Entrepreneurs pitch 'Padel' pedal-bike tours for downtown Delaware

Entrepreneurs asked council to consider a new tourism and entertainment ride — a multi-passenger pedal and electrically assisted party bike they called "Padel." Presenters described safety equipment, operations, and a planned 2027 launch window.

Speaker 5 and colleagues said the vehicle includes hazard lights, LED under-canopy lighting, rearview mirrors and a middle walkway with handlebars to improve stability and visibility. They described the operating speed as modest: "the operating speed of the vehicle is a modest 5 miles an hour." The group proposed two-hour rides with three city stops and 30-minute intervals for cleaning and turnover, and said typical pricing is about $300 per ride divided across up to 14 riders.

Presenters referenced Ohio code provisions that they said treat the vehicle similarly to a limousine for open-container allowances, describing a two-drink-per-person limit while aboard and rules that open containers must remain on the vehicle if returning. Council members raised concerns about routing, stopping points, parking and neighborhood impacts; multiple members recommended a full staff presentation to the Parking & Safety Committee so detailed routes, safety plans and business agreements with property owners could be evaluated before council acted.