Ever wanted to pound back a beer while cycling through wine country with 14 of your closest friends? Your prayers have been answered.

The Ontario government has announced today that starting on July 1, Canada Day, pedal pubs across the province will allow passenger-cyclists to drink alcohol while on board, rather than waiting to arrive at the bar they’re pedalling to before having a drink.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is one of a handful of places in Ontario where pedal pubs operate, which includes Toronto, Ottawa and Windsor.

The NOTL branch of the Pedal Pub company opened in 2019 and has been rolling ever since, taking groups of up to 15 people to bars and breweries in town, on a pedal-powered quadricycle.

Before, provincial laws around alcohol in vehicles prohibited pedallists from being able to drink while on board the Pedal Pub, as well as operators from selling and serving alcohol on board.

Now, the province has approved an amendment to the alcohol in vehicles regulation, under the Liquor Licence and Control Act, to exempt pedal pubs from the provincial rules.

“Pedal pubs offer a fun and memorable way to explore Ontario’s communities, and we’re making sure that experience is responsible,” said Attorney General Doug Downey.

“Beginning this summer, Ontario is supporting a unique opportunity that will not only stimulate tourism and bring communities together, but also protect local jobs, our economy and small businesses across the province.”

The Pedal Pub in NOTL hasn’t been without its detractors: In July 2020, the local council recommended that Niagara Region not renew the Pedal Pub’s licence after it was set to expire Aug. 28. Councillors at the time raised concerns over road safety and the noise from music playing and passenger singing.

Then, in late August that year, it decided instead to unanimously approve the renewal of its licence.

Pedal Pub operators will need a licence from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario to sell and serve alcohol on pedal pubs.