8-person beer bike alternative could hit Amsterdam streets

Amsterdam beer bike owners came up with a way to save their businesses in the current beer bike-unfriendly climate in the city - they will be turning their beer bikes into eight-person coffee bikes, Het Parool reports.

Bierfietsondernemers komen met het ultieme compromis: het aloholvrije fietsje https://t.co/2B0hHKorLU pic.twitter.com/NvqkXsPt3Z

— Het Parool (@parool) February 3, 2016

Ard Karstens of Damtours came up with this idea together with operator Borisbus. According to him, the eight person bike has everything it needs to be a problem-free operation. No alcohol will be served, leading to fewer disturbances. And instead of up to 15 people, the new bike will only accommodate eight people plus a driver - a perfect number. "That number does not differ from other group activities in the city and is also in line with indications the city council previously brought out." With this Karstens and his colleagues are reacting to a beer bike ban in the city center. The ban was approved by the city council earlier this year.