Riding outdoor is a very healthy and interesting activity that almost everyone enjoys. However, when people getting old, the lack of balance and strength may make riding a bicycle become tricky. Finding yourself a good 3 wheel bike for seniors can bring you more mobility and an interesting and colorful life.
As you know, a triangle construction is much more stable than a 2 point construction. Therefore, three-wheel bicycles for seniors works to not only provide mobility but ensure safety.
Yes, you can improve balance and strength through doing daily exercises，but you can still ride a tricycle to visit your friends even if you don’t have enough balance to ride a normal bike.
Our picks for 3 wheel bikes for seniors
If you are in a rush, you can check these 3 wheel bikes in the table. They belong to different types and will likely to meet your needs.
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Who are suitable for using 3 wheel bikes?
From teenagers to seniors, everyone can enjoy riding tricycles. Compared with bicycles, 3 wheeled bikes would be a more comfortable choice due to the fact that it cause less strain on joints and have more support on the back.
Hence, for people with weak strength or suffer from arthritis or tremors, 3 wheel bikes would be the perfect replacement for bicycles. It is safer and often easier to ride.
As older adults become weaker with age, 3 wheel bikes have been used as the perfect replacement for bicycles.
Types of 3 wheel bikes for seniors
When it comes to 3 wheel bikes, there are 4 types to cater to the different needs of elderly people.
Recumbent three-wheel bike
Recumbent tricycle is a type of exercise equipment that your entire body will get support. Thus, for people who have very limited muscle strength, suffer from back pain, or with disabilities, it would be a suitable choice.
Recumbent 3 wheel bikes have 2 wheels in front and 1 wheel at the back. Users can sit at a 45-degree angle as you pedal. Instead of pushing the pedals below your body， you can push them in front of you. It brings great relief to your joints.
In addition, seniors can steer the trikes by using the handles in front or on either side. It can accommodate different physical conditions and is lightweight and easy to control.
Want to do cycling indoor? You can consider a recumbent bike or a pedal exerciser.
Semi-recumbent 3 wheel bike
As the name of it suggests, it is a 3 wheel bike that offers backrest and support to some extent. The seat is much larger than the one on bicycles so that you will feel more comfortable. The backrest ensures your back can get enough rest.
The pedal is more forward so that your leg muscles can stretch better and your joint will not be stressful.
The design of semi-recumbent trikes also lowers the gravity of your body which provides more stability and balance which makes it a great choice for seniors who are not able to ride a bicycle independently.
Besides, handles are on each side of the body and you can control it by turning it up and back and it is quite easy for gripping. This type of tricycles is often used by seniors for recreation and exercise.
Upright 3 wheel bike
Upright 3 wheel bike is the most popular type of trikes for seniors. By using this trike, people with injuries or weaknesses can build confidence and obtain their mobility again.
The 2 wheels at the back allow users to enjoy the riding without trying to balance their body.
In addition, elderly people can put their personal belongings or grocery in the basket on the back. Yes, this upright 3 wheel bike is a perfect vehicle for shopping. Plus, the frame is lightweight and easy to steer.
However, for seniors with back pain or have dizziness, the 2 other types mentioned above would be better choices. Because upright trikes can’t offer support for the back and the height people off the ground may be dangerous for the seniors who tend to fall easily.
Electric trike
The electric trike is a special type of 3 wheel bikes for seniors. For the elderly with very limited leg strength, it can be a great vehicle for outdoor activity due to the fact that this trike has an automatic operation mode.
Moreover, users can still ride it manually by turning the hand throttle. It is not only a replacement for bicycles but also for cars.
How to choose tricycles for seniors？
- Know yourself. Always choose the 3 wheel bikes according to the physical condition of users and doctor’s advice. Yes, 3 wheel bikes are more stable than bicycles. But not any type of trikes can meet your need.
- The backrest can relieve back pain. If you are suffering from back pain and lack of strength in your upper body, recumbent or semi-recumbent trikes will be your godsend. The backrest on these trikes can offer your back enough support so that your back muscle will not get strained.
- Seniors with weak hands or arms should stay away from traditional handlebars. Traditional handlebars need good upper body strength and range of motion for griping. If users have arthritis or poor muscle strength, loop handlebars would be a better choice.
Best 3 wheel bikes for seniors reviews
1. Schwinn Meridian Adult 26-Inch 3-Wheel Bike: Best Upright 3 Wheel Bike For Seniors
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Schwinn is an old and famous American bike brand that was established more than 100 years ago. This 3-wheel bike from Schwinn obtains a lot of fans on Amazon.
If you want to find a great upright 3 wheel bike, this one will not let you down. Note that upright 3 trikes are more suitable for active seniors who still have relatively good balance ability.
Schwinn Meridian adult 3-wheel bike features a lightweight and low stand over the aluminum frame which allows seniors can get it on easily. 3 wheels on the back offer more stability and the single-speed design ensure you get a smooth ride.
Want to know the best part?
The foldable basket on the back is very useful because you can put all your picnic or groceries in it. Seniors can ride it for shopping.
Besides, the full wrap fenders will protect your trikes from mesh and splash.
However, the brakes are hand-operated which may be difficult for the elderly with hand weakness.
This trike offers a few colors to choose and it is easy to assemble. The video below will show you how to do it.
2. Schwinn 24″ Wheel Meridian Adult Tricycle
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This is another best 3 wheel bikes for seniors from Schwinn. Different from the one mentioned above, this trike has an extremely low step-through frame which will benefit people with short height or who are afraid of off the ground.
You can also adjust the height of the handbrakes to find yourself the most comfortable posture.
This 24-inch trike is one of the most lightweight trikes on the markets. Even though it is lightweight and easy to carry on, it is made of high-quality alloy and aluminum and suitable for daily use.
The same as the 26 inches one, it comes with a foldable basket as well which will bring great convenience to the lives of the elderly.
In a word, if you trust Schwinn and you are not a tall man, this 24-inch trike would meet your needs.
3. Komodo Cycling 24″, 6-speed Adult Tricycle- Best Variable Speed Tricycle For Seniors
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For older adults who still have good body control ability and strength, they may prefer a more professional trike. This Komodo 6-speed adult tricycle features high quality and high performance.
You can tell from the product name that it is a tricycle with 6 different levels of speed. As you know, Shimano is a quite famous manufacturer of bicycle components. This 3 wheel bike for seniors features SHIMANO RS45 shifter and SHIMANO TY-21 derailleur to ensure you easier and smooth riding experience.
What’s more, the steel crank, steel spoke, and Chinese chain work together to make these 3 wheel bikes sturdy and durable. Plus, the saddle comes with a backrest which can relieve some back pain to some extent. The basket on the back is a good place to store personal items.
Even though this trike is more professional than the other 3 wheel bikes, it also takes the seniors’ needs into consideration. This trike has an ultra-low step-through design so that people can mount on and off effortlessly.
However, you may need to ask someone professional to assemble these great trikes and it has a 240 lbs weight limit.
4. Mobo Triton Pro Adult Tricycle ： Best Semi-Recumbent Three-Wheel Bike For Seniors
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When it comes to the semi-recumbent 3 wheeled bikes for seniors, Mobo Triton Pro is definitely one of the best ones.
Not like the upright tricycles that need to grip the brakes, this one can steer the bike by turning the handle on each side. In addition, the peddle is much forward than the normal bikes so that the stress on your knees and legs will be reduced.
The backrest with a large surface can support your back well. The gravity of the user is very low so that seniors with poor balance ability can use it as well. Note that seniors may need help when they want to get up due to the low height of this trike.
This Mobo Trition pro trike is a great instrument for doing the cardiovascular workout. But it can only be used on a flat or gently sloping surface which may not be an ideal vehicle for some district.
5. Performer JC70 Recumbent Trike: Best Recumbent 3 Wheel Bike For Seniors
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There are not many recumbent trikes available on the market. Performer recumbent trike is a good one to consider. For the elderly with poor balance ability, severe back pain, other disabilities, a recumbent trike is a proper way to do exercise and go out.
Riding this recumbent tricycle is quite relaxed because you can lay on the saddle totally. Almost all your body even your head can get support and your knees and joints stretch well.
This performer trike is relatively expensive, but the unique design offers more possibilities for a lot of people with different physical conditions. In addition, it features a large wheel which brings higher speeds for users.
It should be noted that this recumbent trike should be assembled by the local bike shop.
6. EW-29 Electric Trike Adult Tricycle
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EW-29 Electric Trike is a relatively innovative type of 3 wheel bikes for seniors that combines automatic operation mode with manual mode together.
The leg strength gets weaker with age which makes pushing the peddles become difficult. Thanks to the automatic operation mode of this electric trike, seniors can visit neighbors and go shopping independently even if they have very limited muscle strength. This speed of this tricycle is up to 15mph and can ride up to 20 miles on one charge.
If you want to do some exercise, you can easily turn to the manual mode by using the hand throttle. Besides, you can even use electric mode while pedaling. The manufacturer will send you a fully-assembled trike to you which can save you a lot of time.
However, the seat on this trike is too small for some seniors.
Conclusion
In this post, we explore the best 3 wheel bikes for seniors on the market and show you how to choose the trikes according to seniors’ physical condition. Hope this review can help you find the best one for yourself.
I am 70 years old and only 4 feet 10 inches and never rode a bicycle… can I ride a tricycle easily
Hi, Pierrette. Yes, You can learn how to ride a tricycle even if you don’t know how to ride a bicycle. But always remember to ask someone to assist you at the beginning and check the dimensions of the tricycle before making a purchase. We also suggest you consult your doctor if you have any health issues.
I just received and got my trike assembled by a professional, it’s a Schwinn 26″ Meridian. It came in perfect shape, not a scratch or dent on it.
I live in an adult only apartment complex and got many nice compliments on my trike during my first ride yesterday. I intend riding daily.
I love it. By the way, I’m 84.
I am so glad that you like it.