Three-wheeled Wheelchairs

Published: April 29, 2014

Three-wheeled motorized wheelchairs and scooters are nothing new. In fact, if you are dependent on a wheelchair, it’s likely that you yourself have used one at some point in time. However, many people don’t realize that non-powered wheelchairs are available with three wheels as well. If you’ve never considered a three-wheeled wheelchair before now, perhaps you should.

Why Opt for Three Wheels?

The primary benefit of three-wheeled wheelchairs – particularly chairs that place the third wheel behind the occupant rather than in front – is their maneuverability. Like a forklift, a three-wheeled wheelchair with the pivoting wheel in the back can turn around its axis. In other words, it can turn entirely in place (a standard wheelchair can too, of course, by turning the wheels in opposite directions – but with three wheels, it’s more intuitive). The benefits don’t end there, however. Other benefits include:

• Lightweight – A three-wheeled, non-powered wheelchair is incredibly light. Some modern interpretations of the design, such as that offered by Trekinetic, even include such advanced components as carbon fiber – the same material used in the construction of Formula One racecars.
• Smaller Size – It’s easy to see how a three-wheeled wheelchair would be smaller than a traditional four-wheeled wheelchair. But when you see the difference in person, it can be striking. This smaller size can make the difference between being able to easily maneuver around your kitchen at home and avoiding smaller quarters altogether.

As you may have noticed, both of these features make the wheelchair more convenient and ultimately easier to use. Three-wheeled wheelchairs are also better suited to uneven terrain, making them the preferred choice for outdoor enthusiasts. It is not without reasons that some manufacturers design their chairs with three wheels instead of four!

Considerations

In many cases, three-wheeled wheelchairs – particularly non-powered versions designed for athletes, outdoor enthusiasts and individuals seeking additional mobility – incorporate advanced materials and advanced designs. As a result, they can be more expensive than a standard wheelchair. In some cases, they may not be covered by insurance either, as their design features may not be seen as necessary or cost effective by providers.

If you are dependent on a motorized wheelchair or have no need for a highly mobile, highly advanced standard wheelchair, then a non-powered three-wheeled chair likely isn’t for you. However, if you are an outdoor enthusiast or athlete, or simply want a maneuverable and lightweight standard chair, you may find that a three-wheeled chair (with its pivoting wheel in the back) provides everything you’re seeking.

Choose the Chair That’s Right for You

An advanced three-wheeled wheelchair can prove to be incredibly liberating – it can provide increased mobility and greater access to areas that would have previously been off limits. But you should only buy a wheelchair that meets your exact needs, as you will use it every day. And that should be your first and perhaps only consideration.