The Electric Tricycle Improved An Excellent Idea

By Edward Turner


Rechargeable vehicles in our cities have revolutionized what it means to be a pedestrian. It makes truly commuting on foot possible for distances over two miles, and allows for speedy short trips without belching exhaust into the air. However, before you put an engine on your skateboard, you should take a longer look at the electric tricycle.

Most of us have seen young people from ages five to twenty-five speeding down sidewalks on scooters. It rarely occurs to ask ourselves why people from age fifty-five to seventy-five have failed to take advantage of such an economic means of transport. Well, the problem with the scooter is balance, and to a lesser extent, comfort.

Older people may need to sit as often as they stand when traveling. The standing pose is forced upon us with both traditional standing scooters, as well as their counterpart most commonly referred to as a Segway. The basic design involves only two wheels with an upright handle.

Even if the model is designed to fit a taller adult, it is still standing. Discomfort creates distractions just as dangerous as a cell phone or the loose dog down the street. Older people really cannot risk having an accident, especially since the tricycles are sometimes designed to go faster than scooters or their Segway counterpart.

Pedestrians are just as much of a hazard on the scooter roads as cars and trucks. In fact, scooters travel the same sidewalks as pedestrians and bicyclers alike, but at three to five times the speed. Accidents which cause grievous injuries are just as possible whether they involve automobiles, bicycles, other scooters, people, or stray pets.

Tricycles have solved the issue of standing since the traditional style includes a large, rounded seat positioned in the center of three wheels. There are models which include cloth or leather cushioned seats of varying size. This most certainly allows even an octogenarian many hours of comfortable travel.

Breaking systems come standard on most tricycles, along with rear-view mirrors that should have been standard on bicycles a century ago. Many scooters, including the motorized variety, were without breaks in the beginning. However, as these vehicles become more and more a part of city travel, breaking systems standard just makes sense.

Other safety features available are a horn to warn others of their approach, headlamp and rear lights, and the bright colors available all help them to stand out in any light. One might even string LED lights through the wheel spokes in order to increase their visibility. Like bicycles, little can be done in the event of rain, but many models can be folded down to make it easier to carry on a bus or train.

Unfortunately, the one safety feature that cannot be bought is sense enough to hold the front wheel with both hands. Tricycles are generally stable when ridden properly, as it is based on a tripod structure. However, not every rider understands that their body makes part of the tripod, and without a foot on each pedal and a hand on each handle, the intended design is incomplete.




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