Having a drink on the cobblestones and exploring the streets of Paris by bike: customers no longer have to choose between these two pleasures, with a ‘cycling café’ that combines the two.
The Cyclo-Café enables 15 people to take a seat and have a drink, while pedalling around the streets of the capital. Each seat has its own set of pedals, and customers must help propel the table around while enjoying the cafe’s hospitality.
The cafe has been in operation since 2014, but has now relaunched after being forced to take a break due to Covid-19.
The cafe must have a minimum of five people on board in order to set off, with the optimum number of people around 7 to 8 for the best speed and easiest cycling. Not everyone has to cycle; if there are enough customers, up to five seats can be taken that do not need the sitter to pedal.
The cafe moves at 7-8 kph on average, with a ‘driver’ steering and directing, and issuing instructions to customers to slow down or to stop.
Bonjour Paris, for the #design enthusiasts, we offer this beautiful new #blueprint of our 15-person group bicycle & the only ‘Bistro Style’ Vélo. We're very proud of it. Good for all events, especially #teambuilding. @Bonjour_Paris #ParisIsAlwaysAGoodIdea @evelinginparis pic.twitter.com/F0BUXhdIc6
— Cyclo-Cafe (@OnTheCycloCafe) April 9, 2019
It also has a PA system with loudspeakers and microphones to allow customers to sing as they cycle, which is intended for team-building events or celebratory parties.
It comes as France came in fifth place on a worldwide list of cities found searching for bike routes on Google Maps, and Paris was the third city in Europe, behind Amsterdam and London.
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