Mount Pleasant residents may soon have a new way to travel: pedal trolleys
Courtesy Photo: Kory Neal, who wants to open his own pedal trolley business in Mount Pleasant, said this design is similar to what his trolleys would look like. Neal did not take this photo.
Mount Pleasant could be receiving a new way of traveling through downtown in the form of pedal trolleys.
Pedal trolleys are multi-passenger pedal bikes. They are used for tours and some serve alcohol on board. Other cities in Michigan, including Frankenmuth, Lansing and Grand Rapids have pedal trolleys rolling through their streets.
St. Louis, Mich. resident Kory Neal has always wanted to start his own business, and decided to pursue a pedal trolley venture in Mount Pleasant. This type of business is something that might draw casino visitors and college students downtown, he said. However, since his business would involve alcohol, the city would need to pass an ordinance to allow it.
“I’ve ridden (a pedal trolley) before and it’s an absolute blast,” Neal said. “It’s something I think a lot of people in this area would love to have.”
With Neal's business, Twisted Mitten Tours, there would be two trolleys capable of carrying 16 passengers each, he said. There would be meeting points downtown and online booking. People would show their identification before getting on, since alcohol will be served on board. If anyone is under 18-years-old, they will not be allowed on.
The tours would mostly stay in the downtown area, but Neal said would like to extend tours to places like Hunter’s Ale House or The Cabin if the city allows him to. He also said the trolley would travel from one bar or restaurant to another.
Neal thinks this will be beneficial for downtown because it might mix up the city’s nightlife and bring people in who might not be familiar with Mount Pleasant. It will also be a great way to showcase new businesses, Neal said, since new ones are popping up around the city that people may not be aware of.
“The nightlife can get pretty stale after a while,” Neal said. "The same thing week after week. Why not mix it up with the pedal trolley one night a week?”
But first, his business will have to be allowed by the city. Since open alcohol is in play, Neal said, a city ordinance would have to be approved.
At the City Commission's Jan. 27 meeting, five commissioners were in favor of looking into bringing pedal trolleys to Mount Pleasant.
Commissioner Petro Tolas was not in favor of looking into the trolleys because he thinks serving alcohol on them would be a big problem. He also feels the city has other issues it needs to attend to first.
However, commissioner Alsager said the trolleys could be a draw downtown for bar hoppers and park visitors. However, she does think alcohol being involved could be worrisome.
The plan right now is to have the trolley operate mostly in the summer, with hopes business picks up in August. He would like to operate until December if the weather is nice enough. The business would be open seven days a week, and he hopes the city will allow him to run it until 10 p.m., except perhaps for Sundays.
