Move Over SUVs: Could this striking trike from Northern Light Motors replace your car?

It’s hard to miss the Northern Light Motors trike. Sleek, cocoon-like and painted in traffic-stopping cherry red or sky blue, this British-built machine looks like something straight out of a retro-futurist daydream. But behind the head-turning design is a serious question: In a world of congested streets, rising emissions and car bloat, could something this small, charming and cleverly designed offer a rational alternative for urbanites?

Ultra-light vehicles offer a rational alternative in irrational times. Let’s be honest: most city driving makes no sense. In London, for instance, the average car spends over 95% of its time parked, and when it is moving at peak times, it averages less than 9mph. In London, around six in ten car driver trips are made alone, without any passengers. A third of these car trips are shorter than 2km.

And yet we still use machines that weigh a tonne or more to carry one person and a sandwich.

In that context, vehicles like the Northern Light trike aren’t niche – they’re logical. They take up less space, use less energy, and look good doing it.

More than just a pretty face

First impressions matter. And when it comes to transport, we often make choices with our hearts, not our heads. In Britain, where a car often doubles as a personal billboard – a rolling, purring projection of status, aspiration and identity – ditching the motor for a bike or trike is still viewed as something of a downgrade by many. But what if the alternative was not just practical, but beautiful? The Northern Light Motors trike isn’t trying to look like a car-lite – it’s a reimagining of what personal transport could be. It’s enclosed enough to keep the weather out and striking enough to make people stop mid-flat white and say, what is that?

In a market where desirability often trumps practicality, this is a strong asset.

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Much has been said about the cultural significance of the car in Britain. It’s not just a vehicle; for many, it’s a lifestyle, a status symbol, perhaps even a statement of political identity. That’s why policies aimed at reducing car use – from LTNs to 15-minute neighbourhoods – often meet with such fierce resistance. It’s not just about transport. It’s about what the car means. But the Northern Light trike presents a tantalising possibility: Could we rewire our ideas about status and style? Could this be the vehicle that wrestles car keys from the hands of fashion-conscious urbanites?

Unfortunately the answer may be a long way off without measures to curtail the overuse of conventional cars in urban areas.

Designed for cities, built for people

The trike comes in three configurations, each with its own personality:

The 428 (Blue) – A pedal-only option, lightweight and straightforward, for those who prefer their transport old-school but weatherproof.

The 557 (Green) – An e-assist version with a 250–750W motor and a 50-mile range. It also has a pop-off roof and LED lighting – perfect for late-night commutes or weekend market dashes.

The 630 (Red) – The top-spec version is a fully fledged EV - it's pedal free and comes with a 1.5kW motor and upgraded brakes.

Cycle Rescue is free with ETA bicycle insurance

If you suffer a breakdown (including punctures, or even a flat e-bike battery) while out cycling, our 24-hour Cycle Rescue team is on hand to arrange transport for you and your bicycle to a safe location. The service is included for free with ETA cycle insurance, along with:

• Theft, accidental damage & vandalism
• E-bike battery theft cover
• Cycle Rescue
• No devaluation of your bike over time
• £2m third party PLUS £20,000 personal accident cover
• Shed and garage storage
• Low standard excess of 5% (£50 minimum)
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The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.

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