It's the Name!
 

Okay, I've figured out why recumbents aren't more popular among the masses. It's the name!! "Recumbent" is just too cumbersome and conjures up images of sloth and laxidazia (is that a word?) rather than of the speed and excitement. People do caution me not to fall asleep while riding. The shortened "bent" is no better as it suggests a DF that's gone wrong. I suggest that bent riders of the world unite and come up with a new name. I've heard of a DF called an "upwrong." How about calling our bents "downrights?" Maybe not.... Any better suggestions out there?

Peter, Action Bent Road Runner, Canada

This has been discussed ad nauseum in just about every recumbent-oriented forum or listserv that exists or has ever existed, with no universally-accepted suggestions to show for all the trouble. The best suggestion I've heard is 'horizontals' as opposed to the 'uprights.'

Just curious, where did the name "recumbent" come from?

According to the dictionary, recumbent literally means: "lying down; in a position of comfort or rest"

Check out this recumbent history:
http://www.bicycleman.com/history/history.htm