Cousins of Anwar Shabazz, on scooters and mopeds for rent at Joyride [Anwar Shabazz/Joyride Chicago]
WICKER PARK — Just in time for summer cruising, a vintage moped and scooter rental shop that will also offer guided tours through city neighborhoods is opening in Wicker Park on Tuesday.
Located at 1415 N. Ashland Ave., Joyride Chicago Moped & Scooter Rentals is owned by Anwar Shabazz and Armando Acena.
The two met through a mutual friend.
"He had the expertise on the bikes and I had the knowledge of the business and marketing. It was really a perfect match," said Shabazz of Acena, who is co-piloting the 1,500 square-foot storefront, which when fully stocked will offer a fleet of over 20 bikes including brands like Vespas, Yamaha, and lower-end Chinese-made scooters, Shabazz said.
Alisa Hauser says the company will also offer moped tours:
Shabazz said the majority of Joyride's scooters and mopeds are vintage 50 cc, a lightweight class that was manufactured from 1962 to 1983 and has speeds restricted to no more than 30 miles per hour.
Joyride will also rent out a few newer model scooters and carry other styles like trikes (3-wheeled scooters), Honda Rukuses, motorcycles and street ready dirty bikes, Shabazz said.
Often called "street legal," the ready-to-ride dirt bikes need to meet state and federal regulations, such as having tires approved for roads and rearview mirrors, reports Motosport.
Along with rentals, Joyride Chicago will also be hosting small moped tours taking tourists as far north as Evanston and as far south as Hyde Park, with a cap of 10 participants per tour, Shabazz said.
For rent at Joyride [Anwar Shabazz/Joyride Chicago]
A valid drivers license and being age 18 and over are the only requirements needed to rent a scooter, along with a $300 deposit on credit card, according to Joyride Chicago's website. Note: A car driver's license can be used to rent the 50 cc models, but a motorcycle license is required for folks wanting to rent a Yamaha Zuma 125, Honda Reflex 250 or Vespa 250 GTS.
Scooter rentals are $40 per hour, or $120 for the day, with special rates for 3 hours ($60) and 6 hours ($80). Rates include a helmet, unlimited miles and roadside assistance.
"We're going to create a unique setting here at Joyride, with tours people can actually get that real Chicagoan experience with, along with safe and affordable bikes, anyone would be able to go for a Joyride," Shabzaz said in an email on Sunday.
Joyride Chicago Moped & Scooter Rentals, 1415 N. Ashland Ave (Rear Entry). Ph: 773-917-RYDE (7933). Hours are noon to 6 p.m. daily. Closed Monday and Tuesday (except for Cinco de Mayo) For updates, follow Joyride on Facebook, or Twitter, @Joyridechicago.
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