Business - Utah Trikes

SALE SOARING FOR PAYSON TRIKES DEALERSHIP

Between an new online marketing push and the COVID-19 pandemic that had people searching for a safe outdoor activity, Utah Trikes in Payson has experienced a phenomenal increase in sales, with about 90 percent of its purchasers outside Utah.

“From previous years, I would say our sales were up about 200 percent in some months” during 2020, said Kai Urmston, general manager of Utah Trikes.

Utah Trikes is a dealer in recumbent tricycles, a mode of transportation where the rider sits in a chair rather than in a small seat, and the pedals are positioned in front instead of under the rider. It provides a more comfortable experience, especially for those in an older age demographic that find riding a bicycle too difficult or painful.

“There’s a lot of people now that are making the switch from two-wheeled bicycles to trikes,” Urmston said.

The business was created in the early 2000s in Spanish Fork, then moved to its current Payson location. While its not the only trike dealer in the country, it is the largest.

Utah Trikes obtains the trikes it sells from manufacturers in Florida, the United Kingdom, Germany and the Czech Republic, then assembles them in its facility at 40 S. Main, Payson. What sets them apart from other trike dealers, however, is their customization process. Want a special feature or accessory added to your trike? Want a bigger wheel on the back or a different gearing mechanism? Want it powder coated in a color not offered by the manufacturer? Utah Trikes can do it, and it has even invented some of its own custom accessories. “We make it to order,” Urmston said.

Over the years, at customers’ request, the business has taken trikes and made them into quads, which are trikes with four wheels. Recently, however, it began manufacturing its own quads. “These newer quads that we’ve started selling … they’re one of a kind, something that we designed,” Urmston said.

These quads include versions that are partially electric and fully electric. Some people choose the partially electric quad because they want to get exercise but also want assistance going uphill. The fully electric quads have a thumb throttle and are ADA-compliant. “Anyone with a handicap can take them pretty much anywhere,” Urmston said.

Late last year, Utah Trikes decided to begin an online marketing campaign to get the word out about the business. They began producing videos for the Utah Trikes YouTube channel that introduced customers to their products, answered questions about recumbent trikes and showcased the various features available.

“The idea is to help people get familiar with recumbent trikes and inform them of what all their options are,” Urmston said. “We wanted to be entertaining but informative.”

Business started picking up and has never slowed down. Urmston attributes this to the marketing campaign and people looking for something to do after COVID-19 shutdowns. Many customers started out looking for bicycles, realized bike shops were sold out and then found Utah Trikes, she said.

“It’s exciting because it’s kind of an untapped market,” Urmston said. “It’s another option.”

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