My First eTrike Ride at 51: What a Total Beginner Learned in Eight Minutes

A 51-Year-Old, a New eTrike, and a Camera Rolling

Brian Staer is 51, and until the day this video was shot, he had never ridden an electric bike of any kind. Not a two-wheeler, not a trike, not a rental scooter on a boardwalk. So when he climbed onto a relaxed-style sixthreezero eTrike, he decided to narrate the whole thing as it happened, nerves and all, so that anyone else standing at the same starting line could ride along with him.

That honesty is what makes his first ride worth writing about. Most product videos are made by people who have ridden hundreds of bikes. They already know where the brakes are, how hard to push the throttle, and how a three-wheeler behaves in a corner. Brian didn't know any of that. He figured it out on camera, one small lesson at a time, and he said each one out loud as it clicked.

If you're considering an electric tricycle but haven't tried one yet, his experience answers a lot of the questions you probably have. How hard is it to get going? Does it feel tippy? Is it scary when the motor kicks in? Do you still have to pedal? What's different about steering? And maybe the biggest one: will you feel silly or out of control the first time?

Below, we walk through Brian's ride from the moment he switched the power on to the moment he parked it, pulling out the practical lessons along the way. We've also added some context of our own, things that new riders tend to ask about that came up naturally as he rode. Think of it as a first ride with a friend who is learning right next to you, plus a few notes from the people who build these trikes.

Turning It On and Getting Rolling

The first thing Brian noticed was how little there was to figure out before moving. He switched the power on with a control on the side of the handlebar and that was it. No app to pair, no long menu, no checklist. The trike was ready.

What surprised him a little was that the motor didn't just take off on its own the moment it was powered up. He had to start pedaling first to get it moving, and then he could feel the system engage. In his words, you can feel it kick into gear. For a nervous first-timer, that's actually a reassuring design. The trike doesn't lurch forward the instant you sit down. You decide when you're ready by turning the pedals, and only then does the help arrive.

Once he was rolling, he found the throttle and gave it a try. The display read four miles an hour. That's a slow walking-to-jogging pace, and it's exactly where a first ride should start. Brian wasn't trying to impress anyone with speed. He wanted to feel how the trike responded before asking it for more.

This is a good habit for anyone new. Start in an empty, flat, open area like a parking lot or a quiet stretch of path. Get the trike moving under your own pedal power, then add a little throttle and let off again. Do it a few times. You'll quickly learn how much response you get from a small twist versus a bigger one, and that knowledge will make everything that follows feel more predictable.

It's also worth spending a minute with the trike before you even switch it on. Find the brake levers, the throttle, the power control and the display. Sit on the seat and check that your feet reach the pedals comfortably with a slight bend in the knee at the bottom of the stroke. If you bought your trike online and put it together at home, the assembly instructions are a good place to double-check that bars, seat and brakes are set up the way they should be before that first spin.

A few seconds into the ride, Brian hit a gentle downhill and noticed he didn't need much throttle at all. Gravity was doing plenty, and the trike rolled along without extra input. A moment later he realized something else: he didn't really need to pedal either. He could control his pace with his hand alone.

That's one of the bigger mental shifts for new eTrike riders, especially people who grew up on regular bicycles. On a traditional bike, if you stop pedaling, you eventually stop moving. On a trike with a throttle, you have another option. You can pedal and let the motor add to your effort, you can pedal lightly and let the motor carry most of the load, or you can rest your legs and use the throttle by itself.

Brian also picked up on how the trike behaves when you let go. When he took his hand off the throttle, it slowed down on its own, gradually and smoothly. He called that intuitive, and it's a fair description. There's no sudden braking effect and no sense that the trike is going to keep charging ahead without you. Ease off, and it settles.

For a beginner, that combination matters a lot. Much of the anxiety people feel about electric bikes comes from imagining a machine that has a mind of its own. Brian's experience was the opposite. The motor responded to what he asked of it, and when he stopped asking, it stopped helping. That gave him room to experiment without worrying that a slip of the hand would send him somewhere he didn't want to go.

One practical tip here: use the throttle in small increments at first. Twist a little, see what happens, then twist a little more. On a downhill, you'll often find you need none at all. On a slight uphill, a bit of throttle combined with some easy pedaling feels natural and keeps you from straining. Over time you'll stop thinking about it and simply blend the two the way you'd press a gas pedal without looking at it.

The Big Lesson: You Steer It Like a Car

If there's one moment in Brian's ride that every first-time trike rider should pay attention to, it's this one. Barely a minute in, he said that you really steer it almost like a car, not like a bike where you lean into the turn. And he admitted that it was something to get used to.

Here's why. On a two-wheeled bicycle, you turn largely by leaning. Your body and the bike tip into the corner together, and the handlebars do surprisingly little on their own. Most adults who learned to ride as kids have that motion buried deep in their muscle memory. They don't think about it; they just do it.

A trike doesn't work that way. With two wheels in back and one in front, the frame stays level. It doesn't tip into the turn, and it isn't supposed to. You point the front wheel where you want to go, and the trike follows, much like steering a car or a golf cart. Leaning your body can help a little with your own comfort in a sharper corner, but it isn't what makes the trike turn.

That's why Brian kept catching himself. Later in the ride, he mentioned that he was trying to lean into a turn and realized that was a habit he'd have to unlearn. Near the end, he noticed the change: when he was turning, he didn't have to lean anymore. That's the whole learning curve in about eight minutes, from instinct, to awareness, to a new habit.

If you've ridden bicycles for years, expect the same thing. Your body will want to lean, especially in the first few rides. The fix is simple: slow down a bit before the corner, look where you want to go, and turn the handlebars smoothly. Sit tall and relaxed instead of tipping your shoulders. After a handful of turns in a parking lot, it starts to feel normal. People who don't have much bike experience often pick this up even faster, because they have no old habit to fight.

Two Wheels in Back, and a Lot More Confidence

Brian liked the rear wheels right away. He said it was really nice to feel like he had a little more balance, and that as someone who had never done this before, he felt it was easier to stay steady on the trike than it would have been on a two-wheeled bike.

That stability is the main reason people choose a trike in the first place. On a bicycle, balance is something you are actively maintaining the entire time you ride. When you slow down, it gets harder. When you stop, you have to put a foot down. When you start again, there's that wobbly moment before you've built up enough speed to settle in. A trike removes all of that. It stands up on its own whether you're going ten miles an hour or sitting completely still at a crosswalk.

Later in the video, after riding over a few different surfaces, Brian put it even more plainly. He said the trike is very sturdy on its own and you really don't have to do much to hold your balance. He even found that the instinct to lean was sometimes more of a hindrance than a help, because the trike didn't need it.

For riders who have been away from cycling for years, or who have concerns about their balance, joints, or reaction time, this is a big deal. It changes the question from whether you can stay upright to simply where you want to go. That's why trikes are popular with riders who are coming back to cycling after a long break, as well as people looking at electric trikes for seniors specifically.

It's also why Brian felt confident enough to take the trike off the practice area and onto real streets within the same short ride. Someone brand new to a two-wheeled e-bike would usually want more time before heading into traffic. The extra stability shortens that runway considerably, though as we'll get to, it doesn't remove the need for good judgment.

A few minutes into the ride, Brian shared another lesson: you can't overturn. The trike prefers a more gradual arc than a sharp, jerky turn. Once he started making gentler turns, things smoothed out immediately.

This connects directly to the physics of three wheels. Because a trike doesn't lean, the forces of a turn push outward on the rider and the frame instead of being absorbed by tipping into the corner. At low speed with a gentle turn, you barely notice it. At higher speed with a sharp turn, you'll feel the trike want to lift on the inside, and that's your signal to slow down.

Brian noticed this himself. He said that if you accelerate too fast, you can sometimes feel the trike leaning, but that it was very easy to get back under control and he never felt out of control. That's an honest description of how a well-designed trike behaves. It gives you feedback before anything becomes a problem.

He also tried accelerating gently into a wide turn, the way you might in a car. That worked well for him. On a trike, the general rule is to do your braking before the turn while the wheels are straight, take the corner at a steady, moderate speed, and then add a little power as you come out of it. Coming into a turn too fast and then grabbing the brakes in the middle of it is the combination to avoid.

After one corner, Brian said he could see how someone might take things a little too fast, but that he felt he'd taken a perfect turn. That's the kind of self-awareness that keeps new riders safe. You don't need to be fearful, but you should respect that a trike rewards smooth inputs. Slow in, steady through, gentle power out. Practice that in an open space for a few minutes and it becomes second nature.

Brakes You Already Know How to Use

One of the reassuring parts of Brian's first ride was how little explanation the brakes needed. There are two levers on the handlebars, one on the left and one on the right, controlling the front and rear brakes. If you've ever ridden a bicycle with hand brakes, you already know what to do.

Brian called the braking system really easy, and he used it naturally throughout the ride, including a moment where he said he had to brake a bit as he came up on a turn with some speed. That's exactly how it should work. Braking on a trike is about control, not emergency stops.

A few habits help. Use both levers together for most stops, squeezing progressively rather than grabbing hard. Brake while you're traveling in a straight line, before the corner, rather than in the middle of a turn. On downhills, check your speed early with light, steady pressure instead of waiting until you're going faster than you'd like. And remember that letting off the throttle already slows the trike down gradually, so many of your slowdowns will start before you even touch a lever.

Brian also mentioned that he liked how the handlebars sweep back toward the rider, because it meant he had no trouble reaching the brakes. That's easy to overlook, but it matters. If you have to stretch forward or shift your grip to reach a lever, your reactions slow down. A relaxed, upright position with the levers right under your fingers makes stopping feel automatic.

If stopping power is a high priority for you, perhaps because you live somewhere hilly or expect to carry groceries or a passenger, it's worth looking at electric trikes with disc brakes, which offer strong, consistent braking in a range of conditions. Whatever setup you choose, check the brakes before every ride. Squeeze each lever and make sure it feels firm and that the trike won't roll when you push it forward.

Comfort: The Seat, the Bars, and the Riding Position

Brian's speed over the course of the ride tells its own story. He started at four miles an hour, crept up to five, then six, seven, and eight on a straightaway. By the end of the practice laps, his top speed was ten miles an hour, and he said honestly that ten felt pretty fast to him.

He also made a point of saying that he knew these machines can go faster, but that he was choosing to keep it slow. With a laugh, he said his young-man days of going fast were behind him. That's a very healthy attitude for a first ride, and for plenty of rides after it.

Here's the thing about speed on an eTrike: it's entirely optional. Nothing about the trike demands that you go fast. Many riders spend most of their time between eight and twelve miles an hour, which is quicker than walking and casual cycling but slow enough to chat, look around and stop easily. Others enjoy opening it up a bit on a clear, wide path. Both are perfectly good ways to ride.

If you're new, let your comfort level decide, not the display. Give yourself several rides at gentle speeds before pushing further. Notice how the trike feels in turns at each speed. Practice stopping from each speed in an open area. You'll find the point where you're relaxed and in control, and that's your cruising speed for now. It will probably creep up as your confidence grows, just as Brian's did by the end of the video.

Brian also joked that eTrike riding was a lot easier than riding a regular bike, and that he no longer had to worry about that pesky cardio. It got a laugh, but the reality is a bit more interesting. Riders who choose to pedal along with the motor still get real, low-impact exercise. The motor simply removes the parts that make people quit, like the steep hill on the way home or the headwind at the end of a long day. Many people find they ride far more often on an eTrike than they ever did on a regular bike, and more time moving is good for you whatever the speed.

Leaving the Parking Lot: Curbs, Sidewalks, and People

Once he'd done a few practice laps, Brian decided to get a little more adventurous and take the trike out onto the road. This part of the video is useful because it shows the real-world considerations that don't come up in an empty lot.

The first thing he mentioned was curbs. With a wider footprint and larger wheels, you have to be mindful not to clip a curb as you go around corners or pass through narrow spots. A trike's rear axle is wider than your body, so the back wheels track wider than you might instinctively expect. Give yourself extra room on the inside of turns, and take a moment to learn exactly how wide your trike is. Some riders find it helpful to practice rolling alongside a parking-lot line to build that sense of width.

Next came other people. Brian was riding in an office area and didn't expect much foot traffic, but as he moved onto a sidewalk he spotted a person, then a child, and adjusted his route right away. That's precisely the right response. On a sidewalk or shared path, pedestrians have priority. Slow down well before you reach them, give them as much space as you can, and be ready for a child or a dog to move unpredictably.

It's also important to know the local rules. Whether you're allowed to ride an electric trike on the sidewalk varies a great deal by city and state, and some places prohibit it entirely. Where it is allowed, keep your speed close to walking pace around people. Where it isn't, stick to bike lanes, quiet streets or multi-use paths. A quick check of your local regulations before your first ride saves trouble later.

Brian handled a gentle downhill section by easing off the power, and later noticed that on rougher patches and changes in surface, he'd sometimes find himself leaning out of habit, even though the trike remained steady without it. That's normal. Different terrain makes everybody a bit more cautious at first. Wear a properly fitted helmet every time, and you'll ride with more confidence and a much better margin of safety.

Opening It Up: 13, 15, and 16 Miles an Hour

Toward the end of the ride, with a clear stretch in front of him and a few minutes of experience behind him, Brian decided to see what a bit more speed felt like. He went from ten to eleven, then thirteen, then fifteen miles an hour. His reaction was immediate: at these speeds, he said, this is where the eTrike really gets exciting.

He noted that the acceleration was quick, and that it didn't take long at all to reach fifteen. On a second run, he climbed through thirteen and fourteen and back up to fifteen, eventually peaking at about sixteen miles an hour, the fastest he went during the ride.

Two things he said during this stretch are worth highlighting. First, the trike made a very smooth transition as he moved from the road up onto a raised section, without any jolt or drama. Second, he noticed that while turning at these speeds, he didn't have to lean. That's the lesson from the start of the ride coming full circle. In a few minutes, he'd gone from fighting his bicycle instincts to steering naturally.

If you're tempted to explore faster speeds yourself, a few precautions are worth taking. Choose a straight, wide, quiet stretch with good visibility. Make sure the surface is smooth and dry. Do all of your turning at lower speeds until you're very comfortable with how the trike handles. And keep in mind that stopping distance grows with speed, so give yourself more room to brake than you think you'll need.

It's also worth repeating that faster isn't better, just different. Brian clearly enjoyed the thrill of fifteen miles an hour, but most of his ride was spent well below that, and he described the whole thing as smooth, comfortable and fun. The beauty of an eTrike is that you can have both. A relaxed cruise around the neighborhood one day and a brisk ride down a long path the next, all on the same machine.

When Brian finished, he showed how easy it was to power the trike down. The same control he used to start the ride shut everything off. He also pointed out a small but important habit: make sure the throttle is in a position where you won't bump it as you get off.

This one is easy to overlook. On an electric trike, the throttle responds when the power is on. If you're climbing off with the system still active and your hand or knee brushes the throttle, the trike can roll forward unexpectedly. It's not dramatic at low speed, but it's exactly the kind of thing that catches new riders off guard.

A simple routine solves it. Come to a complete stop. Squeeze the brakes. Switch the power off. Then dismount. Do it in that order every time, and it'll quickly become automatic. If your trike has a parking brake or brake lock, use it when you stop on any kind of slope.

After the ride, it's a good time to take care of the trike so it's ready for next time. Charge the battery according to the manufacturer's instructions, store the trike somewhere dry, and give the tires and brakes a quick look. If you ever need a replacement battery or charger down the line, they're available in our batteries and chargers section.

Brian's final comment about the experience as a whole was that it was just a great, smooth ride. Getting to that feeling on day one had a lot to do with taking it step by step: powering up, starting slow, learning the steering, practicing turns, and then expanding into the real world.

What to Wear and Bring on Your First Ride

Brian kept things simple for his first outing, and that's the right approach. You don't need special gear to ride an eTrike, but a few choices make the experience safer and more pleasant.

Start with a helmet that fits snugly and sits level on your forehead. Wear closed-toe shoes with grippy soles so your feet stay planted on the pedals, and avoid loose pant legs or long scarves that could catch in the chain or wheels. Light-colored or reflective clothing helps drivers see you, especially if you'll be riding near traffic the way Brian did once he left the parking lot.

Bring water if you plan to be out for more than a short loop, and a phone in a pocket or bag in case you need it. If you expect to pick up a few things along the way, a basket or a set of bags and panniers keeps your hands free for the bars and brakes. Finally, make sure the battery is charged before you head out. Nothing takes the fun out of a first ride faster than wondering whether you'll make it home under power.

Lessons for Anyone Taking Their First eTrike Ride

Pull back from the play-by-play and Brian's eight minutes on camera form a pretty good beginner's lesson plan. If you're about to take your first ride, here's what his experience suggests.

Start somewhere open and flat. Brian's first laps were in a quiet area with plenty of space, which let him try things without worrying about traffic or pedestrians. Begin by pedaling to get the trike moving, then experiment gently with the throttle. Learn how much response you get from a small input before you ask for more.

Expect to relearn steering. If you've ridden bicycles, your body will want to lean into turns. On a trike, you steer with the handlebars and keep your body upright and relaxed. Make wide, smooth turns at modest speed. Brake before the corner, not during it. You'll feel the trike tell you if you're taking a turn too fast, and the correction is simple: slow down.

Trust the stability, but stay alert. The two rear wheels make balance largely a non-issue, which is what gave Brian the confidence to head out onto the street so quickly. But a stable trike is also a wide trike, so watch for curbs, narrow gaps and the outside path of your rear wheels. Give pedestrians plenty of room, especially kids, and learn the local rules about sidewalks and bike lanes.

Let speed come to you. Brian's top speed went from four miles an hour to about sixteen over the course of a single ride, but he never forced it. His comfort grew first, and his speed followed. Finally, finish every ride the same way: stop, brake, power off, then dismount, keeping your hands and knees clear of the throttle. None of these lessons are complicated, which is really the point. Brian went from never having ridden an e-bike to cruising comfortably on city streets in the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee.

Is an Electric Trike the Right Fit for You?

Brian's ride shows who tends to love an eTrike, and why. If any of these sound like you, a trike is probably worth a serious look.

You want to ride, but balance worries you. Maybe you haven't been on a bike in decades, or you've had a fall, or you just don't love the feeling of tipping. Three wheels take that worry off the table. You're stable when you're moving and stable when you're stopped.

You'd like help with hills, distance or stamina. The motor lets you go farther and climb more without wearing yourself out, and the throttle means you can rest your legs whenever you want. You still get exercise if you pedal, but on your terms.

You value comfort over performance. Upright posture, a wide supportive seat and swept-back handlebars make for long, easy rides without sore wrists or a stiff back. You want something practical, too. Many trikes have room for a big rear basket, which makes errands, picnics and trips to the farmers market easy. Our electric tricycles with a large basket are popular for exactly that reason.

If you're still deciding between two wheels and three, our electric bikes are worth comparing, and our buyer's guide walks through the differences in detail. If you'd rather have someone help you narrow it down, our fitting process matches you to a trike or bike based on your body, your riding style and where you plan to ride. And because nobody can be sure how a bike will feel until they've actually ridden it, our 30-day test ride gives you time to learn it at home, the same way Brian did, before you commit.