Sacramento Legalized Drinking On "Beer Bikes"

The Sacramento City Council has voted to lift the ban on drinking beer on so-called beer bikes.

You've probably seen a beer bike or two careening through the streets of midtown Sacramento over the past couple of years. They look like a pub-on-four-wheels with a bunch of people sitting around a table, peddling and stopping at restaurants and bars. Sacramento has half-a-dozen licensed pedi-cab companies.

Until now, it's been illegal to drink alcohol on the bikes. Last year, the state legislature approved a bill allowing beer bikes to operate on streets, but left cities to decide if alcohol can be served on board.

Sacramento city council members voted Tuesday night to allow passengers to drink beer and wine on the bikes but only when the pedi-cab is staffed with two employees, a driver and a safety monitor.

And passengers will have to provide their own beer or wine. Hard alcohol won't be allowed.