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This article was originally published on September 22, 2022 on Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (Ga.).
Sep. 23—Passenger-powered party bikes are bringing a unique way to experience Columbus and Phenix City on Oct. 7, said local franchise owner Antwane Darby.
Pedal Pub is an international company operating in the U.S. and Canada. The Columbus location will be Georgia’s fourth, with Pedal Pubs already operating in Atlanta, Savannah and Augusta.
Recent development and growth in Columbus and Phenix City made the area attractive for Pedal Pub, Darby said.
Growing up in South Carolina, Darby moved to Georgia in 1995 attending Mercer University. After completing his undergraduate degree, he moved to Columbus in 2000 and got his master’s in business administration from Troy University.
Darby has been a Columbus resident for more than 20 years now, and is excited to bring this franchise to the Chattahoochee Valley area, he said.
“Columbus is a growing market,” he said. “It’s a market that today has opportunities to offer more outdoor leisure activities.”
The presence of Fort Benning, large number of restaurants and bars in Columbus are aspects of the city that blend well with Pedal Pub’s brand, Darby said.
Piquing curiosity
Passengers can take a tour of Columbus called the Broadway Finale, which will pick people up at 1200 Broadway and drop them off on First Avenue. The tour will take riders through the downtown area to view and experience the whitewater rapids, restaurants, historic sights and “untapped hidden gems” of Columbus’ pubs and breweries.
Pedal Pub is working with bar and restaurant partners to figure where patrons want to visit the most, Darby said.
In Phenix City, Pedal Pub passengers will be picked up at Giovanna’s Pizzeria on Broad Street and dropped off on Dillingham Street. This tour allows riders to view the Chattahoochee River and like the Columbus tour, it will also stop at local breweries, pizzerias and historic sites.
The ride will be a downhill tour, but it will provide some “uphill challenges.”
“For those who are not familiar with Pedal Pub,” Darby said, “they’ll soon see them on the streets of Columbus and Phenix City. And it always piques someone’s curiosity when they start to see our bikes passing by and all the fun that our patrons are having.”
Staying safe
When booking a tour, patrons will be asked to sign a waiver that expounds upon the code of conduct to emphasize safety, Darby said.
“We want to make sure that all of our patrons not only see the waiver and understand what our expectations are when you’re on the bike,” he said, “but also when you’re departing from the bike, how we expect you to interact with other pedestrians on the streets, as well.”
Pedal Pub is a family-friendly operation, Darby said. They try to accommodate almost everyone. There is a height requirement for pedaling a bike, he said, and those who do not meet it can sit in one of the non-pedaling seats on the bike.
“We do have a back bench where patrons can sit and not pedal,” he said. “And we have non-pedaling seats on our bikes as well.”
Outside of the height requirement, he said, most patrons can be accommodated. But if there are extenuating circumstances, then Pedal Pub can work with those individuals and see how they can be safely accommodated.
October opening
When Pedal Pub opens to the public, patrons can choose any of the following tour experiences:
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Public tours: These are for small groups of individuals or in parties of two or more, providing an opportunity to meet new people.
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Private tours: Families or larger groups can book an entire bike for themselves.
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Corporate tour: Corporations and businesses can book tours for their own special events.
Pedal Pub is building a staff educated about the history of Columbus and Phenix City, Darby said, so patrons can experience the city and learn things they may not have known.
Starting on the morning of Oct. 7, people who’d like to book a tour can either go to the website or stop by Pedal Pub at 1200 Broadway. There will be activities and rides, and business paraphernalia will be provided on that day, Darby said.
“Enjoy the ride with friends and family. See views of the Chattahoochee Valley that you haven’t experienced before and possibly go to some historic sites.”
This story was originally published September 22, 2022 9:30 AM.
(c)2022 the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (Columbus, Ga.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
