How to Use the Parking Brake on an Electric Trike for Safer Mounting and Parking

Why the Parking Brake Deserves More Attention

Ask most people what makes an electric trike safe and they'll point to the obvious stuff: three wheels instead of two, a low frame, a wide seat. All true. But there's a small feature tucked right next to the handgrips that tends to get overlooked until the moment you really need it, and that's the parking brake.

On a regular bicycle, you rarely think about what the bike does when you're not riding it. You lean it against a wall or drop the kickstand and walk away. A trike is different. It stands on its own, which is part of the appeal, but standing on its own also means it can roll on its own. Park on a driveway with a gentle grade, a sloped parking lot, or a slightly uneven sidewalk, and a trike with no brake holding it will drift. Sometimes slowly, sometimes faster than you'd like.

That matters most at the two moments when a rider is least stable: getting on and getting off. If the trike shifts while you have one leg over the frame or you're halfway into the seat, it's easy to lose your footing. For riders who already deal with balance concerns, stiff joints, or a recent injury, that moment can be the difference between a relaxed ride and a fall.

In a short video from our store, Diane from the sixthreezero team walked through exactly how the parking brake works on the Simple Glide, along with a few other features that make getting on, getting going, and getting off a lot easier. This article takes everything she showed and lays it out step by step, with some extra context on why each part matters and how to build it into your routine.

The trike in the video is the Simple Glide Deluxe, a 750W fat tire model with a rear hub motor. It's built around the idea that riding should feel easy from the first second, and a lot of that comes down to the way it's put together. The frame has a very low step-through, so you don't have to swing a leg high to climb aboard. The fat tires give it a planted, cushioned feel on pavement and packed paths. And it has a twist throttle, so you can ride without pedaling at all if you want to.

If you've been browsing our electric trikes, you've probably noticed that many of them share these traits, and that's deliberate. A lot of the people who come to us for a trike are looking for stability first and speed second. The Simple Glide fits neatly into our easy-to-mount eTrikes and fat tire electric trikes, and it checks a lot of boxes for riders who want something forgiving and predictable.

What stood out in Diane's walkthrough, though, wasn't the motor or the tires. It was how much thought went into the small, unglamorous moments: the brake locks, a fold-down platform near the frame, a seat that slides with one hand, and a throttle that simply won't engage when the brakes are locked. None of those features will show up on a spec sheet as a headline, but they shape how safe and comfortable the trike feels every single day.

The parking brake on this trike lives on the brake levers themselves. On each side of the handlebar, right at the lever, there's a small locking switch. You don't need to hunt for a separate handle or a foot pedal; it's built right into the controls your hands are already resting on.

On the Simple Glide in the video, the switches are marked with small icons showing a locked and unlocked position. That's a nice touch, because it means you can glance down and know right away which state you're in. If your trike doesn't have icons, it's worth taking a minute when it's new to figure out which direction is which, so you're never guessing.

Because there are two brake levers, there are two locks. Diane sets both of them, and that's the habit we'd recommend. Locking both sides gives you a firmer hold, especially on a slope, and it removes any doubt about whether the trike is secure. It only adds a second or two to the process.

If you're shopping and want to compare braking setups across models, our collection of electric trikes with disc brakes is a good place to start. Strong, well-adjusted brakes and a reliable parking lock work hand in hand: one stops you while you're moving, the other keeps you stopped once you've parked.

Setting the lock is simple once you've done it a couple of times, but there's one detail that trips people up at first. Diane actually caught herself on camera, starting to flip the switch before squeezing the lever. The switch is designed to hold the brake lever in its squeezed position, so the lever needs to be pulled in first. Here's the sequence:

1. Squeeze the brake lever. Pull it in toward the grip and hold it there. You don't need to yank it with full strength, just a firm, steady squeeze.
2. Move the small switch to the locked position. While you're still holding the lever, push the locking switch over to lock.
3. Let go of the lever. The switch now holds the brake engaged on its own.
4. Repeat on the other side. Squeeze, lock, release.

That's all there is to it. Once both sides are set, the trike stays put. Diane's phrase for it in the video was that the trike is locked and not going anywhere, and that's exactly how it should feel.

A good habit is to set the brakes before you do anything else: before you load a basket, before you sit down, before you adjust the seat. Think of it the way you'd put a car in park before opening the door. Once it becomes automatic, you'll stop thinking about it, and that's the point.

One of the more convincing moments in the video comes after Diane is already seated. With both parking brakes locked, she leans hard and throws her body weight against the trike, and it doesn't budge. No rolling, no creeping, no wobble from the wheels.

It's worth doing this test yourself the first few times you use the parking brake, ideally with someone standing nearby. Set both locks, then rock gently forward and back in the seat. You'll feel the frame stay planted. That feeling is exactly what builds confidence, especially if you've had an experience with a bike or scooter rolling out from under you in the past.

If you ever notice the trike creeping while the brakes are locked, don't ignore it. Brake cables stretch over time and pads wear, and either can reduce how firmly the parking lock holds. A quick adjustment usually fixes it. Our assembly and setup guides cover a lot of the basics, and if you'd rather have a person look at it, you can always reach out to our team.

The push test is also a good way to check the brakes after any trip in the car or truck bed, after a long stretch in storage, or after anyone else has worked on the trike. It takes ten seconds and tells you a lot.

With the trike locked, Diane moves on to mounting, and this is where the Simple Glide has a feature you won't find on many trikes: a small fold-down platform near the low part of the frame.

The step-through on this model is already very low, so plenty of riders will simply walk up and sit down. But if you have balance or stability issues, or you just like having something solid underfoot, you can fold the platform down and use it as a step. Diane put a little weight on it, shifted across, and settled into the seat in one smooth motion.

Here's the key thing to understand: the platform only works as a stable step because the parking brake is holding the trike still. If the trike could roll, putting weight on one side of it while you climb on would be a lot less comfortable. The two features are designed to be used together.

• Lock both parking brakes first.
• Fold the platform down.
• Put one foot on the platform and shift a portion of your weight onto it, using the handlebars for support.
• Move across and lower yourself into the seat.

Take it slowly the first few times. Rushing is what causes most mounting stumbles, not the trike itself. If you're comparing models specifically for ease of getting on and off, browse our low step-thru eTrikes, which are designed with that in mind.

After you're in the seat, the platform can either stay down or come back up, depending on how you plan to ride.

Diane pointed out that if you're going on a throttle-only ride, meaning you won't be pedaling at all, you can keep the platform down for the whole ride. Some riders like this because it gives them a place to rest their feet. Just make sure it's not in the way of anything and that you're comfortable with how it sits before you set off.

If you plan to pedal, you'll want it up and out of the way. There are two easy ways to do that. If you have the flexibility, lean over and pull it up by hand. If bending to the side isn't comfortable for you, use your feet instead. Diane mentioned that she often does it this way, nudging it up and down with her feet. It's quick, and it means you don't have to twist your back or reach down while seated.

That second option is a small detail, but it says a lot about how the trike is meant to be used. Not everyone can comfortably bend sideways from a seated position, and good design shouldn't require it.

Before taking the trike out, Diane showed one more thing that has a surprisingly large effect on both comfort and safety: the seat adjustment.

On the Simple Glide, there's a lever under the seat. You push it down, and the seat slides forward or back. Release the lever, and it locks in place. Diane made a point of saying you don't need strong arms to do it, and in the video it's clearly a light push. Some people like to sit closer to the handlebars; others prefer a little more room. You can try both positions in a few seconds and settle wherever feels right.

Being able to move the seat while seated or standing next to the trike is a real convenience. If you share the trike with a spouse or family member of a different height, it means each person can dial in their own position without tools.

Diane also adjusted her seat height a bit before her ride, mentioning that she's on the shorter side. Seat height and seat position work together. Too high and you'll be stretching for the pedals and the ground; too low and your knees will be cramped when you pedal. If you'd like an upgrade in cushioning or shape, take a look at our sixthreezero seats, and if comfort is your top priority overall, our most comfortable electric trikes collection is worth a browse.

It's easy to think of fit as a comfort issue only, but on a trike it directly affects control. When you're seated at the right distance from the handlebars, you can reach both brake levers without leaning forward. Your arms stay relaxed, which makes steering smoother. Your feet land on the pedals naturally rather than reaching or jamming.

A rider who is stretched out or cramped tends to grip harder, steer more abruptly, and fatigue faster. None of those things are dangerous on their own, but together they make every stop and turn a little less precise. That's why we put so much emphasis on fit.

Diane mentioned in the video that every bike can be customized to your fit and that our team will help you do it. If you're not sure where to start, our fitting consultation walks you through it with a real person, not a quiz. You can tell us about your height, your mobility, and how you plan to ride, and we'll point you toward the setup that suits you.

If you already own a trike and it's never felt quite right, it may not be the trike itself. A few small changes to seat height and position often make a noticeable difference.

With the rider comfortably seated, the next step is powering up. On the Simple Glide, this happens in two stages, and it's worth knowing both because it's a common source of confusion for new owners.

1. Press the button on the battery. There's a small button on the side of the battery pack. Pressing it wakes the battery up.
2. Press the power switch on the handlebar. Once the battery is on, press the power button at the controls, and the display lights up.

If you press the handlebar power button and nothing happens, the battery button is the first thing to check. It's an easy step to forget, especially if you're used to devices that turn on with a single press.

Keeping your battery healthy makes all of this more reliable. Store it according to the manual, avoid leaving it fully drained for long stretches, and charge it with the correct charger. If you ever need a replacement or a spare, you can find them with our batteries and chargers.

Once the display is lit, it gives you the essentials at a glance. Diane ran through what it shows on her trike: how much battery you have left, how fast you're going, which pedal assist level you're in, and how far you've traveled.

When she first powered on, the pedal assist level read zero. That's a sensible starting point, because it means the motor isn't ready to push you anywhere until you choose to let it. Many riders like to power on, check the battery level, and only then select an assist level once they're settled and ready to roll.

It's worth spending a few minutes with your display when the trike is new, with the parking brakes locked, so you can press the buttons and see how everything changes without worrying about moving. Learn where the assist up and down buttons are by feel. The less you have to look down while riding, the better.

If your display is ever damaged or stops working properly, replacement eBike displays are available, though it's best to check with our team first to make sure you're getting the right one for your model.

Here's a detail that confuses a lot of new owners: on this trike, the throttle won't do anything while pedal assist is set to zero. Diane bumped the level up to pedal assist one before trying the throttle, and explained that pedal assist needs to be on for the throttle to work.

If you've ever twisted the throttle on a new trike and gotten no response, this is probably why. It's not a fault. It's a design choice that prevents the motor from engaging when the system is in its resting state.

Starting at level one is a good habit in general. It's the gentlest setting, so when the motor does engage, it does so softly. You can always step up once you're moving and comfortable. Jumping straight to a high level from a standstill can make the trike surge more than you expect, particularly on loose surfaces or when you're still getting used to it.

The Simple Glide in the video uses a twist throttle, which you rotate with your wrist. If throttle-only riding is important to you, take a look at our electric trikes with throttle control to compare styles and setups.

With pedal assist on, Diane twisted the throttle, and the trike didn't move. That's because the parking brakes were still locked. She called it another safety feature, and it's a good one.

Think about what could happen without it. You're seated, the brakes are locked, and you accidentally brush the throttle while reaching for something or adjusting your grip. If the motor engaged, you'd have the motor pushing against locked brakes, or worse, a jolt forward the moment you released them. Instead, the system simply refuses to power the wheels while the brakes are engaged.

This is especially reassuring for riders who are still learning where everything is, or for anyone whose hands aren't as steady as they used to be. An accidental twist doesn't become an accident.

It also gives you a simple order of operations: lock the brakes, get on, power up, set your assist level, and only then release the brakes. Nothing happens until you're ready for it to happen.

Once you're ready to ride, releasing the brakes is just the setting process in reverse. Diane described it as squeezing in, turning the little lever from lock to unlock, and releasing.

1. Squeeze the brake lever slightly. This takes the pressure off the locking switch.
2. Move the switch to unlock.
3. Let the lever out slowly.
4. Repeat on the other side.

Once both sides are released, the throttle will respond. Before you twist it, take a breath, check your surroundings, and make sure your feet are where you want them, whether that's on the pedals or on the platform for a throttle-only ride.

If you're parked on a slope when you release the brakes, keep one lever squeezed lightly while you unlock the other side. That way the trike doesn't start rolling before you're ready. Then release the second lock and ease off the brakes as you apply a little throttle.

Diane took the Simple Glide out for a short loop using only the throttle, with no pedaling at all. It was a windy day, and she turned around partway through, but her comment on the way back was simply how smooth the ride felt.

That's one of the biggest reasons people choose a trike like this. You don't have to be strong, fast, or especially fit to enjoy it. The fat tires soak up small bumps, the three-wheel stance means you never have to balance at low speed, and the throttle can carry you when your legs would rather rest.

If you're new to trikes, keep in mind that they steer differently than bicycles. You don't lean into turns the way you do on two wheels. Instead, you slow down before the turn and steer through it. Take corners gently, especially at first, and give yourself extra room. A quiet parking lot or an empty street is a great place to practice.

And while it may go without saying, a good helmet belongs on every ride, no matter how short. Our sixthreezero helmets are designed with the same easygoing riders in mind.

The most telling part of the whole video happened when Diane came back to park. She pulled into a spot and noticed the parking lot had a slant to it. Rather than just locking the brakes, she used it to show what happens when you don't.

With the brakes squeezed only lightly, she let go entirely. The trike started rolling backward. She was quick to point out that the decline was very slight, the kind you might not notice while walking across the lot. Yet it was enough to move a fully loaded trike with a rider on it.

That's an important lesson. Most of us judge a surface by how it looks or how it feels underfoot, and a lot of parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks have grades that are designed for water drainage and are almost invisible. A trike will find that slope even if you don't.

Imagine stepping off in that situation without the parking brake set. You'd have one foot on the ground and one still on the trike, and the trike starts moving away from you. That's exactly the scenario the parking brake is there to prevent.

After showing the roll-back, Diane demonstrated the right way to park on that same slant. The process is almost identical to setting the brakes on flat ground, with a little extra care:

1. Come to a full stop using both brake levers.
2. Keep a light, steady pull on the brakes so the trike doesn't creep while you work the switches.
3. Push the switch on one side from unlock to lock.
4. Do the same on the other side.
5. Release your grip and confirm the trike stays put.

Once both sides were locked, Diane let go, and the trike didn't move. The same slope that had rolled her backward a minute earlier now had no effect at all.

When you can, it's still smart to park in the flattest spot available, and to point the trike in a direction that makes your exit easy. But on days when the only open spot has a tilt to it, the parking brake turns a tricky situation into a non-issue. If you regularly navigate tight or sloped parking areas, you might also be interested in our eTrikes with reverse gear, which make backing out of a spot a lot easier.

With the trike parked and locked, Diane folded the platform back down and used it to step off. She described it as having the stability of knowing the parking brake is on, and that's the heart of the whole video.

Dismounting is the mirror image of mounting:

• Confirm both parking brakes are locked.
• Turn off the power at the handlebar, so the throttle can't engage by accident.
• Fold the platform down if you want to use it.
• Shift your weight onto the platform or the ground, using the handlebars for support.
• Step away from the trike once you're steady on both feet.

It's tempting to rush this part, especially at the end of a ride when you're ready to head inside. Slow down anyway. A calm, deliberate dismount takes only a few extra seconds, and those seconds are exactly when the parking brake and platform do their best work.

Features only help if you use them every time. The good news is that the parking brake routine is short enough to become second nature within a week or two. Here's the full sequence from the video, condensed into a routine you can follow on every ride:

Before you get on

• Lock both parking brakes.
• Do a quick push test to make sure the trike is holding.
• Fold the platform down if you want to use it.

Getting settled

• Mount slowly, using the platform and handlebars.
• Adjust the seat if needed.
• Raise the platform by hand or with your feet, unless you're riding throttle-only.

Starting up

• Press the battery button, then the handlebar power button.
• Check your battery level on the display.
• Set pedal assist to level one.
• Unlock both parking brakes.

Parking

• Stop fully and hold the brakes.
• Lock both sides, then let go and confirm the trike holds.
• Power down before dismounting.
• Step off slowly.

It looks like a lot written out, but in practice the whole thing takes under a minute. Some riders find it helpful to say each step out loud the first few times. After a while your hands will go to the brake switches automatically every time you stop.

Diane spoke directly to seniors and anyone with balance or stability concerns, and those riders do get the most from this feature. If getting on and off is the hardest part of riding for you, a reliable parking brake can be what makes riding possible again.

But it's useful for nearly everyone. Riders who carry groceries or other cargo benefit because loading a basket on a slope is far easier when the trike can't drift. If you're shopping with that in mind, our sixthreezero baskets and high weight capacity eTrikes are worth a look. Riders who live on hilly streets will use it constantly. And anyone who parks on uneven ground, whether at a beach lot, a park trailhead, or their own driveway, will appreciate knowing the trike will be exactly where they left it.

It's also helpful for caregivers and family members. If you're helping a parent or partner onto a trike, having the frame locked in place lets you focus on supporting the rider rather than steadying the trike at the same time.

If you're looking for a trike with these needs in mind, our electric trikes for seniors collection brings together models designed around stability, easy mounting, and simple controls.

Most parking brake problems come down to a handful of easy-to-fix habits. Here are the ones we see most often:

• Flipping the switch without squeezing the lever. Diane did this herself for a second in the video. The lever needs to be pulled in first, or the lock won't engage properly.
• Locking only one side. One side may hold on flat ground, but on a slope you want both.
• Assuming the ground is flat. As the slope demonstration showed, a barely visible grade is enough to roll a trike.
• Forgetting to unlock before riding. If the throttle doesn't respond, check the parking brake before assuming something is wrong with the motor.
• Leaving the power on while dismounting. The brake lockout helps, but powering down is still the safest habit.
• Ignoring a slipping lock. If the trike creeps while locked, have the brakes adjusted rather than living with it.

None of these are serious on their own, and all of them disappear once the routine is second nature.

Because the parking brake relies on the same brake system you use while riding, keeping your brakes in good shape keeps your parking lock reliable too. Every few weeks, take a moment to squeeze each lever and notice how far it travels before the brake bites. If the lever feels spongy or pulls much closer to the grip than it used to, it's time for an adjustment.

Listen for grinding or squealing, and look at the pads if you can see them. Keep the brake area free of mud and grime, especially after wet rides. And if your trike sits unused for a while, do a quick push test with the brakes locked before your next ride.

If something doesn't seem right, don't guess. Check your warranty coverage and contact our team so we can help you sort it out. A well-maintained brake system is one of the simplest ways to keep every ride feeling as confident as the first one.

Can I ride with the parking brake partly engaged?

No. On the Simple Glide, the throttle won't engage while the brakes are locked, and even on trikes without that lockout, riding against a dragging brake wears pads quickly and makes the motor work harder. Always unlock both sides fully before you set off.

Do I need the parking brake on flat ground?

It's a good idea every time. Ground that looks flat often isn't, and the lock also keeps the trike steady while you shift your weight to get on or off. Making it a habit on flat ground means you'll never forget it on a slope.

How long can I leave the parking brake locked?

Leaving it locked while the trike is parked is exactly what it's designed for, whether that's a few minutes outside a shop or overnight in the garage. If the trike will sit for weeks, check the brakes before your next ride, since cables can settle over time.

Is the platform required to get on?

Not at all. The step-through on this model is low enough that many riders walk right up and sit down. The platform is there for riders who want extra support, and it's easy to ignore if you don't need it.

What if my hands are weak or arthritic?

The brake levers only need a firm, steady squeeze while you move the switch, not a hard grip. If you find it difficult, practice while seated with the trike on flat ground, and talk to our team about lever position. Small adjustments to where the levers sit on the handlebar can make them easier to reach and pull.

Does the parking brake replace a kickstand?

A trike already stands on its own, so it doesn't need a kickstand for balance. What it needs is something to keep it from rolling, and that's the parking brake's job.

Watching someone use a parking brake is helpful. Feeling it for yourself is better. If you're near our store, Diane's invitation still stands: you can come in for a free test ride and try these features in person, especially if balance or stability is something you think about. Check our visit us page for current hours and to set up a time.

If you're not close by, our 30-day test ride gives you a month to try a trike at home, on your own driveway and your own streets, which is the best place to find out how a parking brake fits into your routine. And for more guides like this one, browse the rest of our bike advice articles or dig into the buyer's guide.

Small features rarely get the spotlight, but they're often what make a trike something you'll actually ride. A parking brake that holds firm, a platform that gives you a solid step, a seat that moves with one hand, and a throttle that waits until you're ready. Put together, they turn getting on and off into the easiest part of the ride.