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I'm all for alternative entry level transportation... that can stand up by itself. How about a nice e-Tricycle with a basket on the back? I'd prefer not to go

by brm 9y ago

I'm all for alternative entry level transportation... that can stand up by itself. How about a nice e-Tricycle with a basket on the back? I'd prefer not to go tumbling to to ground or into traffic if I make a mistake on my bike or someone else makes a mistake and I fall down for it. That'd be truly entry-level.

wffurr 9y ago
Put an aerodynamic fairing on the front and a roof to keep out rain and you have the classic electric velomobile, of which there have been variations for 100 years. Unfortunately, the issue with tricycles is the additional space they take up and their reduced maneuverability. They are hard to use on most extant cycle infrastructure, hard to transition to sidewalks or off street paths, hard to park, and quite heavy. They do enable a people to ride who might not otherwise be able to, but without better infrastructure (protected bike lanes of sufficient width) or slower more forgiving car traffic, they just aren't practical.
driverdan 9y ago
Laws vary. For example, TX does not consider tricycles to be a bicycle. It would be considered a motorcycle. In general the law is not enforced but it might be for an electric trike.
- Broken_Hippo 9y ago
  This seems really confusing. Is it like this only for powered bicycles/tricycles or for human powered ones as well. Do you happen to know what the state does for disabled folks needs the tricycle over the bicycle due to their disabilities?
  - driverdan 9y ago
    IIRC TX state law defines a bicycle as having two wheels, pedals, and no gasoline engine but includes electric. As far as I could find when I read the law it does not include trikes at all, meaning they qualify as mopeds or motorcycles.
rwmj 9y ago
You might be looking for something more car-like such as the electric TWIZY (https://www.renault.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/twizy.html https://www.renault.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/twizy.html). For extra wierd, try the diesel Aixam Coupe (https://www.aixam.com/en/licence-free-car-coupe/gti https://www.aixam.com/en/licence-free-car-coupe/gti). In the UK these are classified as quadbikes and can be driven by moped-only licensed drivers (aged 16+, normally you need to be 17 to drive).
petre 9y ago
What I'd like to see offered on the market is a recumbent tadpole E-Trike.

by brm 9y ago

wffurr 9y ago

Put an aerodynamic fairing on the front and a roof to keep out rain and you have the classic electric velomobile, of which there have been variations for 100 years. Unfortunately, the issue with tricycles is the additional space they take up and their reduced maneuverability. They are hard to use on most extant cycle infrastructure, hard to transition to sidewalks or off street paths, hard to park, and quite heavy. They do enable a people to ride who might not otherwise be able to, but without better infrastructure (protected bike lanes of sufficient width) or slower more forgiving car traffic, they just aren't practical.

driverdan 9y ago

Laws vary. For example, TX does not consider tricycles to be a bicycle. It would be considered a motorcycle. In general the law is not enforced but it might be for an electric trike.

Broken_Hippo 9y ago
This seems really confusing. Is it like this only for powered bicycles/tricycles or for human powered ones as well. Do you happen to know what the state does for disabled folks needs the tricycle over the bicycle due to their disabilities?
- driverdan 9y ago
  IIRC TX state law defines a bicycle as having two wheels, pedals, and no gasoline engine but includes electric. As far as I could find when I read the law it does not include trikes at all, meaning they qualify as mopeds or motorcycles.

rwmj 9y ago

You might be looking for something more car-like such as the electric TWIZY (https://www.renault.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/twizy.html https://www.renault.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/twizy.html). For extra wierd, try the diesel Aixam Coupe (https://www.aixam.com/en/licence-free-car-coupe/gti https://www.aixam.com/en/licence-free-car-coupe/gti). In the UK these are classified as quadbikes and can be driven by moped-only licensed drivers (aged 16+, normally you need to be 17 to drive).

petre 9y ago

What I'd like to see offered on the market is a recumbent tadpole E-Trike.