Punch Buggy Express: a children's pedal bus rolls into Saskatoon!
Here’s some ‘wheelie’ exciting news, our city has just welcomed its first and only children’s pedal bus. It is, in fact, the first of its kind in Canada! The Punch Buggy Express, a junior version of the pedal pubs you know, is a playful and fun way to explore the spacious, paved Meewasin trails in the heart of downtown while getting some fresh air and exercise. “Tell me more,” you say? I’ll do just that.
Wildernook Fresh Air Learning, which we all know and love, is passionate about gifting outdoor learning experiences to kids of all ages, getting them hooked on nature and in mind of a realistic, sustainable future. Enter the pedal bike! Supported by Wildernook, the City of Saskatoon, DTNYXE, and Outter Limits, it’s a multi-kid mode of transportation unlike anything our city (nay, whole country) has seen before.
Would this be a magical birthday party? YES. A memorable family reunion activity? OF COURSE. But there doesn’t need to be a big occasion to get some friends together or plan a daycare trip for a river run! And as we get into July, keep your eyes peeled to snag one of the walk-on (ride on?) spots in the Round Trip Mini Tour, which will depart from Nutrien Wonderhub weekday mornings, every half hour. The cost will be $9/ per person for two, or $6/per person if you’ve got a bigger group.
On weekends, the River Landing to Meewason Rink route is currently operating as a full bus booking only, but there are plans to add individual tickets and to open that route up to weekdays as well. You can follow Punch Buggy Express on Instagram to stay in the loop.
Your Cycle Guide makes interpretive pit stops along the way as time allows. On our tour, for example, we stopped at the outdoor gym and again for a stretch by the fountain. Because Owner Claire and her staff are so knowledgeable about the outdoors, even I was listening in closely as we paused by the river to look for pelicans.
This ride is suitable for children aged 3 – 13. 14 – 18 years can ride, too, so long as they book an adult seat of which there are two extra. I rode on one, of course!
Petra and her friends had the honour of being the ‘spokes’-people for this Punch Buggy Express post and they were absolutely grinning for the duration of the ride. Later, when I asked Petra for her review of the experience, her reply was full-body: a happy dance.
Of course, we ended with Dole Whip from River Landing Snacks! Book your private Punch Buggy Express tour here, starting at only $50 for up to 10 people including two adults, with no need to fill every seat. And may I recommend, take one of those two adults seats. It’ll make you feel like a kid again!
xo Maygen
