Downtown residents and regulars are used to seeing pedicabs carting passengers around. They may be surprised to learn, however, that there’s a new bike in town. Launched in the fall, Social Cycle is downtown’s newest activity to satisfy the drinking cyclist in all of us. The 16-passenger touring bicycle is powered by its pedaling riders and steered by a professional Social Cycle driver. Tours include East Village, the Gaslamp Quarter, Marina/Seaport Village and Little Italy, with plans to expand to Hillcrest, University Heights, North Park and South Park; as well as Orange County, Long Beach and the Los Angeles area. Owner/operator Laura Rovick was inspired by Pedal Pub, started by two men in her hometown of Minneapolis, Minn., who brought the idea back from a trip to Amsterdam. “I thought that if this can be a hugely successful company in Minnesota (when they only get a max of six months of weather when they can run the bikes) that it definitely needed to come to San Diego,” Rovick said. “It’s a fun, social, group activity to do. I am a very social person, love meeting new people and having new experiences, so I thought this would be a great way to mix business with pleasure and bring a whole new experience to San Diegans and tourists alike.” Rovick said Social Cycle caters to both residents and visitors, serving as a platform for socializing with friends, family and colleagues while exploring local sights and getting some light exercise. Tours, she said, can be tailored to cruising the city, bar-hopping, corporate events, team-building, bachelor and bachelorette parties, mixers, reunions, tailgating, picnics, progressive dinners and wine tastings — and stopping points along each tour can be customized. “One great thing that people get out of the experience is that it’s a fun way for them to get some exercise and it’s a great way to meet new people, have a cool experience for a few hours, etc.,” she said. “Every time we take the bikes out, the passengers feel like celebrities, because people on the streets are taking pictures like paparazzi would.” The Social Cycle can be rented by the hour and requires a two-hour minimum. Regular price per hour for group tours is $200 (or $12.50 per person filling each of 16 seats), Fridays through Sundays and $185 Mondays through Thursdays. The price includes a captain who handles the steering, signals and brakes, while passengers pedal. Passengers must be at least 21 years old to ride. For more information, visit socialcyclesd.com.
