What Seniors Need to Know About Electric Trikes vs Regular Tricycles: Make the Right Choice!

Should seniors buy a regular trike or an electric trike? Hey everyone, I'm Dustin. I have nearly 20 years of experience in the bike and e-bike industry. Today, we're going to answer the question of whether seniors should buy an electric trike or a standard trike. Right here, I've got two e-trikes from Sixthreezero, our 16-inch EZ Transit folding e-trike and our Simple Glide 500-watt recumbent e-trike. Now, let's say you are looking for a tricycle or even maybe an e-trike, and you're on the fence about whether, should jump in and spend the extra money on an electric trike? What are the benefits? I've also done a lot of test rides with many riders over the age of 55, 60, 65, 70, and even 80 years old, and I've gotten a lot of feedback about the benefits of e-trikes versus regular trikes and tons of different information. The first thing is the price difference between a regular trike and an electric trike. Both of these are e-trikes, but I would say, on average, you're going to see a cost difference of at least $1,000 on most regular versus e-trikes.

Now you can get inexpensive e-trikes. I don't recommend going too cheap with them. Maybe the cost difference is $600 to $800, and then some electric trikes can be, you know, several thousand dollars, depending on the features, the design, etc. So obviously, you have to get comfortable spending a little bit more money. Now, I wouldn't let price be the determining factor because if you can utilize all of the features of an electric trike, there's so much more you can do on an e-trike versus a standard trike. Now, True, in plain, simple terms, you can do the same things, right? You can ride around town, you can get exercise, you can get groceries, you name it, you can do all those things. The difference is, is when you put a motor on it, like on these two e-trikes, now it becomes not just a tricycle, but really a personal mobility device. And for a lot of e-trikes out there, specifically these, they have throttles. So not only can you pedal and then get assistance from the motor while you pedal.

But you can also not pedal at all and utilize a throttle, and there are two different types of throttles. There's either a thumb throttle where you push with your thumb or a twist throttle where you twist it to go. So now, essentially, you've turned this tricycle into a personal mobility device. You can cruise around town, not pedal at all, load your groceries up, go out, go shopping, you name it. You can do it all with your tricycle. Now, again, not to say that you can't do it on a tricycle without the motor, but you're going to go much slower, and the terrain you take on is going to be much different than what you can take on with an e-trike. A regular tricycle is going to be very difficult to climb any type of hill, whereas with an e-trike and the motor assistance, you'll be able to take on hills, different terrains, and also longer distances.

Not only that, if you do plan on loading up a heavy load like groceries or whatever you're picking up, the motor will be able to assist you if you increase the weight, whereas on a regular bike, a regular trike, you'll be powering it all under your own power. Now, if you're truly doing it for exercise and you live in a community in an area that's very flat ground, a regular trike might just be right for you. If you're only going to do a mile or so a day and stay in a very confined area, do you need the electric? No. But if you want to get out on some of those trails that are maybe five, ten miles long, and you want to enjoy the scenery, but you're not sure if you can power yourself the whole way, under your own power, the electric is great because you can pedal without the motor. You don't have to use the motor if you don't want to. But at any point, if you start struggling, utilize the motor, and then the trike can help you do a lot of the work, and you don't have to be stressed out about powering yourself home.

So, something to think about if there are some trails or places you've wanted to go, but you're scared that you can't do it on your power. Now, in addition to that, in terms of the balance and the safety, comparing a regular bike to an e-trike generally comes to be about the same. I would say one advantage of e-trikes is that they are going to be heavier. Now, on a two-wheel bike, this can present some problems because you have to balance. On a tricycle, where you don't have to balance, the added weight is going to help with stability. Especially if you have more weight in the rear, it's going to keep the bike down on the ground even better than a standard trike would. In particular, if you've seen our Rickshaw product, we have a Rickshaw that passengers can ride on the back of.

When you put a passenger on the back, it increases that stability even more. Because you're adding that weight to keep the two wheels down. Now, not to say that there's otherwise a huge advantage of e-trikes in the balance sector, but the weight is one thing. I would say the other thing you're finding now with e-trikes versus regular trikes is you're seeing a fair bit of innovation. So, different types of frames, configurations, and ways to get on and off. Regular tricycles have the same thing, but I'm seeing even more innovation now happening in e-trikes. There's a good chance that you could find the perfect e-trike for your body, your riding habits, and you, you name it. If you're on the fence, really think about the type of riding you're going to do. If you think you may want to push your distance a little bit or if there are some hills you want to take on, an e-trike is a great way.