Dangerous! A menace to the street! These are some of the accusations leveled at the Trikke HPV (Human Powered Vehicle) by its critics. Your main concern seems to come from the quick and wide jerky movements made by the Trikke scooter. Are the critics correct? Are Trikke scooters really dangerous for other pedestrians when combined with city traffic? Let’s find out the facts.

When you see the Trikke in action for the first time, you will be amazed at the graceful and seemingly effortless fluidity the rider displays in moving the Trikke scooter without the aid of a mechanical propeller. But what some see as a graceful, controlled dance, some interpret as a monster swerving and hurtling at full speed waiting to knock them off the sidewalk and into traffic. The same has been said for bicycles and in-line skates and skateboards.

What many may not know is that riding the Trikke requires some effort, practice and concentration. In fact, its riders power the Trikke in zigzags and beginners make wider turns. However, beginners rarely practice on crowded streets. Experts advise Trikke novices to hone their Trikke-ing skills on vacant lots where they will have plenty of room to develop the skills needed to safely control their Trikke scooters.

Only when the lessons sink in and these Trikke fans develop and master a style of their own will they be ready to seek out new challenges. And the other point here is that a Trikke moves a lot like a fish. Just like a fish has to move to swim, the Trikke has to weave to move forward. A fish is very maneuverable and can make wide turns or tighter turns and still swim forward. Pedestrians need not fear Trikkers hogging the entire lane because an experienced Trikke rider can easily narrow their turns to match the space of a bike.

Like anything else in life, the Trikke rider can have an accident. The most common accidents found in any speed related sport are mainly falls and crashes. Falling trikke riders do happen occasionally, but it’s not common, and it definitely happens less frequently compared to the number of accidental falls from other HPV types. Still, it’s still a good idea to wear your helmet and safety gear when on your Trikke. Additionally, Trikke falls often happen to riders who ignore the safety precautions included in the manuals that come with their Trikke scooters. So play smart.

The Trikke is actually designed with safety and maneuverability in mind. Unlike the two-point stance of the bike and rollerblades, your Trikke scooter has a three-wheel “V” shaped stance that is very stable, further accentuated by the presence of a hand lever brake system for Both Trikke rear wheels to control speed. The bulk and rigidity of the bike and boots and wheels strapped to your feet when you roller skate make these HPVs more resistant to movement during sudden emergencies, while your Trikke is flexible enough to maneuver with ease. All of this allows your Trikke scooter to quickly dodge or brake in crowded areas with full control.

Despite all the drawbacks of other HPVs, people tend to accept their presence on roadsides due to familiarity. Don’t let the Trikke’s wacky appearance and speed fool you into thinking they’re unsafe. If we allow bikes, rollerblades and other HPVs to slip silently into crowded lanes, how much more can we trust the Trikke, which is capable of weaving in and out of crowded areas with full control?