Expert's E-Trike Guide for Adults over 60

According to data from the World Economic Forum (WEF), more than 2 billion bikes are currently being actively ridden around the world. And per the WEF, that number is expected to rise to around 5 billion bikes by the year 2050. Between then and now, it's a good bet that many of the bikes that are purchased and ridden will be electric bikes.

The electric bike, or e-bike, market is currently valued at around $27 billion - and it's expected to increase up to about $54.5 billion by the year 2027 and then increase up to $118 billion by 2030. That's a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of between 10.5 and 12.25 percent over this span, which is significant.

One of the reasons that electric bikes have become so popular is that they still allow riders to get exercise while pedaling - they're just designed to offer a little bit of help and convenience while they're doing it. Another reason is that e-bikes are becoming increasingly available in a great range of formats. Gone are the days of the e-bike cruiser and here are the days of the mountain e-bike, commuter e-bike and, yes, even the electric tricycle, or e-trike.

In this post, we'll talk more about the e-trike and why it's such an ideal purchase for adults over the age of 60. Read on to learn more about e-trikes.

E-Trikes: An Overview

As the name implies, electric tricycles are three-wheel bikes - most commonly with a design that consists of a single front wheel and two rear wheels. In this section, we'll get into the bevy of benefits that e-trikes offer, especially for people over the age of 60. We'll also discuss key uses and what people should look for when weighing what type of electric tricycle to purchase.

As we alluded to earlier in this section, e-trikes have a variety of benefits - especially for older people and/or people with mobility issues. Here's a look at the range of benefits you can realize when purchasing an electric tricycle:

• They are easy to mount and balance on: This is perhaps the biggest reason why purchasing an e-trike is such a great purchase for older populations. Unlike conventional two-wheel bikes that may be more difficult to mount and balance on, e-trikes are more stable thanks to their three-wheel configuration. This allows older and mobility-impaired people to more easily mount/dismount and balance on them, making riding more convenient all around. This is the best bike for elderly people because it's also the safest type of bike there is.
• Electric assist and throttle: Most e-bikes come with two features: electric assist mode and electric throttle mode. Electric assist mode, as the name implies, compliments conventional pedaling by providing some assistance from the electric motor. Electric throttle mode involves full electric takeover of the bicycle, so no additional pedaling is involved. Again, this is another great feature for people over 60, as electric assist mode can help prevent fatigue and full electric throttle mode can help riders get needed breaks, particularly on longer rides or uphill parts of the ride.
• It's great exercise: As we noted above, don't let the electric assist or throttle features fool you when it comes to electric bikes and providing some great physical exercise. And because pedaling is a low-impact exercise with little strain on the joints, it's a type of exercise that many senior citizens are able to do at that stage of their life.
• Versatile: We'll get more into their versatility and usage in the next section, but know that electric bikes can be outfitted with a number of accessories and serve a variety of purposes - whether you're just riding through the neighborhood on a leisurely stroll or whether you're running errands with it.
• Affordability: Electric bicycles - including the e-trike - have become increasingly affordable as technology has improved and as e-bikes have grown in popularity. These days, it's not uncommon for riders to be able to purchase a high-quality electric bike for under $2,000. Some are even priced under $1,000.
• Sustainable transportation: E-bikes are a sustainable alternative to internal combustion vehicles, as they don't emit any harmful emissions. What's more, riders can save money on fuel when riding an e-bike compared to driving a vehicle. In some cities, bikes have overtaken motor vehicles as the most common form of transportation.
• It's fun: Cycling is flat-out fun and enjoyable. Bikes can go places that cars cannot, like the nature trail or the park, while riders get exercise and enjoy the outdoors. Whether you're taking a short ride around the neighborhood or a longer ride on a trail, there's never a bad time to ride a bike. And when you can combine cycling with taking care of chores or running errands - something that becomes more practical with the storage basket on an e-trike - and you can make the things you have to do much more enjoyable by also incorporating something that you like to do. It's a win-win.
• Just because it's worth mentioning again, e-trikes present a safe riding option - especially for senior citizens who still want to get physical exercise by cycling. Because they're stable to ride and easier to mount and dismount than conventional bicycles, they can offer peace of mind for riders, caregivers and family members or friends who may be concerned about their loved one still riding a bike.

As we said above, e-trikes are great for a number of uses. They're ideal for simply cruising the neighborhood or nearby park to get some fresh air and exercise on a nice day. But their versatility and accessories also open these types of bikes up to other uses as well. For example:

• Most e-bikes have a rear basket located behind the seat and between the two back wheels. This makes it easy to run errands with or transport goods or other materials over a short distance. Some e-trikes also have front baskets and it's easy to add other storage compartments to the setup.
• Prefer to ride with a friend? Some e-trikes also feature passenger seats so another rider can join you or so you can give others a ride when you're out for a cycle.
• Don't need a basket, but want some storage space? Most e-trikes are customizable, so pouches and other small storage spaces can be seamlessly added to the frame at no inconvenience to the rider.

So what should you be looking for with an e-trike purchase?

One of the biggest considerations should be the range of the electric battery based on how you intend to ride the bike. Most standard e-bikes can get up to 40 miles on pedal assist mode and around 20 miles on full electric throttle mode, but this metric certainly varies based on the type of electric motor that's powering the bike. Also important to consider is how fast the battery recharges after it's depleted. Some batteries may take as long as eight hours to recharge, while others take a few hours.

Other considerations to look for in an e-trike include:

• Comfort and ergonomics: Regardless of your age or what type of bike you're purchasing, you don't want to buy a bike that's not comfortable and not a good fit for your body type. Additionally, think about your riding posture on the bike while pedaling. Some e-trikes even feature seat backrests to make for an even more comfortable ride.
• Fit: Before you purchase a bike - regardless of what type of bike it is - you want to make sure that you've been properly fit tested. This ensures that the bike is suitable for your body. It's easy to get fit tested - you can either do it in person at your local bike shop or you can even do it online.
• Tire size: On their own, e-trikes are incredibly stable and sturdy thanks to their three-wheel configuration. But if you want the bike to become even more sturdy, you can opt for larger wheel sizes. For instance, some e-trikes are outfitted with fat tires to not just offer more balance and sturdiness, but also grip the road or trail better.

Now that we've covered some of the basics of what you need to know about a good, quality e-trike, you might be wondering what some of the best options are on the market today. When it comes to the ideal all-around electric tricycle, you simply can't go wrong with the EVRYjourney from SixThreeZero.

Featuring a 250 watt electric motor, the e-trike features both pedal assist and throttle mode. It can reach speeds of up to 15 miles per hour in full electric throttle mode and up to 28 miles per hour in pedal assist. And what's really neat is the distance the 250 watt electric motor can achieve. In pedal assist mode, it can take riders up to 60 miles. On full electric throttle mode, it can take riders up to 40 miles.

Let's take a look at some of the other factors that make the EVRYjourney such an ideal e-trike purchase for senior citizens:

Frame Design

The frame is designed in a way so that riders pedal in an upright riding position and pedal in a forward manner. This upright riding position also helps reduce strain on the back, hips, shoulders and knees. The bike is also designed to be low to the ground, making it easier for older riders to mount and dismount. It's ideal for leisure, commuting and cruising.

Comfort

Comfort and ergonomics are key - especially for older people who may be living with joint pain and have mobility issues. The last thing you want to do is ride a bike that's uncomfortable or puts undue stress on any joints.

We already talked about how the frame design of the EVRYjourney helps to promote a forward pedaling motion, but what about its comfort? Dubbed the most comfortable electric tricycle ever, EVRYjourney takes things to the max. The seat is packed with foam and engineered to be as soft as possible. The grips are soft to the touch and easy to hold, crafted from synthetic leather. It doesn't matter if you're short or small - the EVRYjourney trike fits riders as short as 5 feet and as tall as 6 feet 2 inches in height.

Model Options

The EVRYjourney 250 watt electric tricycle isn't the only e-trike option from SixThreeZero. SixThreeZero also offers an EVRYjourney electric tricycle rickshaw 750 watt model with a passenger seat. The 750 watt model is a little different than the standard EVRYjourney trike. Instead of a rear basket, it has a passenger seat in the back between the two rear tires. It can be an ideal option for riders - especially older riders - who might want to take their young grandchildren with them on rides. Because of the potential for extra weight, it also comes with a larger motor to power it.

Other Features

There are a variety of other features that help the EVRYjourney stand out from other e-trikes in its class. Some of these features include:

• Twenty-six-inch wheels with 1.95-inch semi-slick tires, which provide a cushioned roll and a stable ride. These wider tires also enable riders to traverse different types of terrain.
• A handlebar display that informs riders of how fast they're going and which level of pedal assist is administered.
• A thumb throttle to activate full electric throttle mode.
• Optional accessories, such as a phone holder, pannier bag, mount bag with cell phone pocket, super max extra comfortable seat and more.

Contact SixThreeZero Today

For more information on the electric tricycle and the EVRYjourney trike from SixThreeZero, contact us today. We believe that cycling is for everyone - regardless of age, body type or physical limitations. And it's a big reason why the e-trike is gaining momentum as a viable cycling option for riders.

Contact SixThreeZero today to learn more and get started on your next electric bicycle purchase.