From a distance, the purple contraption crawling along Barberton’s downtown streets Thursday night looked a little like a mechanical caterpillar with 28 legs, not including the driver.
It’s actually a 14-person pedal bike with an electric assist for distracted pedalers who will be roaming the city’s streets for a long time to come. Top speed: 5 mph.
The bike was brought to the city by the Magic Pedal Co. , a sister company of the Grizzly Pedal Co., which has been operating in Wadsworth for a couple of years now, said Brian Hall, president of both companies.
Hall said the Wadsworth party bike is used for downtown tours, historical site excursions and birthday parties. There aren’t a lot of limitations for the bike, which is rented out in 75-minute and two-hour blocks, Hall said.
“That two hours goes fast,” he said in a recent phone interview.
Manufactured in Tiffin for Barberton streets
Hall and his partners won the Wadsworth bike in a competition, besting more than 80 other applicants, he said. It’s been a popular attraction in the city, and he decided to buy one of the $75,000 bikes, manufactured in Tiffin , for Barberton streets .
“We have had people from... all over come and spend money in Wadsworth all because they wanted to ride the pedal bike,” he said.
He thinks the same business model will work like magic in Barberton.
Barberton VIPs take a ride on the Magic pedal bike
On Thursday, the pedal party bike came to Barberton in front of the Pregame Tavern, where people lined up for a chance to pedal their way to fun.
City Council members Tayler Thompson and Rebecca Gearhart were both seated for the initial ride, posting about it on Facebook.
“ Such a fun time going around Lake Anna, through the downtown, and even stopping for a Dora beverage” in the downtown adult refreshment zone, Gearhart wrote. “This is such a fun addition to our city!”
Hall said the rides are split about 50-50 between non-alcohol and alcohol trips in Wadsworth.
Barberton mayor says bike 'adds a new dimension'
Even Mayor William Judge is on board, if not literally.
“As we’ve seen in other communities, this adds a new dimension to the growth of our downtown and general area,” Judge said in an email. “This is another piece of the puzzle that provides an entertaining way for users to travel around the community and see some of the great sights in Barberton.”
Pregame Tavern co-owner Chad Morrison said he heard about the bike at a small business meeting a few months ago. The 2 nd Street establishment was the pickup and dropoff location Thursday for the bike’s debut.
Morrison said before the event he planned some drink specials to mark the occasion.
“We’ll try to make a fun night of it,” he said.
Senior singers and Taylor Swift moms
Hall said the Wadsworth bike recently conducted a tour for assisted living residents.
“A guy was singing [on the bike],” he said. “He was 92 years old and said, “Thank you for helping me feel young again.'”
On another tour, soccer moms dressed up like Taylor Swift and drank adult beverages, Hall said.
“I like bringing excitement to the community,” he said. “I love giving back to the community, and this thing just rolls into what I like to do.”
Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj or Facebook at www.facebook.com/alan.newsman.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Purple party bike brings fun ride to Barberton for tours, parties and more
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