6 Benefits of Folding Tricycles for Adults

One of the first things you should do when deciding on which adult tricycle to buy is to decide between regular non-folding adult tricycles and folding adult tricycles.

Folding adult tricycles are obviously the better option if you are a rider who wants the benefits of a traditional trike with the bonus of easy storage. But that is not all: they are easier to transport, more travel-friendly,  easier to assemble and use, and they are at least as good as a regular tricycle in many areas.

Let’s take a closer look at the top 6 benefits of folding tricycles and why they might be exactly what your lifestyle needs.

1. The Compact Size Is Better For Storage In Small Spaces

The most obvious advantage of folding tricycles is their ability to collapse, saving storage space. Typically, a folding adult tricycle takes up 50–60% less storage space than a regular adult tricycle.

Here’s how a folding tricycle can help you save up on storage space:

• A regular adult tricycle has a frame of around 30-36 inches wide and 70-75 inches long.
• A folding tricycle can reduce to about half the length, and sometimes (depending on the model), much narrower.

Most folding trikes can often fit in a closet, with some even capable of fitting under a workbench or next to the washing machine.

The newly released Viribus 16-inch Folding Electric Tricycle is perfectly designed for storage in small spaces. Its handlebars are adjustable and foldable, and it shrinks from a total length of 4’10 to 33.1 inches when folded. 

With its height also dropping from 42.1 to 20.5 inches, you will have no problem storing this trike in your apartment or even in a smaller area. Not to mention that it has a particularly new and unique design, comes with a 350W motor, and a solid 500 Wh lithium battery that powers it up to 24.5 miles before you need to charge it again. 

 Live in an apartment? Have limited garage space? Travel in an RV? No problem.

2. They are More Travel-Friendly and Portable

Figuring out how to transport your adult tricycle is less of a problem when you have a folding adult tricycle. They are significantly easier to transport than regular tricycles, often 2-3 times more convenient for taking on the go. 

• Their smaller and more compact frames are easier to load/unload
• Most models have built-in handles and wheels for rolling, even when folded. 

Moreover, many models can fit into the trunk of a standard sedan or the backseat of a vehicle, making them perfect for road trips, weekend getaways, or even camping.

In short, a folding tricycle will offer you far greater flexibility when it comes to transportation, especially for commuting, road trips, or mixed travel, than their full-sized counterparts.

3. They are Easier to Assemble and Use

It may sound counterintuitive, but compared to regular adult tricycles, folding adult tricycles are even easier to assemble and use. You don’t have to be mechanically inclined to own a folding trike: the manufacturer does most of the work. 

The logic behind this is simple: because the folding mechanism on a tricycle can be complex to set up, many manufacturers take the following step to make sure installation and use are simple and easy:

1. Folding adult tricycles arrive more fully assembled and closer to use than regular tricycles. 
2. The folding mechanisms on folding tricycles tend to be very user-friendly and tool-free.

Matter of fact, many people find folding adult tricycles less intimidating than full-size tricycles- especially when it comes to assembly and storage. 

Viribus’s folding tricycles come at least 85% fully assembled, with a descriptive manual for the remaining finishing touches. 

Consider this FC1 Folding Electric Tricycle , which is the latest and most advanced folding electric tricycle from Viribus. When folded, it goes from 5’10” to 37.8” and from a height of 46’9” to 37’8”. 

• The handlebar is foldable, and it comes 95% pre-installed for quick use. 
• With this folding tricycle, you get a 750W (peak 1200W) motor with 80N.m torque and a top speed of 20mph at PAS level 5. 

This bike is big enough, strong enough, and more than good enough for any activity you put it to. It comes in different colors: Orange, Cyan, and Black.

4. They also offer a Stable, Comfortable Riding Experience

Another great advantage of a folding tricycle is that the folding mechanism does not come at the expense of other useful features: they are just as stable, comfortable to ride as traditional adult trikes.

Like with a traditional tricycle, you get a low-center-of-gravity ride with three-wheel stability. 

They are also designed to maintain an upright, ergonomic riding position

The ride is easy on the back, wrists, and knees, which is important for elderly riders.

5. They are Just as Practical for Everyday Errands

Many folding tricycles are just as capable and practical as traditional non-folding adult tricycles. You can expect a folding adult tricycle model to come equipped with cargo baskets, rear racks, or even pannier attachments, providing the same amount of carrying capacity and cargo space as regular adult tricycles.

Even earlier folding adult tricycle models like the Viribus Folding Adult Tricycle come with a 330 lbs payload capacity. For grocery shopping, hauling gym bags, and/or running errands around the neighborhood, it is just as good as many regular adult tricycles of the same size. 

With a folding adult tricycle, you get the day-to-day utility of a standard tricycle, but with the flexibility to fold it away when you’re done.

6. They are Easier to Store Indoors to Avoid Theft or Weather Damage

Folding adult tricycles are great for indoor storage, and this is a very important advantage if you live in an area that is renowned for theft of property or destructive bad weather. 

In such places, you don’t want to have to leave your trike outside because there is no space in the garage or basement. With a folding tricycle, you should be able to find the space inside your home to store it: it should fit in the garage, or even (for some models) in a hallway. That means less worry, fewer weather-related repairs, and longer-lasting components.

Final Thoughts

You will quickly find that folding tricycles, especially electric folding tricycles, provide many benefits that regular adult tricycles simply do not, and are at least as good as regular adult tricycles in many other areas. 

Whether you’re an urban commuter, a downsizing retiree, or someone recovering from surgery who still wants to stay active, a folding trike offers freedom without taking over your living space.

If you’ve been on the fence about getting one, this just might be your sign to take the leap.

You might want to look through our guide on the 10 best bike storage ideas for tips on how best to maximize space while storing your folding adult tricycles.