Back in the Saddle: Why E-Trikes Are Perfect for Nervous or First-Time Riders

By Naomi Girdler, Environmental Comms & Engagement Officer

The last time I rode a bike was over a decade ago – on a wobbly second-hand cycle I’d bought on Facebook Marketplace that needed a lot of work. I’d gone out on my first ride, lost control of the bike, and ended up crashing into a wall, scarring myself, both physically and mentally. Unsurprisingly, I was a little shaken up, and it turned out to be the last time I rode a bicycle.

Fast forward to 2025, and now I work on the Climate Connections team, where sustainable travel is an important part of our project to reduce the city’s carbon emissions. Through my role, working closely with Connect Plymouth, I was offered the chance to give an electric-assisted trike a go on a short bike ride around Plymbridge Woods.

I’ll admit, the idea did make me anxious. I have hypermobility, which means I’m quite unbalanced and uncoordinated. Ultimately though, I felt like a trike was a great entryway to getting back into cycling and confronting my fears. I found myself genuinely looking forward to it.

In classic British fashion, there was a moderate rain warning on the day of the ride, and the heavens had well and truly opened. But that didn’t deter me. Waterproofs on, I hopped on an electric bus to Coypool Park & Ride car park, where Plymouth Bike Hire is based.

Once there, it was amazing to see the different types of bikes and trikes available, stored securely at the Bike Hire site. You don’t need to worry about a helmet; there are plenty to choose from to fit your noggin.

We were then escorted to our trikes, and I was surprised to see how comfortable they looked! Lovely, deep padded chairs and a strong and sturdy bike frame, a million miles away from my ropey second-hand bike of yesteryear.

Thanks to the helpful team at Plymouth Bike Hire, we were seated in our bikes and made sure they were the right size for our heights. With the electrical aspect of the bike, we were introduced to the simple controls; battery assist, brakes and steering handles.

A quick couple of rounds around the car park, and we were off! Despite the rain, the Plymbridge Woods trail offered the perfect and simple path to try out the bikes. While they are sizeable machines, the electric battery makes the trike a dream to ride. You only need a couple of good pumps of the pedals, and then the battery takes over, keeping you riding smoothly with very little effort.

We flew through the woods! What a thrill! Considering it had been such a long time since I’d ridden, I was surprised at how much fun I was having and how little anxiety I felt on the trike. I felt safe and secure, and it was worth noting that the brakes were sensitive and worked quickly, making me feel totally in control of the bicycle – perfect for an anxious rider like me.

Due to the weather, we only did a quick jaunt around the woodland trail, but in that short 20 minutes, I’d grown in confidence. It allowed me to remember how fun it is to whiz around. It even inspired me to rent out a Beryl bike and give two wheels a go, something I hadn’t seriously considered before.

Overall, I was so pleasantly surprised by how easy and fun the e-assisted trikes were to use. It was a great way to break the ice of cycling again and has made me feel more empowered to try and get more experience on a two-wheeled bike.

I would highly recommend a trike ride to anyone, especially those who may have any mobility issues, anxiety or lack of confidence when riding. It’s such a beneficial hobby for your health, wellbeing and happiness, and I feel silly for leaving it so long between rides!

If you’ve been nervous about cycling, start with three wheels – it’s a major confidence booster!

Bike rental starts from £15, book your bike ride today: www.plymouthbikehire.co.uk.