Volusia County says no to proposed 'beer bike'

Posted: Aug 09, 2013 2:44 PM
By Mike Synan, Reporter –
DELAND, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35 ORLANDO) -Volusia County has turned down a proposal for a new business in Daytona Beach that would serve beer on a 15-seat bicycle, referred to as “Beer Wheel Drive.” County Manager Jim Dinneen explained to the council that they would have to change long-standing alcohol rules for the plan to work.

“People think it’s just drinking. You’re not allowed to have it in the trunk. You’re not allowed to have alcohol,” said Dinneen.
The company behind the proposal, Altamonte Springs-based Limo Cycle, also wanted to drive the bicycle in an area where no vehicle traffic is allowed, between Main Street and International Speedway Boulevard. When Volusia’s Council discussed the matter, hilarity ensued.
“I think we could fill one of those things up. Imight want to get on one,” said County Chairman Jason Davis.
“When I looked at this, I’ve got to tell you… it’s brilliant.  You need to go on ‘Shark Tank,'” added Councilwoman Deborah Denys, referring to the ABC reality television program.
Councilman Doug Daniels chimed in, “I like alcohol as much as the next person. Now,if you had a beer, I mean ‘Bourbon Wheel Drive,’ then I might support this.”
The council was shown a bus with the logo “Beer Wheel Drive” on the front.  Limo Cycle President Steve Tishman told the Council he would be happy to only give his customers booze off the beach, change the name on the front to Limo Cycle, and lock up the alcohol once the bike hit the beach, but in the end, Councilwoman Pat Northey summed up the feelings of 5 of the 7 council members.
“Not just no, hell no!” she said.
Tishman said he will be back to try again.
“This is just the first step, we plan to work with the city of DaytonaBeach and we will be back working with the Volusia County folks as well.”
The bicycle already operates in cities like Minneapolis and Savannah. Tishman said he is working on deals to bring the booze bike to downtown Orlando and International Drive.
The bike has 10 seats with pedals, 5 without, and of course a place for a sober employee of the company to steer it.
Read more: http://www.myfoxorlando.com/story/23095056/volusia-county-says-no-to-proposed-beer-bike#ixzz2bV32