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 scooter is designed to fit adults, that upright handle is still too short. Yes, we know the pivot control model requires the short handle in order to pivot in all directions, but that is no excuse. No one is happy after standing hunched over for a harrowing four to six miles of city traffic.
Anyone riding upon such a contraption must be aware of the same dangers as any pedestrian. Only difference is, this pedestrian is moving at 8 to 15 mph, able to pass bicycles going uphill, and certainly capable of getting into catastrophic accidents. The older the rider, the more catastrophic the injuries are likely to be.
One is able to choose the style of seat they prefer. There are even sporty models that position the driver either leaning forward, or laying backward, in order to achieve greater speed through the magic of aerodynamics. Most of us are quite happy with a big, round seat that matches the size of our aging buttocks.
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.
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 scooter is designed to fit adults, that upright handle is still too short. Yes, we know the pivot control model requires the short handle in order to pivot in all directions, but that is no excuse. No one is happy after standing hunched over for a harrowing four to six miles of city traffic.
Anyone riding upon such a contraption must be aware of the same dangers as any pedestrian. Only difference is, this pedestrian is moving at 8 to 15 mph, able to pass bicycles going uphill, and certainly capable of getting into catastrophic accidents. The older the rider, the more catastrophic the injuries are likely to be.
One is able to choose the style of seat they prefer. There are even sporty models that position the driver either leaning forward, or laying backward, in order to achieve greater speed through the magic of aerodynamics. Most of us are quite happy with a big, round seat that matches the size of our aging buttocks.
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.
About the Author:
Enjoy a ride on a top of the range electric tricycle by browsing the online store. To choose your favorite trike go to http://www.utahtrikes.com/recenttrikes.html.
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