Pedal-powered tipsy tours would take riders to Myrtle Beach bars and restaurants

A new way to tour the city tipsy could be coming to downtown Myrtle Beach.

Pedal Pub, a “party bike tour,” is seeking to open a franchise for touring vehicles in the city of Myrtle Beach. The pedal-propelled vehicles would transport up to 15 customers between establishments.

At a Myrtle Beach City Council workshop Tuesday, SkyWheel Myrtle Beach operator Global Leisure Management (GLM) presented plans for a five-year franchise agreement with five of the 15-person “bikes.” Pedal Pub proposed two-hour tours starting at 11 a.m. and ending at 10 p.m. that would operate year-round but could close in January, when tourism slows.

Although customers at most Pedal Pub locations can bring alcohol on the bikes, no alcohol would be permitted on-board in Myrtle Beach. Representatives at the workshop said the tours are appropriate for all ages.

“Our tours are designed to be an experience everyone can enjoy,” said GLM regional operations and business development manager Angie Goeppinger. “Pedal Pub tours are not just for adults, our tours are designed for the entire family. Anyone that’s 48 inches or taller can join the fun.”

The company, which operates in cities like Wilmington, North Carolina; Nashville; and Savannah, Georgia, debuted in Conway on Oct. 1. Pedal Pub also ran special, themed tours in Myrtle Beach during the holiday season. According to GLM, in that time, a bike had to rework its route to avoid parking in a church parking lot and retrain drivers – or “pilots” – to keep clear of the middle lane on Ocean Boulevard.

In its presentation to the city, Pedal Pub touted support from establishments like Atlas Tap House, Grand Strand Brewing and RipTydz.

The proposed areas of operation center in and around downtown Myrtle Beach, including the strip of land between North Kings Highway and North Ocean Boulevard from Eight Avenue North to 21st Avenue North, on the other side of Kings Highway between East Highway 501 and 10th Avenue North, and several blocks along Broadway Street south of 501 to Third Avenue North.

With bikes that can’t go over 9 mph, Pedal Pub said it stays on roads with speed limits at or below 35 mph and chooses routes that avoid impeding traffic. The bikes would be stored in a warehouse on Campbell Street.

City leaders raised concerns with traffic impacts and rider behavior, including customers trying to bring alcohol out of bars and restaurants along the tour. With just one pilot and up to 15 customers, some on Council shared doubts about rider management.

“We obviously had concerns in reference to open container … The bike lanes were our concern, flow of traffic, overall noise and then the rider ratio to the pilot continue to be our concern,” said Myrtle Beach Police Chief Amy Prock.

In response, Pedal Pub representatives said passengers must sign liability waivers and pilots are trained to stop tours if riders get too rowdy, including behaviors like excessive noise, foul language and public indecency.

Before Council can vote on a proposal, Myrtle Beach city staff will draft a franchise agreement for members to review.