Councillors agree to Pedal Pub extension

Council has agreed to allow the completion of this season for the Pedal Pub, after asking town staff recently to recommend to the Region that the bicycle pub’s licence not be renewed when it comes due this month.

In addition to keeping 10 staff members employed, Marlo Staganski, general manager of the Pedal Pub, described a new route that will be less intrusive to residents, who have complained about noise and safety issues.

The “Queen Street experience" is a new route from the pedal pub’s home on Mary Street, left on Mississagua Street, and right on Queen to visit two restaurants, Butler’s Sports Bar and Grill on Mary, as well as Fornos Restaurant and the Exchange Brewery on Queen Street, and then back to the Mary Street location, Staganski said.

The route is significantly reduced, mainly in commercial areas, with few residential homes on the road, she added.

Touching on safety concerns mentioned by councillors, she said there is no alcohol allowed on the bike, and patrons are not permitted to bring their own drinks on board.

Pedal Pub adheres to all rules of the road, is equipped with slow-moving vehicles signs, turns down the noise through residential areas, and now tells the history of the town through those areas. “A lot of people really enjoy the ghost stories of the town,” she said.

With two vehicles and three tours a day, residents might be exposed to three minutes of noise a day, she said, adding she will take any noise complaints by phone and address them immediately. 

Councillors voted in favour of allowing an extension for this season.