I tried to conquer my fear of riding a bicycle last year but I think I've given up that hope... for now. I've been looking into getting a tricycle. There is a bike shop about 20 miles from here that has lots of different type of bikes available including tricycles.

My main issue with the bicycle is I feel high up and I feel like I'm going to fall and hurt myself. I have some stability issues normally but I just can't get over my bicycle falling fear and it makes riding a bicycle not enjoyable.

My concerns with a tricycle are:
1) Cost - some seem very expensive but others seem reasonably priced
2) Transport - I'm not sure how our car would transport a tricycle. When we've transported bicycles, we've taken the front wheel off and put them in the back of the car (small suv).
3) Path usability - A tricycle is wider than a bicycle but with a bicycle, I never got close to the edge for fear of going off the edge. I think with a tricycle, I may be able to get closer to the edge.
4) Terrain - I'd like to have a tricycle that is equal to a comfort/hybrid usability on terrain. I'd mostly go on smooth paths but occasionally would like to traverse some gravel paths. Not sure if this is possible.

Hi Nelie,
Don't know about trikes, but do know about the fear. I still remember wanting to cry and puke when I finally tried it last year. I'd like to say the fear is 100% gone, but it's not. It's time to break out the bikes and try again. Good luck with the trike---lemme know how it goes.

You made me flashback to my childhood. We lived a few years on a very small tropical island - no personal cars. So everyone biked - and most every family had a tricycle for shopping / carrying things.

Some trikes actually fold.

But... what about a boy's 20" free style bike? the handlebars are higher so you wont kill your back but the seat is lower.... then you wont feel so high up.

i think mountain bikes and 10 speeds have 24" + tires.

My Gram has a folding trike with an extremely comfortable wide seat. I used to always ride it around because it was just funner then my old regular bike. I never had to worry about falling over or anything because you can't really tip 'em unless you're trying. I wouldn't recomend it for the same applications as a mountain bike or anything but with big back tires (That do not make you high off the ground) you can run over a few bumps. My Gram could fit is in her get-a-way van (almost zero floor space) because it could fold. Sound perfect for you.

Have fun!

What kind of price range are you looking at? It seems the minimum is about 250.00

I'm willing to spend about $1k. I found one I think I may like which is $700 but I'm concerned because it seems to be underpriced, compared to similar models. The ones that are designed for store outings seem to be in the lower range (under $500). The ones designed for speed seem to start around $2500.

Hi Nelie,

I have one and I love it. We have these great hike and bike paths where I live and I wanted so badly to ride the bicycle on them. I borrowed my daughter's bicycle and was still in the driveway when I fell off So I started looking into one of those 3 wheeled ones. I got mine on the Walmart web site ~ it was shipped to the store. They even assembled it for me at no charge. My son-in-law brought it home for me in his pick up. It can fold, but I've never tried that. I think you could ride it on a gravel path.

I've never regreted that purchase and continue to enjoy it.

Good luck in your search

glynne - That is awesome. I went to look and it appears they have 2 folding ones. Trifecta (single speed) and Port-o-Trike (3 speed). Is yours one of those? Can you ride hills?

Hello again,

Mine is the Trifecta ~ I think the trike would do hills ~ it is my body that has trouble doing the hills ~ my knees. I go up a small hill on my way home from my daughter's house ~ I do it ok, but it makes my knees work harder.

glynne - Thanks for the info.

It is a bit out of my price range, but I'm a bit in love with the Di Blasi folding tricycle:
http://www.diblasi.us/Folding_Tricyc...=Gruppo&Lng=en