In an off-the-beaten-path market in an old Bend neighborhood, Joanie Krehbiel hopes to entice residents and tourists to explore the city from a surrey or deuce coupe.

They’re among the multiperson models in Krehbiel’s bike-rental business, Wheel Fun Rentals, that she opened over the weekend out of the Riverside Market on Northwest Riverside Avenue. The bikes are expected to generate traffic for both Krehbiel and Riverside Market owners.

”I’m very hopeful that we will have a lot of people come by and bike,” said Riverside Market co-owner Patty McLean. ”I think Bend really lends itself to this kind of thing and hopefully it will be a tourism draw.”

Wheel Fun Rentals is a franchise based in Ventura, Calif.

These aren’t one-person, two-wheeled bicycles.

These bikes hold up to six people and are often seen meandering along Southern California boardwalks or at other outdoor locations swarming with tourists and families.

Some of the most popular bikes, called surreys, have seats in front with pedals and steering. The surreys look a little like covered carriages where the riders do all the work.

The past four years, Krehbiel has rented the bikes at Eagle Crest Resort, Black Butte Ranch and in Sisters. She recently ended the Sisters operation due to a lack of customers, opening the door to her entrance in Bend.

”I’ve been trying for three years to come to Bend,” Krehbiel said. ”And when I talked to the Riverside Market owners, they were interested.”

Krehbiel is still negotiating the specifics of operating the business at the market, McLean said. From now until October – or whenever the weather turns bad – McLean expects the bikes to continue renting out of her market, with market employees in charge of the rentals.

If the bike business gets too busy, Krehbiel will add her own employees. For now, she expects to offer four double surrey bikes, two single surrey bikes, two deuce coupes and some additional cruisers and tandems.

A double surrey, which holds up to six people, will cost $30 per hour, Krehbiel said. A single, which holds up to three, will cost $20 per hour and other bikes also will cost $20 per hour.

Krehbiel will offer maps of biking trails around town, but she advises customers not to go through parks.

Riding through parks is prohibited, but bike riders may walk their bikes, said Steve Esselstyn, Bend Police Department community liaison.

No city rules exist regulating the use of multiperson bikes, he said.

”A bike is a bike,” Esselstyn said. ”As long as they aren’t motorized and obey the rules of the road and don’t impede traffic, they’re OK.”

Esselstyn said the larger bikes make wider turns, so drivers should be careful. As always, bikers should take the lane in a roundabout.

Helmets are only required of riders under 16, he added.

Krehbiel’s ultimate goal is to set up a rental operation somewhere more visible, like the Old Mill District. She’s rented the bikes during events in the area, but has no permanent contract with the district.

In the meantime, riders may bike to the Old Mill District along paths and roadways, but must stay out of the store area, said Heidi Berkman, Old Mill District marketing director.