Oh boy! A unstable trike that's given even more torque to flip themselves over and kill their riders!
this post was submitted on 01 Jun 2024
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micromobility - Ebikes, scooters, longboards: Whatever floats your goat, this is micromobility
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I don't like how three wheeled vehicles behave in turns. Even the ones with complex and costly tilting chassis still handle much worse than any two wheeled bike imo.
I can't remember where I heard this, so it may be utter BS, but aren't these 3-wheelers even less safe than motorcycles? The 2-in-front are more stable IIRC, but the 2-in-back have a tendency to tilt over at speed if there's a sudden turn - where a bike would just turn - don't they?
This. Yes. Both are still dangerous- rear more so but ultimately at speed both will want to roll and flip. The results are not pleasant.
I don’t understand the 3 wheel hate. 2 wheel vehicles have a learning curve with counter-steering and require more engagement with driving. 4 wheels makes them huge. I don’t think this looks too dorky either.
Personally I wouldn't consider riding one with two wheels in the back, they're more stable when it's two in the front. Unlike 2 wheeled vehicles where you're balancing all the time, 3 wheels gives you a false sense of stability. They're stable right up until they aren't, so there's not a lot of opportunities to practice stabilizing before you roll it.
That was my only thought after seeing the picture.
"The dual wheels need to go in front, make one with that and I'll consider buying it as a feasible option"
It's a safety issue. 4 wheels are stable, 2 wheels while having a learning curve are stable and require additional training and (in most places) additional licensing. Both of these things are acceptably 'safe.' The biggest draw of these 3 wheel vehicles is that they require no additional licensing. The assumption is they are just like 4 wheel vehicles... except they aren't. Three wheeled vehicles aren't stable in motion - especially when maneuvering. This is a physics problem - and most drivers untrained will walk themselves right into the problem and run the risk of injuring not only themselves and others. I have a lot of EMTs in my family and I have lost count of how many times I've heard stories of how these things will kill and maim their passengers. Doubly so for the ones that have two seats. If they required additional licenses, sure go to town- you know the risks but as it is right now... it's a danger that is downplayed and sold to people who are just completely unaware.
Do I think they are ugly? Yes- that's my opinion... but that aside they are a danger to the driver and others. Any "countermeasures" that are introduced to help solve a physics problem that don't involve an extra wheel aren't actually solving it.
The biggest draw of these 3 wheel vehicles is that they require no additional licensing.
This is not the case in quite a few US states and probably other places in the world as well, which classify three wheeled vehicles as "motorcycles" regardless of the presence of a seat, steering wheel, or even a roof. Thus a motorcycle endorsement is required in addition to a regular driver's license, and in some states (mine is one) a further three wheeler supplement is required on top of that.
The situation is pretty bonkers as applies to, e.g., the Polaris Slingshot which is clearly... you know, a car.
That is definitely the direction they all should be going in. The tragedy is that most salesmen and indeed most of these companies push the narrative of "safer/easier to ride than a motorcycle" but are only looking for that easy sale. Educated drivers help a lot. That said: it's still a dangerous design... but at least an educated driver should understand the risks involved.
I don’t know about your claim that they are inherently unsafe. With fixed wheels, three-wheelers are prone to tipping. I agree with that. With this model they are claiming that it “leans.” It makes sense to me with a clever enough suspension they could solve that issue.
It's not a new design. Leaning is attempting to leverage a concept from 2 wheeled physics to bandaid their poor design (all three wheelers):
Leaning shifts a center of gravity and leverages that force. Except 3 wheels receive different levels of force and cannot distribute it evenly... because it is a triangle. Also leaning doesn't do much for the passenger which is still elevated and raises the center of gravity. These don't just flip- they tumble.
It’s still not going to be as safe as cars with protective cages, crumple zones, and seat belts. I don’t like them suggesting they “could change that” with minor seating or wheel layout changes.
It's almost as if physics are physics and 3 wheels simply aren't stable at speed eh? Good to see someone else speaking up about it.
I have this crazy concept for a safety system... it's a fourth wheel. 3 wheeled vehicles are dangerous and what's worse is they are billed as safer than motorcycles which is simply not true. It doesn't matter if 2 are in front or in back.
[personal bias follows] They are fucking ugly as hell: it's like someone is trying to dress up that three wheeler you had as a kid before you could ride a bike and sell it back to you.
Edit: It would appear I and others have upset the marketing team. I'm not sorry. These things kill people.
Only 3 wheel setup I'd even consider is a reverse trike/tadpole design (on a recumbent bike, not a motorcycle), but all my rides so far have either 2 or 4 wheels.
And from how you describe it you probably have a decent understanding of the dangers involved with the trike... My issue is with many of these companies playing a numbers game of "2% safer therefore it's safe" numbers game. While yes, a reverse trike is able to accept a bit more sideways force, ultimately the single wheel remains the tip point with the peak force in the middle.... or you know... where you sit... so regardless of the configuration a tip means a bad time.
Everyone is welcome to ride / drive what they like but the marketing should be transparent - and education should be required.
I've seen that Reliant Robin episode of Top Gear lol, I know better.