Oh sure, recumbents are OK for people who have physical disabilities like trikes for poor balance; and some bents are OK for various back ailments - on an individual basis. I originally went to bents for hand pain and shortly after than I discovered their speed capabilities. While many bents are designed for comfort first and speed isn't even on the to-do list, others are very capable of going fast. Once I discovered THOSE recumbents, there was no going back! Just a couple of years ago, at 60+, I recorded a 50-miler at 26 mph average speed. That would have been impossible for a younger me to do on my old road bike! I sort of regret not having one to train on when I was younger.