They were banned. Removed from North American society, gone the way of the lawn darts and street meth, the dangerous 3 wheelers were sent to burn in hell to keep the public safe. I can't say that Meth is something to try, but I can say that not everyone agrees with this idealism.
Pictured above is what most North Americans think of when you mention a '3 Wheeler'. It's very similar to a personal favorite of mine, but it's note quite as similar in usage.
The Honda Gyro is an amazing 3 Wheeler and is extremely popular in Japan. It's an extremely useful tool found whizzing in great numbers through the back streets of Japan on a daily basis. Much like a work truck they are most often found in white to be used a generic transport in moving goods from one location to another. Pictured above is the most common Honda Gyro 'UP' version with a flat deck, whether transporting engine blocks, or chunks of giant Tuna fish, they can haul it all. Another popular work configuration is seen below:
This version of the Gyro UP features a cold storage box for moving temperature controlled goods quickly. Often this is how you'll receive your Pizza/food delivery!!! But like anything the Japanese touch they seem to add as much clean style to it as they can.
Whether in the form of a static show vehicle. This example is a Honda Zoomer (Ruckus) Gyro mash up. Or...
..adding style in the daily usage of their utility vehicle!
The next on our list is YOUR most favorite three wheeler.
A long time popular car from the UK, its recent resurgence from Top Gear has brought it back into the light. It remains a massively popular vehicle in the UK to this day. Although suffering from the same roll over rate at the fatal American ban on 3 wheel ATV's, the Robin is a fully enclosed body, giving passengers an entirely enjoyable roll over experience, rather than that of one of great injury. It's best watched as a form of motorsport!
So are all 3 wheelers banned from the States? Not at all. Heck there is even an American Equivalent to the UK's Robin.
The Cushman Truckster is what you see above you. A three wheel vehicle sold in droves in the US. Most famously known for it's Police and Traffic enforcement use in big Cities. However, few realize that Cushman is actually one of the Oldest motorvehicle companies in the world, with it's Origins beginning in 1903! Read more here.
Although the newer Trucksters are more well known, especially for their boxy utilitarian shape, the older ones, like above, are much more similarily shaped to that famous 3 Wheeler: The Tuk Tuk! As pictured below:
Tuk Tuk's are absolutely littered across south Asia and rightfully so. A natural progression, evolution if you will, from the low displacement motorcycles also found transporting millions of people daily, adding that third wheel allows to carry a greater load a much further distance. The Tuk Tuk is a great example of change through need and function. On a side note, the popularity of 3 wheelers is a great sign of transportation advancement of culture. The pattern seems to repeat as such: Push Bicycle -> Pedal Bicycle -> Motorized bicycle -> motorized 3 wheeler -> Motorized 4 wheeler. However, the Tuk Tuk looks quite like another popular 3 wheeler, perhaps Europe had a similar vehicle?
The Piaggio Ape (pronounced Ah-pé), is Italy's stylish and affordable addition to the Utilitarian line of 3 wheel stuff movers. The ape, much like all the others has and is still in use as an obvious and simple form of transportation. It too has a common racing league.
Point? 3 Wheelers are Dope. They are all over the globe and cheap to buy! Grab one!
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