Learning To Ride A Recumbent Tricycle

By Martha Murray


Summer days excite many people with the opportunities to get out and have some fun in the sun. A great way to stay fit is to ride a bike. There a number of people that enjoy moving around but have trouble riding because it is not easy to lean over the handlebars due to back pain or other issues. Using a recumbent tricycle is a great way to enjoy the summer fun without the pain that a traditional bike may cause.

Some may question why using a trike with three wheels. In the past, the tricycle actually came before bicycle. People had trouble balancing the bike and often reverted back to the more stable trike. It's an easy way to ride and be able to view the scenery without worrying about toppling over.

Another question that is often asked is why should they use a recumbent vehicle instead of a regular 10-speed bike or dirtbike. The advantage to having a recumbent trike is you are able to lean back and ride in a relaxed pose rather than leaning forward over the handlebars. Another advantage is by leaning back on the vehicle you're also able to see the scenery around you and ride for many more miles.

The first thing to learn is how to enter and exit the trike. It can be intimidating but it doesn't have to be. Start with locking the brakes. This step is important so the trike doesn't roll away while you try to sit down. Then you straddle the bar and lean back into the seat. Exiting is just the opposite. Lock the brakes, lean forward, stand up and step out of the trike.

Pedaling can take some time to learn. It is recommended that you use the type of pedals that have a clip or strap so your feet don't slip out. If they do, they could slide under the bike and cause an injury. You won't have to worry about tipping over when you stop since you're on three wheels instead of two. This way, you can keep your feet strapped in until you come to a complete stop, lock the brakes and step out.

There are two different types of steering configurations. The linkage steering is like power steering for a bike. This type uses a sway bar under the trike and can easily be controlled with one hand. The direct steer seems more like a sports car with two handles.

Changing gears is as simple as it would be on the two-wheel bike. The advantage here is that you don't need to know what gear you are in. You just simply change the gears as you feel the need to when you're climbing a hill or going downhill. The most popular type of gear is similar to a 10-speed bike where you have two gear settings that can be adjusted to maximize the torque.

There's no reason to avoid getting out in the sun and having fun in the summertime. Being able to ride a bike is not something that everyone can do so using something like recumbent trikes helps those who may have difficulty bending over the handlebars of a regular 10-speed bike. With these options, anyone can ride by choosing the type of trike or bike that will best fit their needs.




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