A Tampa couple has launched an unusual bike rental venture.

Dan and Amanda Fleischbein are the owners of Tampa Bay Waterbike, which rents pedal-driven biyaks and waterbikes to float along Tampa Bay.

Biyaks are part bike and part kayak. Waterbikes are part bike and part catamaran. Both means of transportation give people a unique perspective on the city.

The business is a dream come true for Dan Fleischbein, who used to patrol Tampa's waterways when he served in the U.S. Air Force.

"I've always wanted to get back to the water and never thought about opening a water-based business until this popped up and I was like, 'Man, this could work,' " Fleischbein said.

The idea didn't start off as a popular one. Some thought it was silly, but now the rental waterbikes are turning heads.

"I just thought it looked like it would be pleasant to get out on the water and it really was," said customer Margaret Fowler, who was visiting from New York.

The waterbike rentals start at $30 for an hour.

The business is located at one of the boat slips across from the Tampa Convention Center.