A beer bike in Amsterdam (image: photographer unknown, Wikimedia Commons, licence BY-NC-ND).

Beer bike would add to Hastings’ sea front attractions

New ideas are needed as we slowly work our way out of Covid. Local design consultant Ken Davis thinks the beer bike, a concept already put into practice on the Continent, could be adapted to Hastings requirements with positive effects.

I have for some time now thought that the notion of seaside needs some re-interpretation. Covid 19 has given us all the impetus to look at alternatives which may conveniently couple with more visitors coming to the town.

I saw a beer bike just like the one above (although this one is from Amsterdam) when I visited Freiburg in south-western Germany. In fact I heard the customers’ singing before the actual machine hove into view!

Ever since, I have been attracted by the idea of something similar in Hastings plying its trade along the seafront but have thought it should not just be limited to beer but include ice cream and soft drinks too (evening/day use possibly?).

Image: Photographer unknown / Wikimedia Commons, licence BY-NC-ND.

Indeed, in the lockdown period I have discovered that similar machines exist not only in many tourist hotspots around the world but are also used as party bikes, town tour bikes (with guides giving commentaries) and even as tapas bars! The one shown here appears to be in a race.

Hastings version?

The obvious alternative for Hastings would be fish and chips of course!

And, as can be seen from this photo, the concept can take many different forms, from the simple to the simply ridiculous! If Hastings had two I suppose they could even race!?

The usual type though is like the one below which could easily and quickly be adapted to serve different drinks and foods. Backrests would be a good idea though.

There are a number of steel fabrication firms locally that could make one of these (to a particular Hastings design) and, of course local beer and ice cream firms that might want to invest in it.

Depending on their size and complexity, a beer bike will cost £10-20,000 to build. I’m optimistic that we can find the funding for a bike or two, with the backing of sponsors or, if there is enough interest, through a crowdfunding exercise. Please spread the word and if there is enough support we will make this happen.

Image: Gary A Baratta / Wikimedia Commons, licence CC BY-SA 3.0.

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