Tricycle Advantages & Disadvantages: Are Trikes Easy To Ride?

Bicycles will often come to mind when considering a way to travel around a city. But there is another option, the tricycle. But what are some of the advantages of choosing a tricycle?

Stability is the most significant advantage of owning a tricycle, making it suitable for the elderly, those with a disability, or children. Tricycles come in a wide range of styles, so cyclists can find one that suits their needs. Plus, tricycles can carry a lot of weight. 

With so many benefits, it’s no wonder that bike shop owners report a surge of interest in tricycles. Often, they will be viewed as a more versatile alternative to the bicycle.

Keep reading to learn more about why a tricycle might be your ideal choice.

What Are The Advantages Of A Tricycle?

There are many valid reasons why you might choose a tricycle. Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits this mode of transport can provide.

1. Tricycles Are Easy To Ride And Dismount

Because a tricycle has three wheels, it will be more stable than a bicycle. This makes them easier to ride. For many children, a tricycle will be one of the first toys they receive.

Plus, there is no chance they will topple over as you ride them. Even better, a tricycle doesn’t require you to balance it when stationary, which makes it easy to ride and dismount.

2. Tricycles Can Carry A Substantial Amount Of Weight

Many tricycles will come with a sturdy frame. This allows them to carry a substantial amount of weight. This makes them a great choice to use as cargo bikes or for heavier riders. There are a few ways to carry gear on a tricycle. These include:

• Panniers
• Baskets on the front of the bike
• Some models allow you to mount a large basket behind the bike

A tricycle might be sufficient to carry your groceries and can act as a car replacement for those who live in the city. Depending on the model, tricycles can carry up to 400 pounds.

If you are planning on towing a substantial weight, it’s best to choose a foldable electric tricycle. The motor will provide pedal assistance to make moving more manageable, especially if going uphill.

3. Trikes Come In A Wide Range Of Styles

There is a wide range of tricycles available for you to choose from. This ensures that you can find one that fits your preferred tricycle riding style. Here are some of the most common trike options:

• Foldable tricycles for adults. They offer the same advantages as regular tricycles, with the added advantage of being folded to a more compact size for transportation or storage.
• Recumbent. These are best for people who are facing spinal problems. In this case, you can lean back, stretching your feet out in front of you.
• Tadpole. In this case, there will be two wheels in front of the trike and only one at the back.
• Hand-powered tricycles. You will commonly use your feet and legs to drive a trike. But, for some disabilities, this can be a challenge. Because of this, some models will allow you to pedal using your hands.
• Cargo. These have been designed to carry a high amount of weight. Sometimes, these might come with a large basket at the back of the bike.

There are a few other ways you can customize your tricycle selection.

For example, you might want to choose a model that comes with an electric engine. Alternatively, you can change the type of seat post. Sometimes, a rider might opt for a padded chair, which provides more spinal support.

4. Great For Hilly Areas

On a bicycle, the rider needs to maintain forward momentum. If they can’t do this, the bike will become unstable. This is why some riders need to dismount to head up a hill; they don’t have the momentum necessary for the incline.

However, a tricycle operates differently.

It doesn’t rely on forward momentum. As a result, you should be able to select a low gear and slowly pedal your way to the top of the hill.

5. Good For Children

One of the first gifts your child will receive is a tricycle. This plays a pivotal role in their development. For example, they will be able to learn how to develop their sense of balance.

They can also learn about spatial awareness.

The newfound mobility can help them build their sense of independence.

6. Suitable For Special Needs Groups

Some people rely on tricycles to help them achieve a more mobile lifestyle. Some of these groups include:

• Elderly people
• Disabled people
• Those who are trying to recover from an accident

There are a few reasons why tricycles are such a popular choice. They are highly stable. This ensures that there won’t be any trouble mounting the tricycle.

However, the significant advantage is how easy it is to adjust the tricycle to suit an individual’s needs.

For example, recumbent seats can be designed to wrap around the cyclist for additional back support. For other riders, it might be best to add a seatbelt, so there is no risk of folding off the tricycle.

What Are The Disadvantages Of A Tricycle?

One of the main drawbacks is the size and shape of the tricycle. This can make it a little unwieldy to drive and store. The weight can slow it down. Sometimes, the rider will sit so low on a recumbent trike that they might have trouble seeing the road. 

A tricycle can offer a wide range of benefits. However, there are a few drawbacks that you will need to consider. These can include:

1. It can be unwieldy. These will be substantially larger than a bicycle which can make tricycles a little harder to maneuver, especially if space is tight. For example, it might take up the bike lane, making overtaking someone challenging.
2. We might have visibility problems. You might ride low to the ground in a recumbent tricycle. As a result, it will be harder to see what is coming. Poor visibility can be a big problem if you plan to take it into busy areas, like riding on the street.
3. Storing tricycles can be a challenge. Due to their large size, finding a place to store a tricycle can be difficult. This can also make touring with the bike harder, as you might not be able to place it on a train or bus.
4. Mechanical work can be more complex. Some riders report that it can be challenging to maintain a tricycle. If you have any significant issues, like a need to replace the chain, you might want to take it to your local bicycle store.
5. A tricycle might be slower than a bicycle. Tricycles aren’t usually known for their high speeds due to their increased weight. However, if performance is important, it might be a good idea to purchase one that comes with an electric motor.

Many of these problems can be quickly addressed.

For example, if you plan to tour with your tricycle, you should be able to disassemble it to make it more compact. Furthermore, as tricycles become more popular, more support will be available online to help you deal with any mechanical problems you face.

Final Thoughts

There are pros and cons to tricycles. In most cases, though, the good will outweigh the bad. After all, tricycles can be helpful to people of all ages and backgrounds.

For example, you might want a powerful cargo trike for your groceries. Or you might wish for a tricycle designed to fit the needs of a disabled loved one.