As soon as Elvis Lieban moved to Boston from the West Coast he began looking for bike-related jobs.
Yesterday, Lieban, 23, had his heart set on working for Equal Exchange Cafe, an on-the-go coffee brewer that pedals around the city selling organic roast to passers-by.
“In California, we have coffee bikes, but they are tiny. This is a far advanced brew on a cart,” said Lieban.
Aliza Gordon, 23, handles one of two coffee tricycles Exchange has in Boston.
She sets up shop outside of the MGH T stop most mornings, and then pedals, with coffee brewery in tow, to Copley by early afternoon.
“Food trucks are taking off, but none of them are attached to a bike,” she said.
Five days a week, Gordon serves up the certified fair trade, all organic coffee, in 100 percent compostable plastic and paper cups from a customized tricycle supporting the minicafe.
Whether hot or cold, the brew is boiled right there on the back of the bike using a battery-operated system.
Gordon has been behind the wheel since January, bearing the bitter cold and now the sweltering summer heat to deliver coffee to commuters.
Despite the more than 100 Dunkin’ Donuts locations citywide, coffee-cravers are skipping the mainstream and going organic.
“The bike is an innovative way to bring coffee to the people,” said John Klien, 22, as he stopped for an iced coffee.
Klien said the idea of a “nonbox” store, where products are safe for the environment, was also appealing.
Not to mention, the taste, he said.
Business by bike
Upper Crust Pizza pedals around Boston delivering pies from the back of a basket on their bikes.
Boston PediCab tows travelers by bike, through traffic. The bike-cab company is “faster than walking or the Green Line,” according to their website.
Follow Steve Annear on Twitter @steveannear
