Syracuse Pedal Tours
See the Salt City from a different angle
If you want to tour Syracuse or party with friends in a way you’ve likely never tried before, get to know Syracuse Pedal Tours.
“It’s a great way to celebrate and see the city in a way you don’t get to when you’re walking around,” said Philip Szal, owner of the company. “You pay attention to your driving when you’re in your car. That’s what makes a fun tour even more fun. You get to look around more.”
He founded Rochester Pedal Tours eight years ago and the separate company in Syracuse seven years ago.
The Syracuse company operates two 13-seat bikes in downtown Syracuse, beginning and ending the tours in Clinton Square. The touring groups can comprise up to 12 guests with the tour guide driver representing the 13th person for the two-hour tours.
Mostly adults take the tours. However, the company’s family tours can even accommodate an adult holding a baby on the back bench. Typically, the bench offers a rest area where riders can alternate when they need a break.
Tours typically make two stops at the restaurants or bars of the tour members’ choice. The company also provides history tours, including Syracuse City Hall, Columbus Monument and Clinton Square.
“They listen to their own music and when they stop, the driver pauses the music to tell them what they’re seeing,” Szal said. “They can get off the bike to look around and take photos and then progress to the next place.
“It’s a cool event for multiple generations to do together because older generations can share memories they had of the downtown area with their entire family.”
You’d think that Syracuse Pedal Cars would be a tourist magnet, but Szal said that it’s mostly locals who want to cycle around the city. Some people book a pedal car for a bachelorette or birthday party. The cost is about $35 per person, depending upon the day of the week.
Szal got the idea to open a pedal car touring company while in vacation in Austin, Texas. A similar pedal car craft careened by the bar he was patronizing and seeing the unique craft led him to take a tour and eventually turn this into a career.
“Because the bike is bigger, it’s safer to be on,” Szal said. “The way the seating is arranged, it’s easier to talk and communicate rather than in a big group of bicycles. You have someone ahead and adjacent. It’s good for conversating.”
The awning overhead provides shelter, but riders are advised to bring along a hoodie in case of rain. The bikes operate year-round. The pedal bikes accommodate people 5’3” and taller.
Because the bike has only one gear, it may seem challenging to pedal. However, the group effort makes it easier. Each tour must have a minimum of six guests to make it work. Guests must reserve the entire bike to go on a tour, meaning that you can’t show up and pedal with strangers.
Guests are permitted to bring their own food and their own beer or wine as long as it’s in cans and not glass. Liquor is not allowed.
For more information, visit www.syracusepedaltours.com