Vectors of Development of Mountain Tricycles

The paper introduces and discusses the trends identified in terms of the development of the design of mountain tricycles and quadricycles along with selected services related to their operation. There is a considerable number of manufacturers of mountain tricycles (MTC) as well as their design variants currently observed in the market. In functional terms, they differ considerably and for various reasons, including specifics of the disability of a vehicle user. Some design differences may also be attributed to the characteristics of specific trails on which a given cycle will be used. These differences can be technical and operational in nature, including the gear ratios applied, the possibility of transporting MTCs by public collective means, the capacity to carry luggage, as well as accessories, including special-purpose equipment, etc. It should be noted that there are MTC types available on the market which differ significantly in terms of their basic functionality. In the future, manufacturers may step beyond the target segment of the market by extending their product range to elderly people (65+ /60+), who are also affected by a number of limitations and physical barriers to the exploration of mountain. This paper represents an attempt to highlight the trends and vectors of development which can dominate this sphere in the coming years. It should also be added that the market in question is highly peculiar (and still niche), where nearly every cycle is customised on an individual basis. The authors have pointed out that the development of the market of solutions dedicated to people with disabilities is associated with the fact that manufacturers open up to other market segments at the same time.