Make shopping dramatically more convenient: How to choose a tricycle!
Various uses of tricycles and their benefits
More and more people are considering purchasing a tricycle when they give up their driver's licenses. Why is that?
I think there are three main reasons to consider buying one.
1) I can no longer use my car to go shopping every day, and would like to use a tricycle as an alternative means of transportation. 2) To be able to move quickly during disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons. 3) I would like to use a tricycle because I am elderly and find it dangerous or I cannot ride a motorcycle.
These are the main reasons, but I would like to explain each purpose a little. In particular, we do not recommend tricycles to those who cannot ride two-wheeled vehicles, as in reason 3). For more details, please see the section on the swing function.
Tricycles can "carry a lot of luggage stably"
The biggest advantage of a tricycle is that it can carry more luggage stably. Tricycles are also friendly to the elderly, but in fact, their greatest advantage is their loading capacity, and it is not only the elderly who benefit from them, but also families with children and dual-income families who do a lot of shopping in one trip to stock up on a week's worth of food. In addition to shopping, there are also other examples of tricycles that take advantage of their loading capacity, such as the following:
★ Carrying many tools in a factory and moving over a wide area ★ Carrying equipment at a fish farm and moving it around the premises ★ Carrying soil and blocks for gardening for people who have surrendered their licenses ★ Inspection work while carrying equipment in a warehouse ★ A dedicated shopping vehicle for people living in urban areas who do not own a car
Electrically assisted tricycles make urban life more convenient and economical
While a car is a necessity in the suburbs, in urban areas there are plenty of ways to get around so many people feel it is unnecessary, but the main reasons for this include the lack of free parking at their destination and the high monthly parking fees.
People who move from rural areas to urban areas, with the image that "city life is convenient," often feel that the first thing they experience is the "inconvenience of shopping." The biggest disadvantage of living without a car is not being able to stock up on food, etc., which is a blind spot that is surprisingly not noticed. People who have been living in urban areas for a long time don't feel the "inconvenience of shopping" in particular, and buy what they need every day by motorcycle, so the concept of "bulk buying" may not even exist in urban areas.
At our store, Prism, an online retailer of reflective materials, we would like to explain the "benefit of the loading capacity" of tricycles, which is not widely recognized, using various examples, and convey the appeal of tricycles to not only elderly people, but people of all ages who do not own a car.
Electrically assisted tricycles make shopping easier after surrendering your driver's license
Naturally, many of the people who are thinking about returning their driver's licenses are elderly, but the most difficult thing about returning a driver's license is
●You can't walk to the nearest supermarket for your daily shopping.
●Even if there is a supermarket nearby, if you buy heavy items such as milk, rice, and salad oil, you will not be able to carry other foods at the same time. Unlike urban areas where supermarkets are within walking distance, the situation of license surrender is serious in the suburbs. In some cases, the nearest supermarket is about 30 minutes away on foot, and many people are at a loss without a license.
By using a three-wheeled bicycle, you can transport large amounts of shopping more stably than with a regular two-wheeled bicycle.
The rear basket of the tricycle is 33cm from the ground, creating a low center of gravity
In particular, the Asiraku-Do electric assisted tricycle can carry a total of 21kg of luggage, with 13kg in the rear basket and 8kg in the front basket. In particular, the rear basket is positioned 33cm from the ground, resulting in a low center of gravity and allowing for stable riding. To use an example from a car, this is the same principle as the horizontally opposed engines of Subarus and Porsches, which have cylinder blocks positioned horizontally, resulting in a low center of gravity and good stability. The height from the ground to the rear carrier of a normal two-wheeled vehicle is 70cm, so you can see how low the center of gravity is when loaded with luggage.
The biggest advantage of a tricycle is that it can carry more luggage stably, but it may not seem like much when you hear that the rear basket can hold 13kg, so we actually purchased 13kg of groceries from a popular wholesale supermarket and have posted a picture of what it looks like loaded below for your reference.
I tried putting 13kg of food in the rear basket of the electric-assist three-wheeled bicycle, Asiraku-Do.
It's economical to buy food in bulk on sale days. So, I went shopping at a supermarket to see how much food I could fit in the rear basket of my electric assisted tricycle, Asiraku-Do, and found that 13kg is actually a lot.
The 13kg of purchases I put in the rear basket this time were:
One 5kg bag of rice, six apples, three packs of meat, 1.5 liters of Coca-Cola, frozen vegetables, frozen tempura, Karamuucho, Don Tacos, one pack of frozen white fish, soup for hot pot, sesame shabu sauce, and 1 liter of canola oil. The heaviest ingredients are 5kg of rice, Coca-Cola, and canola oil, but you can still put an extra 8kg in the front basket, which is a significant improvement in carrying capacity compared to a normal two-wheeled CT bike.
I tried putting 8kg of food in the front basket of the electric-assist three-wheeled bicycle, Asiraku-Do.
The front basket of an electrically assisted tricycle can hold up to 8 kg of luggage, but to verify just how much food 8 kg represents, we actually purchased 8 kg of food from the popular wholesale supermarket, just like the rear basket, and tried putting it in the front basket.
The 8kg of shopping I put in the rear basket this time was:
Milk, 1 pack of chicken, ginger, cooking sake, shimeji mushrooms, 1/4 Chinese cabbage, 2 packs of cookies, 1 pack of eggs, carrots, olive oil, frozen food, seafood mix, crackers. Combined with the 13kg in the front basket, you can carry a total of 21kg of luggage at once.
Dimensions of the rear basket of the electric-assist tricycle, Asirakudoo
The dimensions of the rear basket of the electric assisted tricycle Asirakudoo are bottom: width 30 x 35 cm, top: width 37 cm x 44 cm. It is possible to put large eco-bags in it. We will post the actual dimensions, so please use them as a reference when choosing your favorite eco-bag.
Top 3 Electric Assist Tricycles and Details
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| Electrically assisted, no punctures | Electrically assisted low type | Electric Asiraku Do |
Great for emergency evacuation! Electrically assisted tricycles that allow for quick mobility in the event of an earthquake or typhoon
Driving by car is not recommended for evacuation when a typhoon is approaching or for travel to evacuation shelters after an earthquake, especially after an earthquake. However, there are many things you will need when evacuating, such as water, food, cooking utensils, hygiene products, medicine and first aid supplies, a radio to check information, daily necessities such as disposable hand warmers, clothing, valuables, important documents such as your pension book, etc. Many people buy these items regularly, but if you actually try to gather and carry all of these items, you will find that the amount of luggage is much more than you imagined.
Carrying all of these items on foot or by bicycle can be a hindrance if you do not carefully select the items you plan to take with you. In recent years, electric-assist three-wheeled bicycles equipped with puncture-proof tires that do not puncture and do not require constant inflation have become noticeably popular. Like the electric-assist three-wheeled bicycle Asirakudoo, it has a load capacity of 13 kg in the rear basket, and its greatest feature is that it is equipped with puncture-proof tires that are "ready to ride at any time."
The benefit of not needing to pump air is something you don't normally realize, but you'll only realize it when you're in a hurry and your bike is flat. It's not easy to tell if the air is just flat or if the inner tube is punctured, and replacing the tube takes time, so a flat tire is something you definitely want to avoid when evacuating.
If you are considering using a tricycle as a means of transportation in case of an emergency, we recommend an electrically assisted tricycle with no flat tires. If you prepare an evacuation bag that can be loaded into the rear basket, you can ride safely in an emergency and it will also give you peace of mind in everyday life. Note that the front basket of the Asirakudū is only capable of supporting 8kg, while the other tricycles can support 2kg (1.5kg for the mini type).
About the puncture-free tire SUPER FLEX
By using a special technique to inject liquid polyurethane elastomer into the tire tube, we have succeeded in creating a puncture-proof, elastic tire. Compared to conventional puncture-proof tires, this tire has improved problems such as poor cushioning, poor ride comfort, and cracks due to deterioration.
If the alert level is 3, elderly people should start evacuating. It's time for puncture-free electric-assist tricycles.
Disaster prevention information using alert levels allows residents to intuitively understand the degree of risk of a disaster occurring and the evacuation actions they should take.
The Cabinet Office guidelines state that if the alert level is 3, people who require time to evacuate (elderly people, people with disabilities, infants, etc.) and their supporters should evacuate from dangerous areas.
Source: Cabinet Office "Guidelines for Evacuation Information"
| High | Alert Level | Evacuation actions, etc. | Evacuation information, etc. |
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Alert Level 5 Life-threatening danger. Ensure safety immediately. |
A disaster has already occurred or is imminent | Emergency Safety (issued by municipalities) |
| <Be sure to evacuate before alert level 4!> | |||
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Alert Level 4 Evacuate everyone from dangerous areas |
The risk of disaster is increasing. Evacuate from dangerous areas to evacuation shelters as quickly as possible. |
Evacuation orders (issued by municipalities) | |
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Alert Level 3 Elderly people and others evacuate from dangerous places |
People who need time to evacuate (elderly people, people with disabilities, infants, etc.) and their supporters should evacuate from dangerous areas. Other people should prepare to evacuate. | Evacuation of elderly people, etc. (issued by municipalities) | |
| Alert Level 2 | In preparation for evacuation, check your evacuation procedures using hazard maps, etc. | Flood warnings, heavy rain warnings, etc. (issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency) | |
| Low | Alert Level 1 | Improving disaster preparedness | Early warning information (issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency) |
If we follow the guidelines and are always aware that we should head to a shelter immediately if alert level 3 is issued, we will be able to evacuate quickly, right?
However, when it comes to actually evacuating with a lot of luggage, it is undeniable that you will feel a little confused.
If there was a puncture-proof electrically assisted three-wheeled bicycle as a means of evacuation, wouldn't it eliminate any hesitation about whether to evacuate and enable people to take action more quickly?
It is normal for a tricycle to rock from side to side.
A common misconception about tricycles is that "tricycles don't lean left or right," meaning that elderly people can ride them stably. This is probably a misconception that comes from the image of children's tricycles that are fixed and don't lean left or right.
All of the tricycles we stock are designed to lean left and right, which is a very important point to be aware of before purchasing.
Tricycles are able to turn stably thanks to a structure that allows them to lean left and right (swing function), especially when cornering. If this function did not exist, the bike would lose balance when cornering and it would be extremely dangerous.
What is a tricycle with a swing function?
The swing mechanism that allows the front of the vehicle to swing (tilt left and right) is called the "swing function." The swing mechanism has a built-in spring that acts as a restoring force to return the tilted vehicle to a vertical position.
If you can't ride a two-wheeler, can't you ride a three-wheeler?
The reason why tricycles have a swing function is that by swinging the bike while riding, you can lean the entire body around curves in the same way as with a two-wheeled bike, allowing for more stable riding. For people who can ride two-wheeled bikes, riding a tricycle feels natural. The "swing function" is what allows you to ride a tricycle with the same sensation as a two-wheeled bike, so conversely, people who have difficulty riding a two-wheeled bike while maintaining their balance will experience the same sensation when riding a three-wheeled bike, and should consider riding a tricycle to be difficult.
In response to inquiries such as, "I can't ride a two-wheeled vehicle, is it OK to ride a tricycle?", our company answers, "We do not recommend riding a tricycle for people who have difficulty riding a two-wheeled vehicle."
Other points to note about the swing function are as follows:
Important points about the swing function
1) There is a function to temporarily lock the swing function, but this is to temporarily stop the shaking of the bicycle when riding, and is not intended for people who think it is difficult to ride with a swing function to ride without the swing function. It is very dangerous to lock the swing function while riding. If you lock the swing function while riding, you can ride without any problems when going straight, but the moment you try to turn a corner, if the swing function is not activated (locked), you will lose balance and fall, leading to riding in an unexpected direction, which is very dangerous. Please be careful as this is also stated in the manufacturer's instruction manual.
2) The swing function makes it easier to transition from a two-wheeled vehicle, but due to the structure, the riding feel is different from that of a two-wheeled vehicle. Therefore, after purchasing the bicycle, you will need to practice riding a tricycle in a safe place such as an open space.
If you're worried about whether you can ride it, try taking it for a test drive.
If you live in Saitama Prefecture or the Kanto area, you can book a test drive by clicking on "Inquire about this product" on the product page below.https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/alla-moda/mg-trm20eb.html
The only electric assisted tricycles available for test rides are the Ashiraku-Do, but I think you'll be able to get a rough idea of what it's like to ride it.
The test drive will be held in Kazo City, Saitama Prefecture, so why not take a test drive if you are in the area?
Top 3 Electric Assist Tricycles and Details
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| Electrically assisted, no punctures | Electrically assisted low type | Electric Asiraku Do |
Choose a tricycle by function
Non-electrically assisted tricycle
If you plan on riding mostly on flat roads and not traveling long distances, we recommend a tricycle without electric assist.
- Regular size tricycle Swing Charlie 2 MG-TRW20G
- Swing Charlie 911 MG-TRW20NG, a puncture-free tricycle
- Swing Charlie MG-TRE16G - Low type for small people with feet on the ground
We have three types available:
Electrically assisted tricycle
If the area you are riding in has many hills or you often travel long distances, we recommend an electrically assisted type.
- A low-riding electric-assist tricycle for small people, with feet that touch the ground. The Asiraku Charlie Mini.
- Total luggage capacity: 21kg Battery: 8.5Ah Electrically assisted tricycle MIMUGOASHIRAKU-DO
- MIMUGO MG-TRM20EBNF, an electric bicycle that won't flat tires in emergencies
- Electrically assisted tricycle MIMUGO e-parton
We have four types available:
| No puncture electric | Electric Mini | Ashiraku Do | |
| size | Total length 160 x width 59 × Height 97cm Rear wheel width: 55.5cm |
Total length 144 x width 57 × Height 97cm Rear wheel width: 51.5cm |
Total length 162 x width 58 × Height 106cm Rear wheel width: 55.5cm |
| Tire size | Front wheel: 20 inches Rear wheel: 16 inches | Front wheel: 18 inches Rear wheel: 14 inches | Front wheel: 20 inches Rear wheel: 16 inches |
| Saddle Height | 74-87cm | 71-84.5cm | 74-89cm |
| Suitable height | 145cm and up | 140cm and up | 145cm and up |
| gross weight | 36.5kg | 27kg | 30.7kg |
| color | Wine Red | Aqua Green | Champagne Gold |
| Load capacity | Front basket: 2kg Rear basket: 13kg |
Front basket: 1.5kg Rear basket: 12.5kg |
Front basket: 8kg Rear basket: 13kg |
| Assist Switching | 3 modes (high, medium, low) | ||
| battery | Lithium-ion battery (Capacity: 5.8Ah Voltage: 24V) |
Lithium-ion battery (Capacity: 8.5Ah Voltage: 24V) |
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| Charger | Power supply: AC100-240V Charging time: Approximately 4 hours | Power supply: AC100-240V Charging time: Approx. 6 hours |
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| motor | Brushless motor (rated output: 240W) | ||
| Included | Front wheel lock (2 keys) Battery charger (2 keys) | ||