7 AMAZING Folding Electric Tricycles for Adults over 60: Regain Your Confidence and Independence

For adults over 60, it can become more difficult to feel independent as we age. Our bodies are not as mobile as they once were, and riding bicycles allows for seniors to become more mobile. Bicycles, especially electric bicycles, can provide an excellent form of mobility and help to improve a person's quality of life.

Being mobile at all ages, but especially for seniors, can help maintain and increase joint and muscle health. It can also provide mental health benefits, as seniors are able to enjoy outdoor and social activities that can be mentally stimulating. They are also able to socialize more with families, partners, friends, and other loved ones in a shared activity that everyone enjoys.

When it comes to bicycles, the only drawback is that an adult over 60 may not feel stable when up on only 2 wheels. A folding electric trike for adults offers numerous benefits to seniors.

Benefits of Folding Electric Tricycles

Tricycles have 3 wheels, offering instant stability when mounting, riding, and dismounting. If a person has to stop at an intersection, they do not have to worry about balancing the bike up on one foot, which is ideal for seniors who may suffer from weak muscles and joints when applying their full weight on one foot.

Electric bikes feature a battery-powered motor that allows bikes to travel at specific speeds for a certain distance. Depending on the size and capacity of the battery, you can travel from 20 miles up to 60 miles with pedal assistance. So a senior can pedal for a certain length of time and then use the battery when they get tired.

Another important feature is the foldable design. Think of a foldable bike much like a foldable wheelchair. At the center of the bike before the chain is a hinge with a lever. Activating the lever allows the front portion of the bike to fold back. This compact design allows the electric bike to be easily transported and stored without taking up much space in a garage or entryway of the home. In addition, you cannot ride the bike without unfolding it, as this can prevent younger children who are visiting seniors from accidentally hurting themselves on the bike.

7 Folding Electric Trike Bikes for Adults Over 60

The Rad Power Bikes RadTrike comes at the higher end of the price tag when it comes to a folding etrike. The bike features a 750w motor, which is pretty standard for electric tricycles of this nature, and a smaller 480Wh battery. It has a single drivetrain which is a bonus for seniors who are looking for a bike that doesn't have a lot of maintenance, although it makes you more reliant on using the throttle and motor. You can get about 55 miles on the lithium-ion battery as you can run errands, go on a leisurely park ride, or go see the sunsets along the beach.

The bike weighs about 82 pounds without accessories. It is on the hefty side, yet it does accommodate people who weigh 415 pounds. You can easily mount and dismount with the 13.4 inch standover height. It has a reverse mode and parking brake, which can be a benefit to seniors who are looking for more maneuverability control and stability when dismounting on uneven surfaces.

The frame is narrower when compared to other tricycles, yet it still covers the right amount of stability when you are looking for a thinner framed bike. You can have a comfortable ride with BMX folding handlebars. It also comes with a padded seat and backrest for better posture. You can make the Rad Power Bike come apart into two pieces to fit into a van.

There is a wide range of accessories that come with the RadTrike, allowing for full customization. The key difference with the bike is that the rear basket sits lower to the ground and slightly under the seat. So you don't have to lift items higher to place them in the basket, but it can be a bit difficult to see the items when underneath you.

The Lectric XP Trike is the go-to bike for seniors who are just looking for a simple bike at a very affordable price range. As one of the cheapest bikes featured, the electric folding tricycle features a smaller 500w motor along with a 672Wh. It is a stark contrast to the RadTrike with a large motor but smaller battery. So you are getting a lot of power for the Lectric XP trike, even more than what should be necessary. If you are a senior that needs this power due to having lots of steep hills and inclines in your neighborhood, this electric folding tricycle will handle the ride.

You can get a top speed of about 18mph as the bike can travel up to 60 miles. That is impressive for a bike weighing 69.5 pounds with the battery. It can accommodate adults of up to 415 pounds on the aluminum frame. The tires are small at 20 inches, which can cause a little bit of a bumpy ride on uneven terrain. Yet it also had a dual differential wheel axis for more stability.

To keep the price down, the Lectric XP Trike doesn't come with a lot of accessories. You can get a front and rear basket along with a front rack. Yet it makes up for this with a larger headlight and 3 rear lights for greater levels of stability. This aspect may be ideal for seniors who like taking evening rides when there are less people outside and it is quieter. You can take your dog for a walk while also getting in some riding at your favorite park.

The Razor DXT Drift Tricycle is unlike other electric bicycles out on the market. This tricycle is designed for fun, with the seat sitting very low to the ground almost like a kid’s tricycle. The main application for the bike is for people who want to drift while riding, as you can take curves with ease. It features a 500 watt motor as you can get full throttle speeds of about 15 mph.

With the low seat, the handlebars are moto-style. So they sit up higher than your body at about face level. This electric folding tricycle is more suitable for play than it is for running errands, as it doesn't come with other accessories or the ability to place on rear/front baskets to carry your things.

If you are a senior that loves the great outdoors, country trails, and the occasional drifting while riding, the Razor DXT Drift Trike gives you all these features along with stability. Just keep in mind the low seat and higher handlebars has the body at a more crouched position while riding lower to the ground.

The Malisa Electric Trike is designed for seniors who have problems with mobility, as the company focuses on mobility products. This folding electric trike bike features a 750w Bafang motor and 624Wh battery. It accommodates older adults who have larger frames, as it allows for a capacity of 440 pounds. You get a lot of power from this bike, as you can travel at speeds of up to 26 mph.

You have the choice of using just the throttle or going on pedal assist. With the powerful battery, you can travel about 38 miles on the throttle or go for a longer ride at close to 50 miles on the pedal assist. The electric folding trike can handle bumpy and rough surfaces. So you can take it off the city path and along trails in nature parks or along beaches. The 4-inch tires are designed for loose terrain while still giving a stable ride.

The battery power for this electric trike is impressive and may be too much for seniors who are just looking for a leisure bike to take on short trips. Yet if you are looking for that extra speed and maneuverability over rough surfaces, the Malisa Electric Trike can do the job well. It also comes with the basic features attached such as two baskets and a comfortable seat with backrest.

The Viribus 250W electric bike has the smallest motor featured in this list at 250W. It is also the most affordable out of all the etrikes. You can get speeds of about 15.5mph and distances ranging around 21.7 miles per charge. Whether you pedal it like a traditional tricycle or go with the power assist to motor along the street, the electric tricycle provides a smooth ride wherever you plan to go.

The etrike comes with two wheel options: 24 inch and 26 inch. The 24-inch tires are suitable for riders who are under 6 feet tall while the 26 -inch wheels can accommodate people with heights of 5'7" to 6'9". If you are a tall senior looking for a tricycle that allows for the proper leg extension and ergonomic frame, the carbon steel Viribus 250W folding electric tricycle can accommodate your tall stature. You also have an adjustable seat and basket to accommodate most riders.

Due to the carbon steel frame, the weight is increased on this bike to 85.88 pounds. So you'll need to have the strength to lift the bike into vehicles when traveling or up some steps into the house, or have someone available to help you out. Otherwise, the Viribus 250W folding electric tricycle is perfect for people who are on a tight budget yet want to get out and exercise.

We've featured a lot of electric tricycles that have a lot of weight to them. For seniors who are not as strong and can't lift things for long periods, the TopMate ES32 Folding Electric Tricycle offers a lighter option. It is one of the lightest tricycles featured and can fold easily for adults over 60.

This electric tricycle is only 35 pounds and has a design more like a scooter than a bike. It has a 3-gear system to offer a range of different speeds on the 270Wh battery. Take a slow ride at 3 mph on the first gear or push the motor up to 15.5mph on the 3rd gear. It also comes with 10-inch pneumatic tires for a smooth ride and a reverse mode.

This folding tricycle has a simplistic design. It features handlebars and padded seat without any other frills. It is also low maintenance. For seniors who are looking for an electric bike that is like a scooter, the TopMate ES32 folding electric tricycle will fit most of their needs.

Many of the folding electric tricycles that are listed here have the traditional upright frame design where the body sits close to the handlebars. However, not all tricycles are designed in such a manner. Other designs include drifting tricycles and recumbent etrikes. Understanding the difference will allow you to select the folding electric tricycle that best fits how you want to ride.

Traditional electric tricycles are designed similar to traditional bikes. They have the seat upright and high off the ground. This design will place the body in either an upright position, or a slightly bent position to grasp the handlebars. Your legs are also in line with your body as you leverage your body weight to pedal.

Recumbent electric tricycles have the seats lower to the ground. Your body is placed into a reclined state with your legs stretched out in front of you. Some recumbent bikes have one front wheel and two back wheels while others are equipped with two front wheels that are positioned near the knees and one back wheel behind the reclined seat. There are no traditional handlebars at the front. Instead, the handlebars are at the sides.

Drifting electric bikes can be upright or recumbent. While they have a similar wheel arrangement as a traditional etrike, the handlebars are more reclined back. Drifting tricycles have seats closer to the ground. As the name implies, a drifting tricycle is used more for sport and racing than either a recumbent or traditional tricycle. The back wheels are designed to allow for the bike to drift. It offers greater levels of speed at the cost of stability.

There is no one bike that is better than the other. Each has different features that can suit the tastes of the adult over 60. The one thing to keep in mind is that drifting electric tricycles are more suited for people who are in better physical condition to handle the faster speeds and are interested in a racing bike. Recumbent tricycles can suit people who want to relax in a more reclined state while riding and who have no problem being closer to the ground. Seniors who have problems getting up from a reclined position may have problems getting up and from a recumbent tricycle. The traditional etrike allows for a step-through and can accommodate people who may have some limited mobility issues.

What to Look for in Electric Etrikes

With such a wide selection of electric foldable etrikes, it can be a hard decision on which one to select. Since etrikes come in a variety of designs, from regular etrikes to drifting etrikes to scooters, you'll need to think about your mobility needs, how you want to use the trike, where you want to go, and how far that you want to travel. Here are several factors to take into consideration.

Battery/Motor

The battery and motor tie in together. You'll need enough electrical power generated from the battery to power the motor to determine how fast the trike can go and how long the ride will last.

You'll notice that motor power has different ranges in the listed foldable etrikes, such as 250W up to 750W. While it may seem that the higher the motor power, the faster you will go, but also keep in mind that you'll need a stronger motor for heavier etrikes. You want a motor that is strong enough to not only push the weight of the trike but also handle the senior's weight and any item that they may carry along with them (if they use the tricycle to run errands).

Also, keep in mind that tricycles, by design, will have more parts to them than regular hikes due to the extra wheel design. You'll want to select a motor that can provide enough power to move the person and the tricycle while also handling the types of terrain that you'll encounter. If you live in a very flat area and won't be climbing many hills or going over a lot of loose terrain, you could pick a less powerful motor for your foldable electric tricycle.

When talking about the battery, it should offer enough charge for you to make your trip without worrying about it dying halfway there. Battery charge can range from 15mph up to 60mph. Yet be careful when reading over this description when evaluating etrikes. These numbers are basic miles per hour and do not take into account the condition of the terrain or the size of the person. Heavier riders will add more weight to the folding electric tricycles, causing the battery to work harder to provide electricity to the motor to move the frame. This factor will result in a lesser range of movement and a need to recharge the battery sooner.

Take into careful consideration how much you plan to use the bicycle on a daily basis. If you are only going for a ride once or twice a week, you won't need an electric tricycle that will go 40-60 miles. Yet if you are going for long daily bike rides for several hours, then you want a quality battery that can give lasting power.

Mobility and Accessibility

Since the electric tricycle will be for a senior, take into careful consideration regarding their health needs. Having problems that impact how you move or how long you can sit in the same position can cause you to have an unpleasant experience with the folding tricycle. Most folding tricycle manufacturers take this into consideration and try to make the seat as ergonomically comfortable as possible. They will also design the frame so that it is a step-through design that is only a little over a foot in height. This aspect allows the senior to mount and dismount the tricycle with little effort.

Manufacturers may also offer other mobility and accessibility devices as accessories. These accessories may include an adjustable seat, adjustable handlebars, and a backrest. Not every tricycle can accommodate these accessories based on the frame design, and these accessories will increase the overall costs of the electric tricycle. So you'll have to go through the extras and decide on the ones that will work for the senior's personal health needs and are right for the budget.

Wheels

You may also notice that wheel sizes can differ for adult tricycles. Some etrikes have a large front wheel and smaller back wheels. Others have three wheels that are the same size. You'll also see wheels that are large and thin or wide and small.

When considering wheel sizes, standard wheels come as 20 inches. Yet some tricycles have sizes such as 24 inches to 26 inches. You'll want to consider the size of the wheel to your height, as larger tires are more accommodating to taller people. You also want to consider the width of the tire. Wider tires offer more stability, especially on rough and uneven ground, as they absorb shocks and vibrations better. Thinner wheels offer greater speed and maneuverability and are lighter for the tricycle's overall weight.

Additional Factors to Consider

For seniors, you want to be able to access your tricycle whenever you are able to promote a better lifestyle. There are additional factors to keep in mind other than the design of the folding electric tricycle.

Storage

Electric foldable etrikes are large as they can average about 16 inches in the front and 20 inches on the rear. Also keep in mind that the length of the tricycle may increase if you add on accessories such as baskets. While a senior who owns or rents a home with a garage can easily place the bike away, other seniors may have downsized their homes to live in apartments. Carrying a tricycle to and from an apartment may not be feasible, especially if you live on an upper floor with steps. The apartment may also be small, which can make storing the bike difficult when you are trying to move around the space.

Consider how you will store the bike, even while folded. While tricycles are manufactured to withstand rainy and snowy weather, the constant moisture and extreme temperatures can begin to degrade the materials and cause corrosion. So you want to have a place that is relatively dry and has even temperatures throughout the year. If you have to leave the foldable tricycle out in the elements, you can invest in a tricycle cover. A tricycle cover is much like a tarp that is made for motorcycles. It can protect the entire tricycle from the harsh weather.

Always remember to remove batteries from the foldable electric bicycle if you plan to store it outside. Bring the battery inside to charge. If the battery is not detachable from the tricycle, try to find some alternate way to store it, such as asking a friend or relative to store it in their garage or even renting a storage unit at a storage facility.

Weight

Folding electric tricycles will typically weigh more than traditional bikes. This aspect is to the extended frame and added wheel. Electric tricycles will also weigh more than regular tricycles due to the added battery. As the capacity of the battery increases, so too will the battery's size and added weight. Most of the tricycles listed above have average weights ranging from 60 pounds to 85 pounds.

There are a few bikes that are lighter, with one mentioned that only weighs 35 pounds. Yet this lightness to the frame comes with some compromises. Lighter tricycles will have fewer offered features. If you are someone who plans on getting additional mobility accessories, the items will add on more weight.

You want to take this factor into consideration when not riding the tricycle. If a senior has any problems lifting items of a certain weight, they may have difficulties moving the tricycle into vehicles if planning on taking the tricycle on weekend getaways or trips to the park. It will also matter if the bike is to be folded and carried up any stairs. Consider how, or who, will move the foldable tricycle when necessary and pick a weight that best accommodates your physical capabilities.

Costs

Foldable electric tricycles will typically cost more than traditional tricycles and bikes. This factor is due to the battery and the design. On average, you can find great tricycles that cost from $1,300 up to $2,000. Some electric tricycles are decked out with features and accessories to make riding them feel like a breeze. These types of etrikes could cost upward to $5,000. On the other hand, you may find some very affordable electric tricycles that could cost about $1,000, yet they come without accessories and other frills.

When making a decision on an etrike, carefully consider your budget. These folding electric tricycles can be a large expense for seniors who are on a fixed income. Also, consider how often you plan to use the tricycle. If you are getting rid of a car in favor of an electric tricycle, it will give you the mobility means to stay active while being able to run errands and go places. So you are saving on car fuel and maintenance upkeep costs.

The same holds true if you live in a walkable city but take a taxi or rideshare to get to places. You may find that you can save on money in the long run by purchasing a good folding electric tricycle that will last for many years.

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Having the ability to exercise, visit the parks and beaches, and remain physically active is important for a senior's health. Foldable electric etrikes can provide you with this mobility while allowing you to enjoy life.