Gravity + ?

[timidtom]

J had a slight accident today, no blood shed but a little paint grazed. She was riding her eTrike (one wheel at the front) at low speed and turned right off the road into the Co-op car park. She fell off to the left. Why?
How can this be avoided in future (she still loves the trike and is simply puzzled by the event)? Ideas, advice, and explanations welcomed!
Many thanks,
Tom

 

[trex]

Tom, a lot of trikes don't have a differential on the rear axle. When J turns, the outside wheel should go faster than the inside to keep the trike horizontal, without the differential, one wheel has to come off the ground (usually the inside one), the trike tilts and possibly keels over (usually over to the outside wheel).
If you can't get a differential fitted, you have to limit the trike's speed to under 12mph to reduce the chance that the trike keels over.

Here is a rear axle with differential:

 

[Yamdude]

Trikes have never been the most stable of vehicles. Forward momentum and centrifugal force on corners will tip them over when you hit a certain speed. They will tip over easier the faster you go.
Trikes with the single wheel at the rear are far more stable.

 

[anotherkiwi]

Better by design:
- they are un-powered wheels so they turn at different speeds
- if you go too fast in many situations the single rear wheel will lose grip and slide
- you are braking with two wheels so it stops quicker
-...

A classic trike with single wheel on the front needs to have a very long wheelbase and will thus have a larger turning circle which will encourage the user to slow down for corners...