Paris cycle cafe combines beverages and bikes
The 15-seat, purpose-built ‘bike’ enables customers to cycle round the streets of the capital while enjoying drinks and snacks
Cyclocafe_paris / Instagram
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.
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.
Related stories
France in top 5 for cycling in the world, Google Maps data shows
Mairie plans to drastically reduce cars in centre of Paris by 2022
MAP: Paris plans 680km of new cycle lanes linking suburbs to centre
