safe?
Climbing aboard a beer bike and taking a trip around a city centre is a very safe experience. Unlike bicycles, these vehicles are stable at all speeds thanks to their four wheels and chassis design, and they never travel at high speeds. Crucially, the driver is in full control of the bike. They have sole use of steering and braking systems, as well as directing the passengers’ pedalling - when and how hard - to keep the bike moving at the optimum speed. Under no circumstances does the driver partake of the drinks being enjoyed by the passengers.
When is the best time of year to enjoy beer biking in the UK?
Beer Bike tours run all year round, so you choose your season! Our top recommendations are July and August when you can take part in - and maybe become the focal point of - the summer street-party atmosphere, and around Christmas. This is office party and family gathering season, a time when you want to see the important people in your life and do something exciting with them. Besides, pedalling like mad is a good way to banish the winter chills!
Whatever the time of year, you’ll have a good time on a beer bike, provided you’re dressed for the temperature. You don’t even have to worry about rain, because they have canopies which shelter the occupants from the elements. Come rain or shine, get ready to enjoy the ultimate bar crawl!
© 2024 Martin Buxton, Yumping Adventure, SL
