Tricycle

[poliphilo]

I got to ride Keith's new tricycle yesterday afternoon. I thought it would be like riding a bike and it isn't. Firstly you don't have to worry about staying upright because that's already been catered for. Then it handles quite differently. I turned the handlebars and nothing happened, so I turned them some more and found myself entering a bush. 

Comments

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

Trikes are meant to be quite hard to handle. We know a local trike man, and he keeps encouraging me to give it a go - says it's far better to learn earlier, before you need to give up your bike for a trike, than to be forced to learn it later.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Why should one be obliged to give up one for the other? Bikes are easier to handle, anyway- and once you've got the skill you never lose it. My dad was riding his bike (down winding country lanes) into his 80s.

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

Ah, it's a disability thing. If you're lucky (and I know many octagenarian cyclists) you can keep riding your bike until you drop dead by the side of the road. If you aren't lucky, you could still ride a trike, even if you weren't good enough to balance on two wheels (MS is one condition which would probably stop you riding a bike). BUT if you've already got used to a trike before you're forced off your bicycle for good, you'll have no problems making the transition. Those who haven't already mastered the trike have more of an uphill struggle.

Our friend did a lot of work with disability groups, matching up potential trike riders with suitable mounts, and training them.