From the Gateway Arch, that iconic symbol of American expansion, to the sprawling historic public space known as Forest Park, to the Cardinals, the Blues and the Anheuser Busch Brewery, there’s no Midwest city on the Mississippi River quite like St. Louis, the next stop in our periodic segment highlighting Trikke Tours the world over.
Whether you’ve never been to the Gateway City or are a lifelong resident, taking a Trikke tour on a three-wheel, light electric vehicle is a great way to see St. Louis, according to Trikke STL Guided Tours, a mobile company operating seasonal tours from March through mid-November. So what happens on a Trikke tour of Missouri’s largest metropolitan area? Here’s what your tour guides at Trikke STL Guided Tours had to say in our Q&A:
Q: What are the advantages of taking a Trikke tour, as opposed to other kinds of tours, including walking tours, bus tours and bike tours?
A: This is not your same old walking/bus riding/”are we done yet” tour! Since Trikkes have a stable, three-wheel base of support, they are simple to get started on and have a quick learning curve. Ease of use = Less training. Basic bicycle-riding knowledge transfers quickly to the new rider, and electric Trikkes are very intuitive and easy to control. Forget crowded sightseeing tours and busses! Come with us to discover the Gateway City, or just ride around and have the most fun ever! You won’t have to worry about being hunched over handlebars, chafing your posterior on a seat, or craning your neck to see in front of you. The electric Trikke Pon-e is “clean and green,” leaving minimal impact on the riding surface. They are battery powered and emit zero emissions. They are also very quiet, so they don’t disturb wildlife or the public. Trikkes are blazing the green trail with technology that’s 100% green!
“…take selfies with the Gateway Arch, ride out over the Mississippi River…”
Q: What kind of people are best suited for Trikke tours?
A: While guests find our electric Trikkes to be especially easy to ride, all riders must be able to perform such tasks as going up and down stairs without assistance. You must be able to stand on the Trikke for the length of the tour. No Trikke riding is experience necessary. A comprehensive training and practice session is provided prior to each tour. The Trikke is incredibly stable, safe and can be mastered in a few minutes. Riders should also be reasonably acclimated to outdoor activities and able to tolerate sun, heat and humidity. Trikke STL Guided Tours reserves the right to decline a rider if we determine there’s a safety issue.
Q: What are some of the things one might see on a St. Louis Trikke tour?
A: Whether you’ve never been to St. Louis or have lived here your whole life, this is a great way to see the city. Depending on the tour, you can take selfies with the Gateway Arch, ride out over the Mississippi River on the Eads Bridge, visit the Enterprise Center, home of the St. Louis Blues hockey team, or Busch Stadium, home of the 11-time World Champion St. Louis Cardinals and the new Ballpark Village. Then there’s the city’s “crown jewel,” Forest Park, featuring the St. Louis Zoo, the St. Louis Art Museum, the Missouri History Museum and the St. Louis Science Center, home of the 1904 World’s Fair.
Other notable sites on the tours we offer include the Anheuser Busch Brewery and Soulard Farmers Market, as well as two of St. Louis’ oldest and most charming neighborhoods, Soulard and Lafayette Square, with their Victorian mansions and much more. At Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum – the other history museum with over 87,000 graves — we explore the lives — and hear the famous and infamous stories – of folks like explorer William Clark (of Lewis and Clark), Anheuser Busch founder Adolphus Busch, US Senator Thomas Hart Benton and author William S. Burroughs.
Q: Is riding an electric Trikke for a Trikke tour easy for most people to learn?
A: Yes! It takes very little time to become proficient on a Trikke. As long as you can stand up, you can ride a Trikke. However, unexpected and unfortunate things can and do occasionally happen, and you should be aware that you will be riding at your own risk. If you follow your tour guide’s instructions, wear the provided safety helmet, pay attention to yourself, others and your surrounding area, and use common sense, your tour will be safe, comfortable, and fun. We will patiently work with you until you are sufficiently proficient on your Trikke and safety is always emphasized.
Q: What kinds of reactions do you get from people who have been on your Trikke tours?
A: We always have people stop and ask “what are those?” Often, those same people come and do a tour with us, especially after hearing from others how fun and easy-to-ride the Trikke is.
Q: Are Trikke tours good for groups or organizations?
A: We do team builders and specialized tours for larger groups, and we strive to have a personal approach to the group or event.
Q: What are some of your favorite stops along your Trikke tour?
A: The St. Louis Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium, the Anheuser Busch Brewery, so many in Forest Park.
Q: How old do you have to be to go on a Trikke tour?
A: 10 to 101. Anyone under 18 must be attended by a parent or guardian, no exceptions!
Q: Anything else you would like to add about your particular Trikke tour?
A: We are a mobile company operating our seasonal tours from the first day of spring in March through mid-November. We transport our innovative three-wheeled electric Trikke fleet to many Greater St Louis locations. Being mobile affords our patrons unlimited and never-ending choices of locations from which to “carve” on our Trikkes.
After operating as tour guides for other guided tours in the St Louis area and also being members of the Professional Tour Guide Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (PTGSTL), we were looking for new ways to add to the touring experience. We found Trikke — simply the coolest, portable, electric-powered carving vehicles on the planet.
Our guides are also certified Trikke trainers and instruct you on how to properly operate your Trikke, making sure that you are comfortable and confident in no time. Our tour guides tell you fun facts about each site and are willing to snap photos for you. You will have an amazing time learning about the city while having a blast on the Trikke.
Trikke STL Guided Tours can be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TripAdvisor.
Photos from Trikke STL Guided Tours:
