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"I was so much more confident riding with my son because I could see him the whole time and could watch his feet to see if I needed to slow down for him to pedal." Father, Chicago, IL
The Buddy Bike is the alternative tandem bicycle where the child sits in front of the adult. The child’s seat is lower so the adult can easily see over his head. The pedals are synced and both riders have brakes. The Buddy Bike has a shorter wheelbase than traditional tandem bikes: 57.125” Buddy Bike Family, 58.125” for Buddy Bike Sport – whereas traditional tandems are 69.7”-72.2”. Combined weight limit 380lbs. Two Buddy Bikes are available: Buddy Bike Family is designed for novices and non-riders while the Buddy Bike Sport has 27 speeds and geared toward experienced riders. This bicycle can be used by an adult/child team or two adults. The company states this bicycle is for all ages. As long as a child can sit independently, he would be able to enjoy a ride, but younger children (2-6yrs) may not be able to reach the pedals. Fold-out foot pegs are sold separately to give smaller riders a place to rest their feet out of the pedal motion path. Caution: This bike can go faster than traditional bikes because 1) It has a lightweight aluminum frame; 2) Two people are pedaling; 3) The seating position provides less wind resistance than single bikes.
Approx. Price: Over $100 Box Age Range: # of Pieces: 1 Washability: Surface Wipe Storability: Bulky Directions: Extensive Play Locations: Outdoor Adjustability: Several Adjustable Features Levels of Play: Five or More Levels Batteries: None needed
Description
Both seats provide unobstructed views. This provides visual stimulation and tactile stimulation in the form of wind on their faces.
The Buddy Bike enables children who are visually impaired to feel the stimulation of riding a bike with the security of the caregiver to see for them.
The Buddy Bike enables people who have hearing impairments to ride safely without the risk of not hearing sirens or others on the path.
Children and adults can ride the Buddy Bike, allowing adults with disabilities the opportunity to ride a bike and enjoy the movement. Maximum weight of both riders is 380 lbs.
Skills
Riders receive proprioceptive input as they pedal and ride the Buddy Bike. This input is known to improve attention and focus on cognitive tasks presented after.
Full body sensory awareness can take place as people feel the movement of their own bodies and joints, feel their bodies in space, feel the rubber of the grips and the wind in their face.
Play Ideas
Adaptation Ideas
Description
The person with the disability is seated in the front, allowing for easier communication than traditional tandem bikes.
Both seats provide unobstructed views. This provides visual stimulation and tactile stimulation in the form of wind on their faces.
Riding the same bike as the caregiver keeps the person with a disability on task. He is not able to lag behind, turn a different way or stop on his own.
A rider with a disability is better able to keep up with the rest of his friends when riding in a group.
Children and adults can ride the Buddy Bike, allowing adults with disabilities the opportunity to ride a bike and enjoy the movement. Maximum weight of both riders is 380 lbs.
Skills
Riders receive proprioceptive input as they pedal and ride the Buddy Bike. This input is known to improve attention and focus on cognitive tasks presented after.
Verbal communication is encouraged and needed during each ride to coordinate pedaling, coasting, turning, braking and stopping. (If one rider coasts, the other rider must coast too. If one rider pedals, the other must pedal as well or place his feet on the foot pegs. Communication is necessary for all functions when riding the Buddy Bike)
The Buddy Bike provides physical activity which directly combats obesity.
Teamwork is encouraged as the two riders work together to use the Buddy Bike.
Play Ideas
Adaptation Ideas
Description
Riding the Buddy Bike can be empowering for a child/adult with special needs. The stoker (the person riding in front) has a hand brake, can steer, can pedal, and is in front. The caregiver would be the “captain” who rides in the back and has the same permissions as the stoker.
Because the person with a disability is riding the same bike as the caregiver, it lessens the skills and the number of steps necessary to successfully ride a bike.
Children and adults can ride the Buddy Bike, allowing adults with disabilities the opportunity to ride a bike and enjoy the movement. Maximum weight of both riders is 380 lbs.
Skills
Riders receive proprioceptive input as they pedal and ride the Buddy Bike. This input is known to improve attention and focus on cognitive tasks presented after.
The Buddy Bike provides physical activity which directly combats obesity.
Play Ideas
Adaptation Ideas
Description
Foldable foot pegs are attached to give people with disabilities a brake from pedaling, or to keep their legs out of the way of moving pedals if unable to pedal themselves.
Both seats provide unobstructed views. This provides visual stimulation and tactile stimulation in the form of wind on their faces.
A rider with a disability is better able to keep up with the rest of his friends when riding in a group.
The seat and handlebars each adjust in two ways for optimal positioning. The handlebars adjust for distance and angle while the seat adjusts for distance and height.
The Captain, who sits in the back, can maintain a steady, slow pace to help the Stoker, who sits in the front, keep his feet successfully on the pedals.
Children and adults can ride the Buddy Bike, allowing adults with disabilities the opportunity to ride a bike and enjoy the movement. Maximum weight of both riders is 380 lbs.
Skills
The Buddy Bike provides physical activity which directly combats obesity.
Balance and reciprocal leg movements are exercised as people ride the Buddy Bike.
Play Ideas
Adaptation Ideas
Connects/Assembles Securely
High Quality
Inviting Due to Uniqueness
Wide Age Range
Durable
Lightweight
Promotes Active Play
One-Piece Unit
Developmental processes promoted
Reaching/Arm Extension
Core Strengthening, Trunk Strength, Stability
Coordinated Movement
Proprioceptive Input
Physical Range of Motion
Action Concepts e.g. In/Out, Push/Pull, On/Off, Go/Stop
