Some tricycles, such as cycle rickshaws (for passenger transport) and freight trikes, are used for commercial purposes, especially in the developing world, particularly Africa and Asia.

Tricycles are favoured by children, the disabled, and senior adults for their apparent stability versus a bicycle; however a conventional trike may exhibit poor dynamic lateral stability, and the rider should exercise appropriate operating caution when cornering (e.g., with regard to speed, rate of turn, slope of surface) and operating technique (e.g., leaning the body 'into' the turn) to avoid tipping the trike over.

A three-wheeled wheelchair was built in 1655 or 1680 by a disabled German man, Stephan Farffler, who wanted to be able to maintain his mobility.

In September, 1903 Edmund Payne, the popular comedian, started an attempt to beat the twenty-four hours' unpaced Tricycle record.

At 100 miles Payne was inside his schedule time, but shortly afterwards had to desist at Wisbech, having encountered five hours of incessant rain.

They participate in day rides, tours, time trials, and a criterium (massed start racing) series.

Some delta trikes can be stored upright by lifting the front wheel and resting the top of the seat on the ground.

The tight turning radius is useful if riding on trails with offset barriers, or navigating around closely placed obstacles.

Even with the higher seat a delta trike can be quite stable provided most of the weight (including the rider) is shifted back towards the rear wheels.

[15][16] The Hase Kettwiesel delta trike has an 18 in (460 mm) high seat that is placed to put most of the weight onto the cambered rear wheels making it more stable.

Steering is either through a single handlebar linked with tie rods to the front wheels' stub axle assemblies (indirect) or with two handlebars (rather, two half-handlebars) each bolted to a steerer tube, usually through a bicycle-type headset and connected to a stub axle assembly (direct).

The tadpole trike is often used by middle-aged or retiree-age former bicyclists who are tired of the associated pains from normal upright bikes.

In the 1990s and first decade of the 21st century, rickshaws became increasingly popular in big cities in Britain, Europe and the United States, where they provide urban transportation, novelty rides, and serve as advertising media.

The trike pictured is called the SUV (Sensible Utility Vehicle) and is produced by the company Organic Engines, which operates in Florida in the United States.

It is a front wheel drive tricycle, articulated behind the driver seat, and has hydraulic double disc brakes and internal hub gears.

These trikes include a cargo area consisting of a steel tube carrier, an open or enclosed box, a flat platform, or a large, heavy-duty wire basket.

The frame and drivetrain must be constructed to handle loads several times that of an ordinary bicycle; as such, extra low gears may be added.

Common uses include:[20] A tricycle is a typical toy for children between the ages of eighteen months and five years before a balance bike.

[better source needed][25] Tricycles have been constructed that tilt in the direction of a turn, as a bicycle does, to avoid rolling over without a wide axle track.

[26] The advantages of a trike conversion set include lower cost compared with new hand built tricycles and the freedom to choose almost any donor bicycle frame.

Conversion sets can give the would-be serious tricyclist a taste of triking before making the final decision to purchase a complete tricycle.

Conversion sets can also supplied ready to be brazed onto a lightweight, steel bicycle frame to form a complete trike.

[27] Adults may find upright tricycles difficult to ride because of familiarity with the counter-steering required to balance a bicycle.

Recumbent trikes are less affected by camber and, depending on track width and riding position, capable of very fast cornering.

Tadpoles generally use a bicycle's rear wheel drive and for that reason are usually lighter, cheaper and easier to replace and repair.

Tadpole trikes tend also to use Ackermann steering geometry, perhaps with both front brakes operated by the stronger hand.