Quickie has released a front-mounted power assist that’s designed to provide increased range while still maintaining maneuverability and portability for traveling. 

The F35 features a 6.5-inch powered front wheel on a handlebar-controlled frame. The small wheel is designed for giving a boost on paved roads and sidewalks, and the compact setup means that you can leave the trike attached when you go into a restaurant or store, though the two-step attachment method is designed to make it quick to remove if you need extra maneuverability. “The F35 is a sleek, compact pull device ideal for independent users navigating urban terrain,” says Parker Landry-Murphy, associate product manager at Sunrise Medical. 

The whole setup weighs less than 20 lbs, with a transport weight of 16.5 lbs, once you remove the battery and sub-frame. It has a max speed of 9.3 mph, and a range of 9.3 miles, depending on terrain and your weight. You can adjust both max speed and acceleration with a handle-bar mounted control panel to make it safer in tight quarters or give yourself more speed if you need to go longer distances.  Folding handlebars and a frame that Quickie says is “roughly the length of a golf umbrella” make the F35 compact enough to fit in a car trunk or an airplane cabin, and its Li-Ion battery is approved for air travel. 

Learn more at Quickie’s website. The Empulse F35 retails for $2,995, though you can buy it for $2,605 at Spinlife. For an explainer about different styles of power assist and how they work, check out our gear guide.