I find it hard to grasp the concept and thoughts behind the city even considering to allow a new business like Pints and Pedals to conduct their operations in the Scenic City. I have seen these operations in other cities and cannot caution more for the danger it puts many people in.
The idea is to have people pedal while someone steers a large pedal cab. The problems arise as the pedal cab goes from bar to bar and the occupants become more and more drunk. They are then on the streets putting both themselves and others in danger.
There has to be some kind of limitations on these type of contraptions. I personally want drunk people off the street not encouraging them to keep going down it. Who pays the worst when there is an accident being that the whole sides are open to impact and intoxicated individuals are on it?Insurance wise who suffers when it pulls out in front of a vehicle at an intersection?
As a tourist in other cities where these are conducted I was very turned off by seeing these drunk people riding down the road yelling and screaming at the people on the sidewalk.
Please don't let Chattanooga become the next Panama City or South Padre Island. We are a family oriented city, let's keep it that way.
Mark Stephens
Chattanooga
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Mr. Stephens,
I have been able to participate in the Pints and Pedals (Pedal Tavern) twice in Nashville and I can assure the public that your assumed description of how these operate is both misleading and biased toward the community that enjoys drinking alcohol.
A couple of facts: First the driver is an employee, often owner, of the pedal tavern and does not drink during the tour, so if it was to pull out into an intersection and get hit the liability would be the same as if a cab driver were to get into an accident.
Second, these tours only last 2-3 hours and the group is pedaling the whole time. Yes, they make frequent stops at bars or restaurants but the main focus is to tour as much of the city as possible in such a way that lets you experience it, not just see it.
But I suppose you would also like to do away with taxi cabs. After all they are just merely transporting ”drunks” between bars and I too have been hollered at by people from cabs so they also must be drunk. We sure don’t need the likes of sober people driving anyone around that has been drinking… that’s just an absurd concept.
We might as well do away with all patios and decks outside restaurants and bars because I’ve heard people hollering from those as well. Since prohibition didn’t work, let’s just designate an area with high walls and barbed wire where anyone that wants to drink can be corralled for their own safety and the family friendly public will not have to endure the evils of hollering drunks.
I don’t like to hear people standing on corners preaching about me going to hell but that doesn’t mean I want it to be outlawed. Your obvious disdain for the drinking public is only shadowing the fact that you want everyone that doesn’t share your views to be outlawed from expressing theirs. Freedom ain’t free and we have lost enough freedoms in the name of someone’s idea of safety. You have the freedom to stay at home… exercise it if drinking or someone drinking offends you.
John Masters
Chattanooga
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I hope that City Council will reconsider the Pints and Pedals operation and stops it before disaster occurs.
These pedal cabs will have to share the crowded city streets with motor vehicles that have to avoid the arrogant bicycle riders that ride side by side or in the center of a lane essentially creating only one lane for auto traffic.
Perhaps if downtown where closed to motor vehicle traffic, then the peddlers could have free reign of the streets paid for by fuel taxes.
Dwayne Cales
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To see the opinions given over this innovative business venture really just proves that Chattanooga is not as progressive as we'd hoped. Pedal cabs are environmentally friendly, a concept most Chattanoogans support. The cabs are equipped with mirrors and for these pint adventures, an un-inebriated driver. Many young professionals, myself included, are excited for this chance to experience our city in a different light. Chattanooga is becoming known for craft beer, and this city takes pride in supporting all arts.
As far as the pedal cabs sharing the bustling streets of downtown, so do horse-drawn carriages and Ducks. Yet we embrace these quirks because they supply downtown with a unique atmosphere not available in other markets. These quirks attract tourism. Tourism supplies income, has a positive impact on profitability, and creates employment opportunities. This new service will further stimulate our growing small business sector.
To fear change, or even desire to return to a glorified idea of Chattanooga, only stunts this great city's opportunity for abundant growth.
Mary Smith
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I will assume Mr. Stephens and Mr. Cales would like the horse-drawn carriages removed as well? Or is it only the drinking that bothers them?
D.J. Locke