Photo by: Heather Coit/The News-Gazette Co-owner Steve Bloomstrand waves as Ron Shadix drives one of his Slow Ride Pedal Tours' pedal-powered buses past Guido's on Main Street in downtown Champaign. Image

CHAMPAIGN — One week after giving the first drink-while-you-ride cruises around Champaign, Slow Ride Pedal Tours owner Steve Bloomstrand was already booking into October.

Interest in the 15-person pedal-powered vehicle has taken off since the city council approved regulations for the unique business earlier this spring, Bloomstrand said, and the presence of the bicycle built for a bunch on downtown streets only increased visibility in a concept that's been a hit in places like Nashville, Tenn., Naperville and Bloomington, Ind.

Slow Ride, which touts itself as "Champaign's first rolling pedal entertainment," offers seven-day-a-week, rain-or-shine tours of downtown and Campustown, riding First Street between the two.

The bike requires at least eight people to operate and can hold up to 15 (each seat has a weight limit of 300 pounds), with 10 pedal seats and five non-pedal seats.

On the employee side, there's one driver and one host, who helps serve BYOB beverages, including the adult variety. Alcohol is welcome but not included in the price.

Rates start at $345 for a two-hour weekday tour for a group of eight to 15. The weekend rate jumps to $390. (That helps cover the city-required minimum liability insurance for any operator — $1 million per person, $2 million per incident and $100,000 for property damage).

"It works much like a limo service," Bloomstrand said. "You have one person book the ride. They put half down and pay half of the balance a week prior to the ride. They collect the money from the rest of the group."

So far, Bloomstrand says he has booked birthday parties and groups of friends, and he envisions it being a fun atmosphere for bachelor and bachelorette parties, as well as other events.

The bike even has a CO2 pump for pony kegs.

"If you want, you can pedal the entire time, or you can stop at the bars and spend a little bit of time there," he said. "It's great to have a couple of drinks and get a little bit of exercise while you do."

Rules of the road

Among the stipulations city council members put in place before signing off last month on pedal buses in Champaign:

— A pedal bus is defined as "a non-motorized, multi-passenger, four-wheeled vehicle that is propelled by passengers who pedal while sitting on bicycle seats."

— Per the city's new "BYOB" liquor license, alcohol can be consumed by passengers — but only in plastic, foam or paper cups. Glassware is a no-no.

— No bus can operate on a street with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or greater — including Bloomington, Curtis, Duncan, Staley and Windsor roads and Bradley, Kirby, Mattis, Prospect and Springfield avenues — except for the purpose of crossing it. And nothing north of Interstate 74.

— Buses must be equipped with hoods to protect riders from the elements. Other musts: a bell or horn, brakes, a headlight and taillight, front and rear turn signals, and tires.