Local pair strike gold with trike invention on Gold Coast

DESIGNED by two Gold Coast locals, these are no ordinary trikes. In fact, they’re wheely good fun. So what makes them so different?

TWO Gold Coast inventors have produced this novel electric trike from their shed and hope to have them in shops before Christmas.

Dal Seale, a former builder, and ex-electrician Chris O’Neill have come up with the DC-Tri, which can travel at speeds up to 25km/h and easily run from Broadbeach to The Spit and back — or up to 50km.

It is powered by its electric motor and rechargeable lithium battery.

Need to get your kayak out the water? Sorted. Photo: supplied

Mr Seale said he came up with the idea in May last year after seeing the popularity of mobility scooters in the US.

“Everyone has them over there but they aren’t as manoeuverable,” Mr Seale said.

Wheeeeeely good fun! Picture Glenn Hampson

Built for commuting and fun. Owners Dal Seale and Chris O'Neill with trikes at Broadwater Parklands. Picture Glenn Hampson

So he and Mr O’Neill got in the garage and started tinkering. They plan to sell the trikes for $2500 each and with low-traction sleeves over the rear tyres the trike becomes a drifting machine.

When it starts to sell Mr Seale said the company’s aim was to develop a wheelchair-friendly version that has space for a chair to roll on to a larger base.

You could use the DC-Tri for anything really. Photo: supplied

“We wanted to make it a fun experience and capable of doing all the basics from commuting to tricks, manoeuvres and drifting,” Mr O’Neil said.

“The Gold Coast is all about lifestyle — it’s perfect for it.

“A key part of the development was to create something for all ages but something cool enough that young people would want to ride it.”

Just out and about doing a spot o’ fishing with my trike. Photo: supplied

Mr O’Neill said an online crowd-funding campaign helped start production and they were now finalising a deal with a large distributor to have the trikes in stores well before Christmas.

“We have established outstanding relationships and partnerships with some of the world’s leading manufacturers and we’re now ready to start large-scale production,” he said.