Tricycle
A tricycle, sometimes abbreviated to trike, is a human-powered (or gasoline or electric motor powered or assisted, or gravity powered) three-wheeled vehicle.
| Tricycle | |
|---|---|
Modern upright tricycle | |
| Classification | Vehicle |
| Application | Transportation |
| Fuel source | Human-power |
| Wheels | 3 |
| Components | Frame, Wheels, Tires, Saddle, Handlebar, Pedals, Drivetrain |
| Inventor | Stephan Farffler |
| Invented | 1655 or 1680 |
| Configurations | Delta, Tadpole |
| Types | Upright, Recumbent, Hand-crank, Tandem, Rickshaw, Freight, Children's, Drift, Hand and Foot, Tilting |
Some tricycles, such as cycle rickshaws (for passenger transport) and freight trikes, are used for commercial purposes, especially in the developing world, particularly Africa and Asia.
In the West, adult-sized tricycles are used primarily for recreation, shopping, and exercise. Tricycles are favoured by children, the disabled, and senior adults for their apparent stability versus a bicycle; however a conventional trike has poor dynamic lateral stability, and the rider must take care when cornering to avoid tipping the trike over. Unconventional designs such as recumbents have a lower centre of gravity so require less care.