Choosing a Mobility Aid After a Stroke: How ETrikes Help Stroke Survivors Stay Active & Independent

Choosing a mobility device after a stroke.

Hey everyone, I'm Dustin. I have nearly 20 years of experience in the bike and e-bike industry. Today, we're going to talk about choosing a mobility device after a stroke. All right, I've got three great electric tricycles right here. The Simple Glide standard fat tire and Relaxed body. I want to preface this by saying I am not a doctor, and I don't want to give medical advice. I just want to speak about my experience with electric trikes as a mobility option for anyone who has suffered from a stroke. Now, if you get advice from your doctor not to go in this direction, then please follow that and don't listen to me. Now, I've done a lot of test rides here, and we have had riders that have come post-stroke that are rehabilitating or they're rehabilitating, trying to get muscle movement back, trying to get out and exercise, but they wanna do it safely. So there are so many mobility options out there, and it depends on what you're looking for and what your goals are. I wanna speak to you today about electric tricycles and how these can be an aid to helping get your body moving again, if that's possible for you, or if you still have movement, or you can rehabilitate.

If you can't, they still may be a good option if you've lost some feeling or sensation in your legs or your arms. And I'll explain why they can still be an option and why they are still a great option amongst a lot of mobility devices if you do wanna get out and be independent on your own, if you can't ride or drive a car, for instance. So, if you are someone that has had a stroke and let's say you've lost some amount of sensation in your leg or you're getting it back and you're going through physical therapy, electric trikes can be a great tool, and aid for you to continue to build muscle strength and get back to moving your body similarly to how you were before the stroke, E-trikes in particular are cool because number one, they've got three wheels on the ground, so they're incredibly balanced. You want to make sure you choose the right E-trike that is safe. I've brought three right here that are three of the most stable e-trikes on the market. These are recumbent styles where you're pedaling out in front of your body. And this one right here has four-inch-wide tires, which make it very stable and very easy to ride. Also, the Relaxed body with this elongated frame stays very balanced as well. You're also pedaling out in front of your body. You can also see that with the Simple Glide here, you've got this very high backrest.

And you have armrests here if you need to rest your arms, so you can ride in a very relaxed position. Let me demonstrate here. Where you can keep your arms actually on the armrest here. So if you can't hold your arm up, maybe you've lost some feeling in your arm or your right side completely, you can rest your hand here so you don't have to hold it up under your power. Now, The cool thing is with the electric assist, if you've lost a certain amount of leg strength, you can utilize the assistance of the motor while you pedal. You have five levels of assistance: one, two, three, four, and five. You can keep it at a low level if you have a good amount of strength, or you can turn it up to level five and have the trike do nearly all of the work while you still move your legs to keep that motion and build back your strength slowly over time. So they can add work as an aid for you. The other thing, too, is if you struggle with your foot staying on the pedal, there are always options for pedals where you can strap your feet in. So that exists as well. Now, the cool thing is is all of these e-Trikes also have throttles. These are all twist throttles where you twist them to go, but there are also push throttles that exist as well, where you push them to go.

Now, the benefit of that is if you are someone who has had a stroke, maybe you don't have the ability to move your legs and turn the pedals. Well, this option has a footrest here, and you can twist the throttle and go without pedaling at all. Now, the great thing about an e-trike compared to other mobility devices is you can go up to 16 to 18 miles an hour by just twisting the throttle. Many of the other electric scooters that exist out there they're gonna have top speeds of about five miles an hour. So, if you want something that's a practical mobility device that you can run errands with and regain your independence a trike. I feel, is a superior option to an electric mobility scooter because you can get places quicker and you can also have large baskets. We have baskets on the front and the rear here. So you can have that space to pick up items, to bring items with you, which again, isn't normally prevalent on electric mobility scooters that exist out there. The other cool thing is, if you want to work back to getting your legs moving you can use the throttle in the beginning and then as you build strength back you can start to use the assistance and dial the assistance back as you feel that your body is starting to better respond to your physical therapy and your bike riding. So, Cycling is a very low-impact exercise that's great for rehabilitation and e-trikes. I believe, is a great option as a mobility device after having a stroke. But again, check with your doctor and also find the right e-trike that is safe and balanced. I've outlined three right here that, like I said, are three of the most stable.

If you want the most stable, the Simple Glide 750 watt with these fat tires, these are four-inch wide tires, with a very stable base.That doesn't have any risk of tipping. Because, of course, you want to feel safe and secure. Also, with a seat like this, it makes sure that you stay nicely tucked into the seat. You won't slide off at all. And again, you can rest your arms, and you only have to work your body as much as you want to. Any questions or comments, please reach out to us at theteam@sixthreezero.live or call us at 310-982-2877. In addition to that, we offer a 30-day test ride on your e-trike policy. If you don't love it in the first 30 days, send it back. No questions asked, no money out of your pocket. Also, we're going to warranty everything for one year. If anything goes wrong in the first year, we'll take care of it, parts and labor. Also, if you want to come for a test ride, we're here in San Clemente, California at 1046 Kairokoto Unit K. Come test ride any of our e-trikes before you purchase and join our community. We have a Facebook group called Sixthreezero Pedalers. Join the group before you purchase to talk to existing riders to ensure you're making the right choice. Then, when you have yours, post in the group, make friends, and finally download our app to track your rides and compete on the leaderboard. So thanks for sticking around and don't forget, your journey or experience.

If you or someone you love is thinking about an e-trike after a stroke, these points can help you plan the next step with your care team.

What Experts Say About Exercise After a Stroke

The American Heart Association says physical activity should begin as soon as it's safe after a stroke, and that the right amount should be decided with your health care team. Aerobic exercise, including cycling, is one of the five types of activity it recommends for stroke survivors. One stroke specialist suggests about 10 minutes, four times a week, as a safe place to start, then building up over time. (American Heart Association)

An electric trike can make that kind of activity easier to start, because you choose how much the motor helps.

Features That Matter After a Stroke

• Easy on and off. The Relaxed Body has a 13" step-over, so you barely lift your foot. The Simple Glide Fat Tire lets you sit back into a high-back seat with armrests instead of climbing over a frame.
• No balancing. Three wheels keep the trike upright when you stop, so you don't need to catch it with your feet.
• Rest whenever you need to. A throttle can move the trike without pedaling, and pedal assist lets you add as much or as little effort as feels right.
• Check the throttle side. If one hand is weaker, look at where the throttle sits. On the Relaxed Body, the thumb throttle is on the left grip.

Getting Started Safely

• Get the OK from your doctor or therapist first, and ask how long and how hard you should ride.
• Practice in a quiet, open space, like an empty parking lot, with a family member or friend nearby.
• Start with short rides and the pedal assist on a low level, then build up as you feel stronger.
• Wear a helmet on every ride.
• Stop and get checked if you feel chest pain, dizziness or anything unusual.

FAQs

Can I ride an electric trike after a stroke?

Many stroke survivors can, once their care team says it's safe. Three wheels, a step-through frame and a throttle make an e-trike easier to manage than a two-wheel bike, but your doctor or therapist should help decide when you're ready.

Do I have to pedal?

No. The throttle can move the trike without pedaling, which is useful for starting from a stop or resting. Pedaling with a little assist gives you more exercise.

Which e-trike is easiest to get on?

The Relaxed Body, with its 13" step-over, and the Simple Glide Fat Tire, with its chair-style seat and armrests, are the easiest in our lineup. If balance is your main concern, see our guide to bikes for balance problems.

How long should my first rides be?

Ask your care team. As a starting point, one stroke specialist quoted by the American Heart Association suggests about 10 minutes, four times a week, building up over time.