Most of us are used to cycling. They are usually our main form of cycling from the time we are 3 years old. So we've gotten used to the way bikes ride. We learned to pick up speed to keep our balance, put our foot down when we stopped, and lean the bike when we turned. These things become so natural to us that we forget that we are doing them. Sometimes when people try a three wheel cargo motorcycle for the first time, they forget that it handles in a completely different way. This can be very unsettling for an unsuspecting rider.
Cargo tricycles are of course different from bicycles, and each has its own advantages. I usually explain the difference this way.
Here are some pros and cons of each method:
Two Wheeler Advantage
Ability to ride faster than a trike
Not affected by road camber
lean into the corner
Shortcoming
Carries less load by volume but the same by weight
Can't go up hills slowly like a trike (because speed needs to be maintained to maintain balance)
Hard to park/uphill/cruise slowly along sidewalks.
Harder U-turns (bigger turns)
Cargo Tricycle Advantage
Load capacity is much greater than that of a two-wheeler
Easy to park/uphill/cruise slowly in heavy traffic areas/slowly up hills (no need for speed to maintain balance, just hit the brakes and take a break)
Versatility and functionality
Ability to turn manually (raise seat and swing around) in tight spaces, even when loaded
Shortcoming
can't be as fast as a two wheeler
Cambers and turns take some getting used to
Inability to pass through gaps in traffic and two-wheelers
Generally we recommend that if you want to ride long distances or go fast, then two-wheelers are the first choice. Otherwise you can't compare the practicality and ease of use of tricycles.