New Orleans Pedicabs: When Pedaling is a Pleasure

From the charm of streetcars to the leisurely pace of horse-drawn carriages, transportation wafts all manners of New Orleans stories and histories. The latest addition to the family? Pedicabs. Pedicabs are those odd contraptions that look like the offspring of clown tricycles and nineteenth century buggies. Anyone who has ever dragged children around in a wagon or double stroller will recognize the basic concept: one person provides sweat equity, while the others supply the blank-eyed gazing at passing surroundings.

Back in July the City Council approved policies to let pedicabs operate across the city. Like the taxi you can never find when all you need is your very own bed, New Orleans pedicabs have a set rate: $5 per passenger for the first six blocks plus $1 per passenger for each additional block.

Many cities now use pedicabs, a quick way to get places particularly in areas where parking is scant at best, (cough Quarter cough CBD). But this is New Orleans, so don’t assume your only option is some ole ordinary pedicab. It doesn’t matter if you’re native or new to town: want a real only-in-NOLA experience? Check out The City Cycle, where you can get your buzz on as you burn it off on this giant bicycle bar.

“It’s not easy pedaling a brass band through town, even when we’ve got 15 people pedaling!” said Lisa Boe of The City Cycle as she showed off the machine.  Although it looks like a bus without walls, The City Cycle is actually a bicycle – one where you and up to 24 of your closest friends can each plop down on a bar stool located on the perimeter or stand in the middle of a square bar as you meander through the city, taking in New Orleans architecture and enjoying the city’s alcohol laws – or lack thereof.

As soon as the City Council approves their permitting, you won’t be able to miss seeing these barcycles around town. The City Cycle boasts ten seats with bike peddles, four more seats for the loungers among us, plus places to stand in the middle of the vehicle, in between the counters that sport places to put down the drink you pour from the in-vehicle beer tap. The whole machine is surprisingly light – one person can bike it empty – but a full suspension and shock system means both your rear end and your pint glass have as little to fear as possible from untoward love pats from New Orleans roads.

With final touches of a hook-up and speakers for your iPod or music player, adjustable seats for both the vertically challenged and gifted among you, The City Cycle makes for a fabulous day out with friends, a unique party experience, a novel parade float, or the perfect idea for the next time you’ve got that train of visitors rotating through your house as they visit New Orleans. Forget wasting time touring them around the same old sights before taking them out for a drink – you can have it all at once and give everyone involved an experience they’ll never forget!

Tagged as: city cycle, Mitch Landrieu, New Orleans bar, New Orleans pedicabs, New Orleans transportation, pedicab tours