The Trikkes Tour of Paris Sites & Attractions
The two-hour tour is a lot of fun because you get to see a good 20 historic sites and attractions up close. Guy, who owns Paris Trikkes, sets a governor on each trikke so we can't go faster than the law allows in this city. But, we still zip along at a pace much faster than one could walk, to beginning exploring.From time to time, we stop and our guide gives the history of a building, statue or museum, as we snap photos. We rode past the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais, stopped on the Alexander 3rd Bridge to take a picture of boats gliding on the Seine, viewed the statue of Joan of Arc, rode through part of the Jardin des Tuileries, and had our pictures taken in front of the Louvre.
Near the end of the tour, we rode underneath the base of the Eiffel Tower when it was backlit by the sinking sun. Stopping for a photo, I realized that we'd seen more of Paris' sites and attraction than one could while walking all day, and from a different perspective than we would have had popping in and out of buses and the metro.
While many Parisians and tourists have seen segways, trikkes still stand out. People snap pictures as you motor by. Others stop you and ask about the trikkes and where you found out about the tour. (Including one 80-year-old woman who wanted to know all about how the trikkes worked.)
Learning to Ride a Trikke
Picture the three-wheeled tricycles you rode when you were a young child. The trikke I rode also has three wheels but you stand the entire time. There's a wheel in front, and two more, one under each ski-like board where you put your feet. Even when you've stopped, it easy to stay upright. These trikkes have handlebars, which you use to steer just as if you were on a bicycle. There is a speed throttle, which you control. The brake controls are in the same position they are on mountain bikes, so when you want to slow down or stop, just squeeze the brake controls. The trikkes even have a bell, so you can warn pedestrians you are coming up behind them.According to the manufacturers, the trikkes are built with a three-point cambering (leaning) system that allows the frame to lean into the turns while keeping all three wheels on the ground. The motors are electric, so there's no pollution.
Trikkes Versus Segways
I've gone on segway tours, too. The machines handle very differently. Riding on a segway is like riding on a snowboard, because both feet are on the same board. The segway is motorized and you lean forward, when you want to go forward. When you want to stop, you lean backward, so the reverse torque slows the motor down until you stop.The trikke has more flexibility, so on wide sidewalks I could even mimic slalom skiing, steering myself in wide swooping turns. The disc brakes are a great feature, especially when a pedestrian suddenly steps in front of you without a warning.
Where to Book a Trikke Tour of Paris
During the two-hour tours you ride by 20 historical sites. You can book guided one-hour and two-hour tours. Rentals may also be available. The groups are usually small.Paris Trikke Tours is located in the Village Suisse, a building that's just off the Motte-Picquet metro stop. For more information and to book online go to Paris Trikkes or call +33 6 48 79 96 34.
More Ways to Explore Cities
- Touring Shanghai, China, vintage sidecar.
- Taking a bicycle tour of Beijing's hutongs.
- Bike along the Berlin Wall Trail in Germany.
