New E-Trike Helps Riders with Joint Pain Stay Mobile

Getting around on two wheels gets harder as we age or face mobility challenges, but a new electric tricycle is changing that equation.

The Chill from Australian company Trike Bike puts riders in a semi-reclined position with their legs stretched forward and back fully supported. This design distributes weight evenly across the body instead of putting strain on knees, hips, and wrists like traditional bikes do.

"You sit lower, with proper back support, and your weight evenly distributed," says company founder Michael Coates. "For many people it immediately feels more natural and stable."

The tricycle's wide comfort seat slides along an angled rail, adjusting both height and distance from the handlebars to fit riders between five and six-and-a-half feet tall. A mesh backrest provides support that standard bikes and even most electric trikes don't offer.

But comfortable doesn't mean slow. The Chill packs a 500-watt motor producing 130 newton-meters of torque, enough to climb 25% gradients using just the thumb throttle. The battery provides up to 93 miles of range on the lowest assist setting, and riders can add a second battery for longer trips.

The tricycle includes eight-speed hub gearing that shifts smoothly even when stopped, hydraulic disc brakes on all three wheels, and front and rear turn signals for safety. A removable cargo basket between the rear wheels can haul up to 110 pounds of groceries or gear.

The company spent over a year developing the Chill specifically for people with limited balance, reduced mobility, back discomfort, joint pain, or reduced pedaling strength. These riders often get left behind as the electric bike revolution takes off, forced to give up independence or settle for less capable mobility aids.

Why This Inspires

The Chill represents a shift in thinking about who gets to participate in the cycling revolution. Instead of assuming that people with mobility challenges need to compromise on performance or freedom, Trike Bike engineered a solution that delivers both comfort and capability.

The tricycle's design also opens cycling to older adults who want to stay active but can't handle the demands of traditional bikes. With populations aging worldwide, innovations that extend independence and outdoor activity can improve quality of life for millions.

At around $3,000 during the pre-order period (rising to nearly $4,000 later), the Chill costs more than basic electric bikes but less than many mobility scooters. For riders who've been sidelined by pain or balance issues, that price buys back freedom.

Sometimes the most inspiring innovations aren't the flashiest, they're the ones that help people reclaim what they thought they'd lost.