Alexander Alusheff

Lansing State Journal

EAST LANSING – No more arguing over who will be the designated driver on your next brewery tour.

The Lansing area's first party bike business, Capital City Bike-N-Brew, just opened and a second, JoyRide Pedal Tours, will follow before the end of the month.

A party bike is a pedal-operated trolley that can seat 15 people while a company employee steers from behind the bar. Those seated on the outside of the bar have to pedal to make the bike move.

“It brings a group of people together for a fun concept,” said Josh Sherry, owner of Capital City Bike-N-Brew. “They can stop at a couple of bars and get a little bit of a workout.”

Capital City Bike-N-Brew operates out of Ellison Brewery and Spirits in Meridian Township. It will drop passengers off at East Lansing bars before returning to Ellison after a two-hour tour. Sherry is trying to partner with additional bar owners for his brew-focused tours. He intends to expand to Lansing when he orders another bike.

JoyRide Pedal Tours will open by the end of the month. Owner Molly Chan plans to operate in Lansing, East Lansing and Williamston, offering two-hour tours. It will be based at Harrison Roadhouse for its East Lansing tours, Lansing Brewing Co. for Lansing tours and Old Nation Brewing Co. for Williamston tours.

“Being a capital city, we needed to have more fun an interesting things for people to do,” Chan said. “We need to have activities outside the box.”

People can tour breweries, restaurants, art galleries or Lansing landmarks at JoyRide, Chan said, making it more kid-friendly.

Capital City Bike-N-Brew charges $250 per tour and JoyRide charges $300. Routes are can be customized.

“It’s kind of a fun, new transportation option for folks,” said Jack Schripsema, president and CEO of the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau. "It's another asset we have in being a more welcoming community."

Party bikes have already rolled into Detroit, Grand Rapids and Traverse City.

“I like the energy it brings to the city,” said Tom Bramson, manager of Harrison Roadhouse. “It’s really an attraction for tourists. We look forward to seeing how it goes.”

The party bikes also provide another safe transportation option for people looking to bar hop, said Eric Elliott, co-owner of Ellison Brewery and Spirits.

"I think this is an exciting idea," Elliott said. "People really enjoy them."

Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on either party bike. They will provide water, though. Michigan passed a bill last summer allowing alcohol consumption on party bikes but gave local governments the power to prohibit it. East Lansing Mayor Pro Tem Ruth Beier said East Lansing has no such ordinance, but would introduce one if the party bikes allowed it.

Lansing Councilwoman Carol Wood said the city doesn't have a ban on it either nor has there been a request to introduce one.

Contact Alexander Alusheff at (517) 388-5973 or aalusheff@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexalusheff.

Party bike booking info

For more information on Capital City Brew and View, visit its website at ccbikenbrew.com. For more information on JoyRide Pedal Tours, visit joyridepedaltours.com.