Ridewave Koala Review: The Compact Electric Trike for Shorter Riders and Small Spaces

If you've been told "a trike will be too big and too heavy for you", the Ridewave Koala is the answer to that. It's the smallest trike in the Ridewave range, and it's the one we suggest for shorter riders, small sheds, and anyone who found a full-size trike intimidating.

Why size matters more than people think

A lot of trikes are sold to people who then never ride them, and the reason is usually physical: the seat was too high to get both feet down, the thing was too long to turn around in the driveway, or it was too heavy to wheel out of the garage. The Koala fixes those three things.

The seat adjusts between 69 and 79cm, which is the lowest in the range, so riders around 152cm and up can sit with their feet flat. The 16-inch wheels keep the whole trike short and easy to turn in tight spaces. And at 37kg with the battery (34kg without), it's the lightest trike we sell, so it's manageable to move around a carport or lift into a vehicle with help.

Riding it

Despite the small wheels, it rides like a proper trike. The 3-inch-wide puncture-resistant tyres and a suspension fork take the edge off footpath joins and gravel paths, and a suspension seat post softens the rest. The wide comfort seat has an adjustable backrest.

A 65Nm rear hub motor with pedal assist flattens hills, and the half-twist throttle with start assist gets you moving from a standstill at walking pace without needing a strong push on the pedals. The Koala also has walk mode and powered reverse: you can walk beside it while it drives itself at walking pace, and you can back it out of a tight spot under power rather than dragging it.

Hydraulic disc brakes on all three wheels with a parking brake make stopping easy on the hands, and it stays put when parked on a slope while you unload the basket. The rear differential keeps corners smooth, and the lights, indicators, brake light and horn are wired to the main battery, so there's nothing separate to charge.

Storage and transport

Frame, stem and handlebar all fold, bringing it down to roughly 95 x 77 x 65cm. That fits a shed corner, a carport, or the back of most SUVs and wagons. The battery is removable and lockable.

Who it suits

• Shorter riders (from about 152cm) who need to get both feet flat on the ground
• Riders with limited storage: units, small sheds, carports
• Anyone who needs a trike that's light enough to manage alone
• Riders with balance issues who still want an upright, sociable riding position
• Rider capacity 150kg

If the rider is taller, or wants more room and bigger wheels for longer rides, the Wallaby is the next step up.

For OTs, physios, support coordinators and support workers

The Koala is a good fit for participants whose goals are local independence (shops, appointments, a lap of the park) and where a full-size trike has been ruled out on height, weight or storage grounds. Walk mode and powered reverse are worth noting in an assessment: they take the awkward manoeuvring out of daily use. We can bring one to the participant's home, do a joint visit with you, and provide a quote and supporting documentation for the plan.

We're not an NDIS-registered provider, so we work best with self-managed and plan-managed participants. Agency-managed? Get in touch anyway.

👉 Book an at-home NDIS test ride
👉 How we work with NDIS participants and support teams

Key specs

Full specifications, colours and current pricing: Ridewave Koala Folding Electric Trike.

Try it

Every Koala is built, tuned and test-ridden in our Alphington workshop before it leaves, with the first follow-up service included and warranty and parts handled here. Delivery is available around Melbourne, and freight to the door Australia-wide.

📍 2 Wingrove Street, Alphington
📞 (03) 8542 9500
📧 info@graceandpace.com.au

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