How to Ride the EVRYjourney eBike Rickshaw With a Passenger Seat

I'm Dustin, and I've spent nearly 20 years in the bike and e-bike industry. One of the most exciting things we've done lately is expand what's possible with the sixthreezero EVRYjourney eBike Rickshaw — specifically with the addition of a rear passenger seat that attaches via a hitch. Whether you want to bring your kids along for a ride, take a partner out for a spin, or haul extra cargo with a basket attachment, the rickshaw opens up a whole new world of riding. But with a longer wheelbase and extra weight in the back, it does require a different approach than riding a standard two-wheel e-bike.

In this post, I'm going to walk you through everything I covered in the video above: how the controls work, how to take turns safely, how to handle curbs and slopes, and how to get up hills with passengers on board. If you're new to trikes or e-trikes, this guide is especially for you — a lot of what feels counterintuitive at first becomes second nature quickly once you understand what's actually happening beneath you.

First, let's talk about what you're working with. The rickshaw comes standard with a front rider seat, but you can now add a rear passenger seat using the hitch attachment — or swap in a cargo basket if you'd rather carry gear than people. We offer two motor options: a mid-drive motor and a front hub motor. Both come equipped with a thumb throttle and five levels of pedal assist, giving you plenty of flexibility depending on terrain and how much you want to exert yourself.

The mirrors on the handlebars are genuinely useful for a quick check of what's behind you, though I'll be honest — bike mirrors aren't as crisp as car mirrors. My personal habit is to still glance over my shoulder when turning, especially with passengers in back. If you want an extra layer of awareness, you can also mount handlebar end-cap mirrors or even a rear-facing camera connected to your display. When you're responsible for people behind you, the more visibility the better.

If you've never ridden a tricycle before, the first thing you'll notice is that the handlebars want to pull in one direction or another when you let go. That's completely normal — it's simply how trikes behave, and it's not specific to the rickshaw. The rickshaw does have a rear differential that distributes power to both rear wheels evenly, which helps it track straighter, but you'll still feel that characteristic trike pull. The key thing to understand is this: on a two-wheel bike, you steer by leaning. On a trike, leaning does not steer you. You have to actively steer with the handlebars.

That said, leaning your body weight into a turn or into a slope is still valuable — it helps keep all the wheels balanced on the ground. Think of it less as steering and more as stabilizing. Once that clicks, riding the rickshaw starts to feel very natural. Most people find their comfort zone after just a short practice session in a parking lot or open area.

For everyday riding and tight-space maneuvering, the thumb throttle is your best friend. It works just like a gas pedal — press it gently and you ease forward; press it harder and you accelerate. The beauty of the throttle is that it gives you precise, gradual control over your speed, which is exactly what you need when parking, navigating a crowded path, or making a slow, careful turn. Pedal assist, by contrast, delivers power as soon as you start pedaling, which makes it harder to inch forward at a controlled pace.

For open road riding, pedal assist is fantastic. On flat ground without passengers, pedal assist level 1 or 2 is plenty. With passengers on board, you can comfortably run at level 4. The assist levels are adjusted with the plus and minus buttons on your control panel, and you can reach them with your thumb while keeping your hand on the grip — no need to take your eyes off the road. In any gear, pull either brake lever and the motor cuts out instantly, giving you full stopping power whenever you need it.

Taking turns on the rickshaw is one of the biggest adjustments for riders coming from two-wheel bikes. The instinct is to follow your front wheel around a corner — but the rickshaw has a long rear end, and if you cut a turn too tightly, those rear wheels will clip the curb. The result can be a tip-over, especially if you have the extra weight of a passenger seat back there.

The fix is straightforward once you know it: swing wide. Before you commit to a turn, make sure your rear wheels have enough clearance to follow the arc cleanly. When I'm riding with my kids in the back, I actually look back over my shoulder as I round a corner just to confirm the rear wheels are tracking safely. It sounds like a lot to manage at first, but it becomes instinctive. And the good news is that the rickshaw actually has a surprisingly tight turning radius for a vehicle this long — you just have to execute the turn properly.

Curbs deserve their own section because they're one of the most common places new rickshaw riders run into trouble. The golden rule: always enter and exit curbs at the flattest, most perpendicular point available. If your front wheel rolls down the ramp but your rear wheels hit the raised lip at an angle, you can tip. The same risk applies in reverse when mounting a curb from the street side.

Whatever you do, never drive off an elevated curb at an angle. I can't stress this enough — doing so puts the weight of the entire rear end moving in an uneven direction, and a tip-over becomes almost inevitable. If you find yourself on a raised curb with no clean ramp exit, the safest move is to get off the rickshaw and walk it down. It feels overly cautious the first time, but it's the right call. If you absolutely must go straight off a curb, do it perpendicular and at slow speed — but even then, your rear passengers are going to feel a significant jolt, and I still don't recommend it as a regular practice.

The rickshaw handles gentle slopes just fine, but there are a couple of things worth knowing. On a lateral slope — where the ground tilts sideways — lean your body into the high side to help keep all the wheels on the ground. The wider your trike, the more leverage you have, so use it. On sidewalk curb cuts and driveways, aim for the flattest part of the transition rather than the steepest angle.

Going uphill with passengers is the one scenario where the throttle alone may not be enough. The throttle is great for flat ground and mild grades, but for a real climb, switch to pedal assist level 5 and drop into a lower gear. Gear 1 will make pedaling the easiest on your legs — you'll go slower, but you'll get up the hill without burning out. I personally ride in gear 5 most of the time as a happy medium between pace and effort. Coming downhill, resist the urge to let the rickshaw run free. Ease both brake levers gradually to keep a controlled, steady pace. The hydraulic disc brakes on this bike are excellent — but you still don't want to be barreling downhill at speed with passengers on board and then have to stop suddenly.

One last thing worth mentioning: the rickshaw is a wide vehicle, and taking it on a narrow sidewalk means you're occupying the entire path. If you encounter an obstacle, another pedestrian, or a tight corner, your options become limited quickly. Whenever possible, stick to bike lanes and open paths. Not only is it safer, but you'll find the rickshaw fits comfortably in a standard bike lane with room to spare.

As you put more miles on the rickshaw, everything covered here — the throttle feel, the wide turns, the curb approach, the body lean on slopes — becomes second nature. Give yourself a dedicated practice session in a parking lot before heading out on a real route with passengers. You'll be surprised how quickly it all clicks.

Have questions about the EVRYjourney eBike Rickshaw or want to know if it's the right fit for how you ride? Drop a comment below — I read every one. You can also reach the sixthreezero team directly at sixthreezero.mom or by calling us at 310-982-2877. If you're near San Clemente, California, come out to our location and take it for a test ride in person before you commit. And remember, every rickshaw comes with our 30-day test ride guarantee — if you don't love it, send it back with no questions asked and no money out of your pocket.

Want to see the rickshaw in action with real passengers? Head over to our YouTube channel where I've done full ride-along videos — including a 10-mile trip with two adults in the back. And if you're still figuring out which sixthreezero bike or trike is right for your body and your riding style, try our Body Fit Calculator on the website for a personalized recommendation.