The Buddy Bike - The Alternative Inline Tandem Bicycle

[TheBuddyBike]

Another place to try the Buddy Bike (and other recumbents, tandems & alternative bikes) will be at Recumbent Cycle-Con in Pomona, CA, Oct. 21-23, 2011 where I am organizing an Adaptive Cycling Roundtable. The roundtable will bring together leaders in the adaptive cycling community to discuss the present & future of cycling for all types of special needs riders. Get more info and learn about the panel participants at buddybike(dot)com/AdaptiveCycl­ingRoundtable(dot)html.

[TheBuddyBike]

Hi davros1973. The Buddy Bike has less leg room than a typical tandem so long distance riding can get uncomfortable; but the peace of mind it offers to families with kids with cognitive disabilities is immeasurable. If you would like to try the Buddy Bike for yourself, there are a few dealers with demos and some rental locations which you can find at our Dealers web page in our web site buddybike (dot) com. We also offer a 1 hour free rental coupon. Your other comments are brilliant! Thank you!

[davros1973]

Came across this randomly while learning more about tandems. My partner and I are considering tandem riding (I love cycling and am perfectly capable of visiting my parents 125-miles away by bike [a day's ride] despite being fat and unfit). I think it's fantastic! I think Tricyklist has some valid points - and if I were financially able to get this I wouldn't look to use it for touring or much ascending - but for parent/child and more intimate riding with one's partner ... wow ... great idea!

[davros1973]

nb - I haven't visited Trickylist's channel - but I always wonder, having Asperger's myself - but being very socially aware in an intellectual/philosophical sense, whether this person might have a deficit in social awareness/understanding. The vitriolic tone of their contribution could actually be an impassioned plea borne out of concern, warped by poor communication skills. And the core function of the BUDDY-bike might be lost on them. Considering the bike's use for special-needs - ironic :)

[TheBuddyBike]

Thanks BriMin1 & ejfibich for your comments and support! I was beginning to think that the only people on YouTube were people with way too much time on their hands that have nothing better to do than complain. But now I see that is not so. Thank you. The Buddy Bike speaks for itself to the people who can benefit from it and you really get it!

[Tricyklist]

The video clearly shows that Buddy Bike doesn't understand the dangers of knee misalignment during repetitive exercise. The tandem has a long and illustrious history. Now "brought to its knees" with one very broken design. "If it ain't broke. Don't mend it!" What about the raised risk to the front rider of sitting so close to the handlebars in a frontal impact? With the entire mass of the (larger) rear rider flung forward to crush the front rider's chest against the handlebars! Enjoy!

[SoulRandyG]

@Tricyklist you are a dick

[Tricyklist]

@SoulRandyG Are you spamming this discussion in a desperate bid to pull in viewers to your music channel? Or do you own an example of this contraption? Are you even a cyclist of any kind at all? Then why comment on a subject about which you have no clue?

[kajuin]

CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE VIDEO !! I THINK THIS BIKE IS TOTALLY SHURE FOR THE KIDS, TODAY I USE EVERYDAY A TANDEM BIKE , AND ITS TO HEAVY FOR ME ITS STEEL MADE, UNFORTUNATELLY IN MY COUNTRY I NEVER SEE ANY PLACE TO FIND THIS NICE BUDDY BIKE, I HOPE SOME DAY CAN SEE THIS REAL ,!!! ITS A WONDERFULL IDEA!!,

[Tricyklist]

To err once might be seen as careless. To make the same mistake twice seems deliberately bloody-minded. The design of the Buddy Bike is badly flawed for ergonomic reasons. It does not offer "better control" as a result of being made foolishly short. A USP which uniquely offers potential long term knee injury seems completely at odds with its primary purpose. There are other tandems on the market which offer perfectly normal riding positions to "mismatched" or handicapped riders.

[ejfibich]

@Tricyklist It would be great if you could keep your comments to yourself and stop wasting people's time with your view as it is clear you don't understand what the buddy bike does. You should reread brimin1 comment's. Comments that mean the most and are relevant are for those that understand and have used the product. Clearly you haven't or even understand the concept.

[molesadrian]

i think this bike has a price of two bikes :|...you would better buy 2 bikes than one of these.I think there is allot more fun than this...bike

[Tricyklist]

Is this a serious design or a comedy spoof? The rear rider is forced to point their knees outwards to clear the intimate and totally pointless close positioning of of the front rider! Cut the gravel voiced advertising hype. Design something which wont injure the rear rider's knees. Similar tandems have been made for over 100 years but you didn't do your homework. The only "improvement" you offer is an income for ambulance chasers processing knee injury claims!

[TheBuddyBike]

There are nearly 400 families around the world who have nice things to say about the positive effect the Buddy Bike has on their lives. But thank you for your constructive criticism.

[BriMin1]

@Tricyklist I'm the father of two blind children. We bought a Buddy Bike several years ago. We loved it so much that we soon purchased a second one. I've always been an avid rider, and am so glad I can now share this activity with my entire family.

Yes, the video is cheese. Yes, the riders are close -- but the alternative would be a longer bike that is harder to control. I assume you have not tried riding this bike with your child. Save your scorn for something else.

[TheBuddyBike]

@BriMin1 Thank you. The comments of our customers are better than anything I can say. People that don't have special needs family members may not get the concept of the Buddy Bike but then again, maybe they don't get or appreciate a lot of things.

[littlebitofinsanity]

i think you should space the seats further apart like 1:48 guy was uncomfortable close to girl look innoproperiate but good idea

[TheBuddyBike]

Thank you for your suggestion. Years of effort have gone into the development of the Buddy Bike. The intimacy of the bike is what makes it special. Couples can enjoy the ride while both being able to enjoy the view & being able to communicate easily. And for special needs kids having the child close is a safety feature that parents really appreciate. We have included the max rear rider leg room on our Sport model. Buddy Bike is 20" shorter than typical tandem making it easier to transport.

[TheBuddyBike]

Wow! I hope he was ok! And it's not too late to get a Buddy Bike. 2 adults can ride. If you send me your city and state I can let you know if there is one nearby to try. shelley@buddybike(dot)com

[hudsonfab253]

MY 12yr old cousin has down syndrom as well i let him take off on my harley and he ended face first in a ditch i wish i would have just got him a buddy bike.

[fenyx2709]

just wondering i have a 7 year old daughter who has balance promblems and i was wondering where to get a buddy bike and how much they are if you know where i can get more information

[Ma3Hu1]

lol the little girl on 00:39 "I LOVE D' BUDDY BIKE!"

[TheBuddyBike]

My younger brother Jesse, featured in this video, is 14 years old now. In 2003, my dad purchased the "Buddy Bike" which at the time was called the "Love Bike". My brother, whose severe autism prevented him from riding alone, fell in love with this uniquely structured tandem bike. Every weekend, he and my dad ride on an 18 mile bike ride. On his own, Jesse brought our family together through cycling. This bike is extremely beneficial for special needs families, and it has already changed mine.

[golcynski]

This bike is a cool Idea. My son also has Autism he's uninterested in riding a bike right now, we're hoping that will change, maybe we should get the Buddy Bike.

Have you thought about BioMedical interventions for children with Autism.

go to Generationrescue(dot)com

[TheBuddyBike]

Thank you for that information! I wasn't aware of that web site. What city and state are you in? Maybe there is a Buddy Bike nearby that you can try? Visit buddybike(dot)com for contact info.