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Thursday, June 6, 2019

Balance IS The Advantage Of An Electric Tricycle

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.

Children of all ages love the accelerated pace of a power scooter, and they do not seem to mind that it makes them stand up all day. Us older folks are wise to this though, and we know sitting comfortably ensures a safer ride home. We did not jump on the fad right away because we prefer sitting to standing when traveling our favorite city.

Having a straight-back but sitting posture allows us to spend more time riding around, as stiffness in our lower backs and soreness on our feet is a distraction. We saw long ago that those upright stick-handles were just a little too low to hold onto without being stooped forward. This pose actually encourages adults to ride these skateboard style scooters with no hands.

There are some models which are made to fit an adult body. However, most of the skateboard-style scooters have an upright handle that is just low enough to require the rider to assume a stooped posture. This position is not going to foster comfort, and the greater the discomfort, the greater the danger of an accident.

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 allow the rider/driver to sit in an upright pose that promotes greater alertness to their environment. A nice round seat, probably chosen to match the size of their own bum, is the most ideal scenario for a long day of site seeing in the city. Even if one has lost their driving license for motor cars twenty years prior, they are still able to safely motor themselves to whatever destination they set their sites on.

Since we are all notorious thrill seekers, breaks are a required element of the tricycles we speed about on. Scooters have not always included much of a breaking system, and this limits the operator to being a rider instead of a driver. Since there is the welfare of pedestrians, as well as the well-being of the rider/driver at stake, it only makes sense that one have adequate breaking availability at eight miles per hour.

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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