Horizon Electric Trike: Mobility for Disabled and Seniors
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2014/03/22 - Updated: 2025/01/24
Publication Type: Product Release, Update
Category Topic: 3-Wheel Mobility Scooters - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: This article introduces the Horizon Electric Trike, an innovative mobility solution designed by Outrider USA to provide individuals with physical disabilities the freedom and adventure of bike riding. The Horizon's adaptable design accommodates a wide range of physical abilities, offering features such as foot or hand pedals, customizable hand controls, an actuated seat for easier access, and a low center of gravity for stability. With its powerful electric assist, the trike can reach speeds up to 30 mph and is suitable for various terrains. The article also highlights the company's Kickstarter campaign aimed at funding the initial production run and distributing units to adaptive centers and rehabilitation facilities across the United States - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
Outrider USA wants to bring the joy of bike riding and mobility to people with physical disabilities, with their new electric bike, Horizon. Founders Jesse Lee, Tom Ausherman, and Daniel Rhyne launched a 30 day Kickstarter campaign with a goal of raising $100k for the first production run.
"The driving mission behind the Horizon trike is simple: Just because an individual has a physical disability, doesn't mean they don't still crave the adventure and freedom of riding a bike," said Jesse Lee, Outrider Co-Founder. "When we combined that mission with our experience building the world's highest performing electric bikes, the Horizon was born - and the feedback on the prototypes has been incredibly positive."
Main Content
Horizon: Making Bike Riding More Accessible
The Horizon has been co-designed with quadriplegic adventurer Christopher J. Wenner Ph.D. who contacted Outrider just over a year ago with the dream of building an electric trike he could ride. Chris is now riding the first Horizon prototype and has already taken some incredible trips. "The feeling of riding this is exactly like I remember riding my mountain bike before my injury," said Chris Wenner.
Outrider USA believes that what makes people different is also what makes them amazing.
"So, when we designed the Horizon, we were striving for a cycle that could be ridden by as many people as possible," said Tom Ausherman of Outrider USA.
The Horizon adapts to the abilities of the rider - from riders with full leg and arm function to riders with limited function such as paraplegics and quadriplegics. It is possible to ride the Horizon:
- With full function of your arms and legs
- With left hand/arm only
- With right hand/arm only
- With upper body function but limited leg function
- With upper body function but no leg function
- With limited function in both your arms and legs (you'll need some amount of arm function for steering, braking and throttle.)
- With any combination of the above
Like No Other Electric Bike
Horizon is not your typical electric bike. Outrider describes the Horizon as "the bike for your super-hero alter ego." With its adaptive-use design and powerful electric assist technology, Horizon is ready for adventures on the street or the road less traveled.
Features of the Horizon
- Adaptable and customizable for a range of physical abilities
- Foot Pedals or Hand Pedals (with foot-tray)
- Standard hand controls or adapted use hand controls (tri-pin)
- Actuated seat (rising) to make getting in and out of the seat easier
- Fold down handlebars for side entry to the seat
- Three wheels and low center of gravity make balancing simple
Electric assist:
- Twist the throttle when you want a boost, pedal when you want, or do both together. It's totally up to you.
- Horizon is capable of tackling steep mountains and seriously long distances
- Speeds reach up to 30 mph.
- Forward and Reverse
Made in the USA:
- All Outrider trikes are hand assembled in Fletcher, North Carolina.
Kickstarter Campaign
The Outrider Kickstarter campaign runs from March 11 to April 9. As with all Kickstarter campaigns, it's all or nothing: They need to reach their goal of $100k by the deadline or they won't receive any of the money pledged. Outrider has designed and built the first prototype, but needs funding help with the tooling and production costs of the first production run. With crowd-funding support, they will be able to distribute a portion of this first production run to adaptive centers and rehab facilities across the United States and receive valuable feedback from beta testers.
"Bringing a product to production that is as technologically complex and as high performance as the Horizon trike is a big undertaking," said Tom Ausherman of Outrider USA. " We've been innovating in the electric bike industry for a combined 15 years, and we know without a doubt we have the team and expertise to bring the Horizon to the marketplace. We're making big waves, but we're still a small company so we need your help to bring it to production!"
Outrider USA is located in Fletcher, NC and has been producing high performance electric bikes and trikes since 2009. Formerly known as "FFR Trikes", Outrider's record setting first and second place finish at the 2012 Pike's Peak Hill-climb competition has sparked performance oriented innovation in the growing electric bike industry.
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.