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.
The skateboard style scooters can go around 8 to 12 mph when fully charged, which means their operator is responsible for keeping an eye out for pedestrians traveling on his or her stretch of pavement. The tricycles are able to carry larger batteries and have larger wheels, so some can max out at 18 to 24 mph. The faster the rider, the more serious the injuries which can occur if they are distracted by aches and pains.
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 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.
The skateboard style scooters can go around 8 to 12 mph when fully charged, which means their operator is responsible for keeping an eye out for pedestrians traveling on his or her stretch of pavement. The tricycles are able to carry larger batteries and have larger wheels, so some can max out at 18 to 24 mph. The faster the rider, the more serious the injuries which can occur if they are distracted by aches and pains.
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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