Would this be a good vehicle for use in an urban environment and occasionally highways?

Dude, do not get a trike you WILL get made fun of. Old men and middle age women ride those things wait 2 more years and get a real motorcycle or just get a truck or car now. Im suprised your mom thinks motorcycles are unsafe, yet she will let you get a trike? Honestly the most dangerous part of motorcycling is not the bike, its not you (most of the time) its the people in cars, and if a car hits your motorcycle, your going down. A trike is the same way. Tell her youll start off small (ninja 250r, honda rebel, etc... and these bikes can go on the highway to) Get a helmet, gloves a riding jacket, and maybe even riding shoes. Just trust me, i work at a cycle shop that sells cruisers, dual sport, sport, supersport, mopeds and trikes and me and the guys always joke about trikes. But if you insist on getting a trike do not get this one. so far the only good trike on the market is the can am spyder.

You got to be kidding. Hold up. Show this answer to your mom.

** HEY! MOM! Listen to older and wiser -- the Trike is FAR LESS SAFE than a motorcycle. ** The kid will be in trouble no matter what. He will be taking more risks if he thinks his in a nice "safe" car. He will be less to crash a motorcycle when he knows he will be hurt. E-Mail. Call me!

Not to mention that that trike is Cheap Chinese Crap -- no known manufacturer, no dealer, no dealer service/parts shop. What are you going to do when it breaks, blow off another $4K?

A motorcycle is an *excelent* vehicle in an urban environment. A 250cc class Japanese motorcycle can be found used -- sporty, cruiser, or dual-sport.