"One of the best accessories to expand the uses of your recumbent cycle is a B.O.B. Trailer with waterproof Dri Sak. I have taken a trike outfitted with a B.O.B. trailer to a local grocery store several times to get some groceries and it worked perfectly! There was plenty of storage room with the B.O.B. trailer and Dri Sak for several bags of groceries. Not only did I enjoy the sunshine while on my trip, but I saved gas money by using a recumbent trike with trailer instead of my car. This is a wonderful option for individuals looking increase their daily activity level and/or save money on gas.
It is interesting to note that according to the Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey (see http://nhts.ornl.gov/ for more details), "25 percent of all trips Americans make are within a mile of the home, 40 percent of all trips are within two miles of the home, and 50 percent of the working population commutes five miles or less to work.” However, this survey has also shown that “more than 82% of trips of a total of five miles or less are made by a personal motor vehicle." For those who are environmentally minded and/or economically minded; a recumbent cycle with a B.O.B. trailer is a great alternative to a car for trips around town or to and from work.
Now, with this in mind, let’s say we were to have an individual make one round trip with an average of five miles each day using a recumbent cycle instead of their car. Let’s also say that this individual’s car got 20 miles/gallon in town. In the course of a year and with an average cost of $2.60/gallon gas, this same individual would save about $240 dollars each year. Now, let’s say that instead of a car this same individual owns a truck/SUV that gets 16 miles/gallon in town. If this individual were also to make just one round trip of 5 miles a day using a recumbent cycle with a trailer instead of a truck/SUV, and with the same average cost of gas at $2.60/gallon, instead of saving $240 a year this individual would save about $300 per year.
Aside from the rising costs of gas, many Americans are also finding that the costs of health care are increasing as well. With this in mind more and more people are exploring preventative measures for personal health. Heart disease, Diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, and weight management are some of the most common health concerns of the American public. By using a recumbent cycle with a trailer as a regular alternative to an automobile for shorter trips individuals can make a significant impact in their preventative health care regimen. Increased physical activity will lower one’s chances of developing heart disease, Type II Diabetes, and stroke. Regular physical exercise will also decrease one’s blood pressure and make weight management easier. These, along with increased energy, better rest at night, better stress management, and increased self esteem can all be the result of using a recumbent cycle with a trailer as a way of developing a more active life style.
In addition to the costs saved on gas, for the more adventurous in heart a recumbent and trailer is an ideal Touring/Adventure set up. High visibility with the pole lights and feather flag, motorists and passers-by can’t help see your sweet rig. Towing the B.O.B trailer with a recumbent one can haul camping gear, climbing gear, or picnic/BBQ supplies. Have a four-legged friend you wish you could bring along for the ride? The B.O.B’s Dri Sac is easily removable to reveal a platform that a small to midsized dog can easily sit on. With a little creativity, an endless list of uses is possible with the B.O.B. trailer.
So there you have it. Economics, personal health, the environment, adventure, touring, commuting all have valid reasons for using a recumbent cycle with a trailer. Come on down to our shop and test out a trailer set up today!"
- Hyrum
