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The Buddy Bike is a tandem bicycle (bicycle for two) that
places the smaller rider in the front seat while the rear
rider controls the steering. Its features make the Buddy
Bike especially beneficial for children with special needs.
The Buddy Bike offers adaptive outdoor recreation,
therapeutic activity and educational opportunities to those who may not otherwise be able
to experience the thrill of riding a bicycle.
The Buddy Bike can be empowering for
riders with special needs. Riding the same bike as the
parent, caregiver or teacher lessens the skills and the
number of steps necessary to successfully ride a bike. The
front rider has their own handlebars to feel like they are
steering without actually having control of the bike and
they can contribute to pedaling and propelling the bicycle
forward. The rider seated in the front has an unobstructed
view for maximum visual stimulation and tactile stimulation
in the form of wind on his/her face. The seats are close
enough for easy communication between the riders making it
easier to keep the person with a disability on task without
lagging behind, turning a different way or stopping on their
own. Many of our customers state that their children are
more alert and responsive after riding their Buddy Bike and
that they feel that they fit in by being able to do what
other kids do. A rider with a autism, down syndrome, sight
impairment or other disabilities is able to keep up with
family and friends when riding in a group so they are no
longer left behind.
Riders must be able to sit upright
on a standard bicycle seat to ride the Buddy Bike. Riders
with severe physical disabilities may not be able to ride
the Buddy Bike. Fold-out foot pegs are available for smaller
riders to keep their feet out of the way of moving pedals
(sold separately). The Buddy Bike can support up to 380
pounds; making it the ultimate family bike that can be
enjoyed by riders of all ages and abilities.
Children with Autism, Down Syndrome, Aspergers, Fragile
X, blind / sight impaired, hearing impaired and children with
cognitive disabilities. Recent studies are showing that
riding a bicycle can reduce tremors in patients with
Parkinson's Disease.
The Buddy Bike
as a transitional tool
The Buddy Bike
allows a stoker (front rider) with little or no cycling
skills to ride a bicycle. The Buddy Bike is an excellent
tool for safely teaching beginner cyclists of all ages and it has helped
several children transition to riding their own 2-wheel
bicycles.
One father had this to say about their experience
with the Buddy Bike:
"...never in our
wildest dreams did we imagine that Kyle would learn to ride
a two-wheeled bike. He's made us real proud and it just goes
to show that children with autism can learn just like
everyone else you just have to find the people that know how
to teach them..."
Kruno -
Ontario, Canada
Visit our
Funding Options page to find
Medical Provider or funding
source near you.
Need help deciding which
special needs bicycle is right for you?
Read the
Special Needs Cycling Guide published by
VeloVision Magazine - UK
How Cycling Helps Children with Autism
by Siegfried Mortkowitz, 4/11/19
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