Trikke Tech CEO John Simpson Uses a Tribred for Work and Working Out

It only makes sense that he rides a Trikke to work. How else should John Simpson, CEO of Trikke Tech, arrive each day at their headquarters in Buellton, California?

His commuter vehicle of choice: the Trikke Tribred Pon-e, the battery powered version of Trikke's human powered toys. But the man who runs Trikke says the Tribred is much more than an electric scooter. Not only is it a workhorse in the workforce and a green mode of transportation, Simpson says the Pon-e is also a good way to work out.

TrikkeWorld Magazine talked to the three-wheeling exec in this exclusive interview to see what else he had to say about the Trikke Tribred Pon-e and the new 2011 models, just let out the stables:

TWM: How was the Pon-e was born?

JS: The Pon-e started as an electric conversion kit. All you had to do was clip it on the frame, add the throttle and attach it to the front tire. They were put on mostly T-8s.

TWM: What was your first experience with the Pon-e?

JS: Gildo [Beleski, inventor of Trikke Technology] takes the lead on demos, and as I was getting used to it, he told me to carve on the Pon-e. You get a similar feeling but you can fly and ride up hills easily. I started commuting to work on the Pon-e. I would strap my laptop to my back and go without jostling the laptop.

TWM: Is it true you work out on the Pon-e? How's that “working out” for you?

JS: A few weeks after I started commuting to work, I realized I was getting stronger. I used to surf a lot and after working out with the Pon-e, I noticed I was surfing really well. And that was after not surfing for a long time. There are similar movements to surfing with the Pon-e and Trikke. It’s also a good skiers workout.

TWM: Do you have any injuries that the Trikke helps with?

JS: Well, I have a herniated disc in my neck and I need upper body strength. I would work out at lunch and I was surprised how far I got. I use the Pon-e with the motorcycle tires and get a really good upper body workout, and lower body as well. I use the motor uphill and then fly back to the office.

TWM: What's the best part about the Trikke and the Tribred Pon-e?

JS: I like that I still need to use my brain, and body, even with the Pon-e. There's enough to keep the brain engaged. I never get bored.

TWM: The Pon-e's being touted as having many industrial applications? Who's using the Pon-e in the work force?

JS: Discover Card is using the Pon-e, I’m not sure how, but they have a huge campus to get around in. Abu Dhabi and Dubai use it for parking enforcement. The Pon-e is so much more efficient than a car, and it's an efficient people mover. The police around the airport in Poland use them. Sacramento is testing them at the airport. Virgin Airlines is also using them at airports.

TWM: That’s quite a list!

JS: Well, I’m a purist. I don’t need a motor, but when you compare it with a car and any similar option, the Pon-e just makes sense. It minimizes congestion. There are no parking problems. You can ride the Pon-e right up to your office, take it on the elevator and park it next to your desk. It is not for going more than 20 miles one-way though.

TWM: Can you talk a little bit about the differences in the sizes of the Pon-e models?

JS: Well, all that is on the website, the different sizes, power differences, the colors available. Just check out the website at Trikke Tech.