Driver88

Hello,

I am considering buying a new bike,first considered a 'cruiser', but as I have trouble with balance on a "normal bike" I am now leaning towards a trike. Testrode the HP Scorpion and loved it.
I also like the HASE KETTWIESEL, but my main concern is : will I be visible enough on a recumbent (trike) in general?
I mean : I can add a flag, wear bright yellow clothing and/or a colourful helmet, but will car-drivers notice me?
I've always been very careful in traffic when cycling, but still....not sure what to think/do.

Can You guys convince me on this one? Or are bents just unsafe on our busy roads?
Thanks!

steveknight

the bike is higher then normal trikes. so with a little effort it should be fine.

Engyo

I'm told that the oddity factor makes recumbents and trikes in particular even more visible than DF bikes, but I can't speak from experience.

BlazingPedals

What kind of traffic conditions are there where you ride?

djwid

When I ride my tadpole I find drivers give me much more space than when I am on my DF. When I am on my Corsa (SWB bent) I get a bit more space than my DF but less than the trike.

A Kett is pretty high up, add in some normal bike lights and bright colors and you will be fine. In fact I think you will be better off than a DF because of the easy start/stop, the stability and the straight line tracking of a trike, especially when it is wet, icey, on gravel, etc. Conditions that make a 2 wheel less stable and therefor less predictable for drivers.

aenlaasu

I have to go with the others on the 'What is THAT??' factor with a trike tends to catch attention more than the every day DF bike. Most drivers tend to give me as much space as they would a car.

One of the worst problems I've had is someone staring at me slack jawed and the car heads straight toward what their looking at... me.

ken cummings

Go with the lights, color, and flags if the machine has no fairing. The big fully faired trike I used to ride would bring all car traffic to a halt just so they could watch me go by.

10 Wheels

You will be OK.Drivers stop sometimes just to figure out what they are looking at.

Driver88

Both busy roads & calmer bike paths. But I will use it mainly as a recreational bike, so I can go for the best paths & roads.

Thank you all for the input !

gcottay

Based on my experience, any road safe enough for a DF is also safe enough for a bent. Like others, based on driver responses, it seems a trike may be a bit safer than anything on two wheels.

In daylight, for most drivers, most of the time, a squirrel is plenty visible. In that same daylight, for some drivers, some of the time, a huge emergency vehicle with blindingly bright lights and loud siren is quite invisible.

On my low tadpole, the main issue is my height limited sight lines. I simply assume that what I cannot see might hurt me and use appropriate caution.

I am certainly a safer rider on a trike than on a DF or two-wheeled bent because I am more willing to greatly reduce speed as may be appropriate.