Trikke: Toy, not transport
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1 year, 12 months ago

I've now seen a couple of these on the streets and parked at bike racks. I've concluded that although they are pretty neat, they are toys, NOT transportation.

I haven't ridden one, so maybe it's just incompetent riders, but from what I've seen these things are neither practical nor safe to pilot on the streets as a means of transportation.

In order to move forward, the articulating motion of the rear wheels carves a path that is wider than a typical city bike lane, moreover, even when NOT under power, the wheel base is wider than the handlebars of a bicycle. (For comparison Trikke wheel bases range from 495-615mm and my Specialized Sequoia's handlebars range from 400-440mm)

Trikke T12 Wheels

This width problem would be less of a problem if the device could travel at an appreciable fraction of traffic speed but, at least from what I've seen, they can't. This makes them a hazard—a big, swerving, hard to predict, hazard. Even inline skaters, which many cyclists complain about and I am one of, are at least capable of being only a person's width to facilitate passing, moving faster (a quick google shows Trikke speed at a max of 15-16mph, where my top speed on skates is over 20mph) and steering more nimbly. Please keep these 'Trikke' toys off of the public roadways!

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trikke 1 year, 12 months ago

You should not knock these if you have not tried them. They are fun and great for exercise. Keep on your skates and you can fall off them,risk element in both.

Reply -- Anonymous

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Re: trikke 1 year, 12 months ago

Oh, I highly look forward to trying one, and I _bet_ they are great fun and great exercise. That doesn't mean that they belong in bike lanes any more than joggers or motorcycles. City bike lanes are designed for vehicles that are approximately a person's width and which can travel at a significant fraction (1/2-2/3?) of the traffic speed and streets without painted bike lanes have even tighter safety margins.

Due to the generally slower traffic speed, the Trikke might find a home on the Lakefront path here in Chicago, or other jogging paths in parks, but not on roadways shared with motorvehicles.

Reply -- lostlogic

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Re: trikke 1 year, 12 months ago

They are so fun! Jame got one when she was living with us. We are both horribly incompetant at it, but they can go pretty damn fast if you get good at it. And I think you are more of an exception when it comes to speed on blades compared to most people, so really they go faster than the average skater I bet. I'm not arguing their place in a bike lane...I certainly wouldn't want to be riding in the street on one, but you know how coordinated I am ;)

Reply -- perfectchaos82

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Re: trikke 1 year, 12 months ago

To be clear, the place of skaters in the bike lanes is also questionable. I think that I'm OK in the bike lanes, because I keep up with and / or pass most cyclists, however there are plenty of skaters who should probably stay to paths and sidewalks as well.

I believe that law on this in Chicago is that skates do not belong on the street.

Do you know anyone who has a Trikke and wants to let me try it?

Reply -- lostlogic

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Re: trikke 1 year, 12 months ago

I am the proud owner of 2 Trikkes and 1 bike. The bike stays in the garage while my Trikkes are always in my car ready to ride at a moments notice. While there is a learning curve to riding a Trikke that varies with each individual, each ride is unique and never gets boring! It gives you a full body, low impact workout and does not make you butt hurt!

A Trikke has a average speed of 12 to 16 miles a hour. If you are in a hurry to get there ride a bike. If you want to get a great workout and enjoy the trip ride a Trikke!

A experienced Trikke rider can operate within a area slightly wider than its footprint. But,it is a lot of fun to lean into the carve! Also,unlike rollerblades, you can stop on a dime! The T12 even has disk brakes!

I think common sense & courtesy should dictate where a person should ride, no matter what the vehicle. I have a rear view mirror on my helmet and maintain my space when traffic approaches. I ride on the bike trails and have never felt like I was a hindrance or had a complaint. Our trails are not very crowded.

I belong to the Yahoo Group Kickbiking. There are several members who have reached the century mark. There are members who use the Trikke as their sole form of transportation You can carry a backpack near the bottom of the stem for cargo. Jimmy Evans rode one across the USA.

Rock your world!......Ride a Trikke!

M






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Re: trikke 1 year, 12 months ago

They do not take up anymore room than the bike, you can carve as small as you like. Smaller carves when approaching people and larger when alone.
If you where in the UK I would let you ride one of ours but you need to go on trikke.com to get yours!! www.trikke.com (uk is www.trikkeuk.com)

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Re: trikke 1 year, 12 months ago

That's not true. As I stated in my original post, the NARROWEST Trikke has a wheel base of 495mm, my bicycle's handlebars are 420mm. How _exactly_ do you fit something that is over 7cm wider into the same space?

Reply -- lostlogic

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