This article is part of a dedicated interview series with technology partners of the InclusiveSpaces project, highlighting innovative tools, technologies, and solutions aimed at improving accessibility and fostering inclusive mobility in public spaces. The series explores how practical, user-centred innovations are helping remove mobility barriers, promote independence, and create more inclusive environments for everyone.
In this edition, Mark Harrison, Managing Director and Founder of TripleTread, shares insights into the development of TripleTread, an innovative tricycle designed to provide a more stable, accessible, and inclusive cycling experience for people with mobility challenges. The interview explores the inspiration behind the technology, its key design features, including a low step-through frame, patented steering technology, and pedal-assist support, and how user feedback has shaped its evolution. Mark also discusses the role of the InclusiveSpaces pilot demonstrations in assessing the tricycle’s real-world impact and how solutions like TripleTread can contribute to more accessible, independent, and inclusive mobility.
Introduction to the technology
Could you briefly introduce your tool and explain the need it was designed to address?
TripleTread was designed to meet the need for more choice for people requiring a tricycle. It has a unique style that should appeal to both young and elderly people.
How does iSEATRAC support independence and accessibility for people with mobility challenges in public spaces?
TripleTread is designed to be stable with three points on the ground and a low step-through frame for people with balance issues to ride independently. It has an upright style so is more visible in traffic. The rider can feel included in riding alongside their peers, friends and family rather than in a recumbent low tricycle or a standard tricycle that has to come to a near stop at a bend in the road or it may tip. TripleTread has an advantage over these types of tricycles that are on the market at the moment due to it patented steering technology that improves stability when cornering. It also has a pedal-assist motor to aid accessibility.
How did user feedback influence the design of the iSEATRAC?
The feedback from testing and collaboration with European cycle community has influenced the frame geometry to be changed and support a European rider style preference as opposed to the UK racing style. We then also made changes to the Ackerman steering to support the new frame design. Gender responsive feedback and training within the InclusiveSpaces project highlighted the need for a smaller frame option to be provided for further testing in the demonstration phase making them more inclusive.
Pilot site testing
TripleTread has been demonstrated in several InclusiveSpaces pilot locations. What criteria were considered when selecting these sites?
One of the main criteria was selecting pilot sites with connections to organisations with people with various disabilities.
Installation and set up
Can you describe the set up process of TripleTread from a technical and operational standpoint?
The TripleTread trike is similar in appearance and shares many of the same components as a standard bicycle. As with a bicycle; checks should be made on tyres which must be inflated correctly and brakes tested.
Demonstration Phase
What are the key elements you plan to showcase during TripleTread’s demonstrations across the pilot locations?
The introduction of a new style of tricycle to the target audience and finding out how it is received by them.
How will the demonstration phase help you assess the trike’s real-world effectiveness in supporting people with mobility challenges?
The environment will allow people the opportunity to ride the trike and decide.
Future outlook
How do you envision the technology contributing to the long-term improvement of accessibility in public spaces?
It will open more freedom of choice for people when purchasing a tricycle, thereforeincreasing the market for inclusive cycles, making cycling in public spaces more accessible to all.
How do you envision the technology contributing to the long-term improvement of accessibility in public spaces?
Greater access to the European cycle community has enabled European expertise to be involved in the design and manufacturing process. Collaborative working with InclusiveSpaces partners has been successful in supporting TripleTread to be tested. Feedback from a broader European demographic has meant positive changes to the inclusive design.