City of Milwaukee hears complaints against Pedal Tavern

MILWAUKEE -- It's a tavern on wheels, bicycle wheels that is. You may have seen this downtown. 16 people pedaling to various bars, and drinking while they're doing it. They attract a lot of attention, but lately it's unwanted attention.

Alderman Robert Bauman calls it a continuing problem. Bauman says he's receiving several complaints about the noise that Pedal Tavern generates on a weekend, and Bauman says it has to stop.

"They're basically screaming at the top of their lungs," said Bauman. "They tolerate Summerfest they tolerate the summer festivals they tolerate a lot of urban activity but in their view this is gone over the line," the alderman added about some in the condos who think Pedal Tavern is out of control.

"People want to do some more fun stuff and this a great attraction to Milwaukee," said Derek Collins, the co owner of Pedal Tavern. "We drive past a residence and it might have been a problem but from the people that I've talked to in the 3rd Ward most of them had nothing but positive things to say," Collins added.

Collins said he's willing to compromise with Bauman and the city of Milwaukee. Whether that's altering the tavern's routes or stopping the bikes after 10:00 p.m. or both.

"I don't know how you can compromise what is essentially their business plan, to have loud inebriated people moving at two miles an hour down the street," said Bauman.

Collins said Pedal Tavern is worried their license could be revoked by the city.

"What I'm more concerned about is that it's taking something away from Milwaukee," said Collins.

Pedal Tavern is looking for the city to grant it a license for is fifth bike. They will find out if the Public Safety Committee will grant or deny its request. But the final ruling comes from the city council.