Cyclorama - The guide to oustanding and specialised cycles

A Note from Generation Rescue, Jenny McCarthy's Autism Organization "The buddy bike is an amazing thing for children on the spectrum. What we found from the families that tried it was that it was really good for sensory integration and motor skills as well as building up the weaker muscle groups and working on balance. We found the kids were showing more self confidence because they were accomplishing a task they may not otherwise be able to do, and the bike was great at not only allowing them to accomplish these tasks but reinforced the behavior because they could continue to do well. Also, it is wonderful for the kids because they get to interact with their parents and from the parents perspective they get the simple joy of riding bikes with their children. We love the buddy bike!"

Exhibitor Profile: Buddybike

Buddy-Bike, LLC is the manufacturer of a unique tandem bicycle. We take pride in providing a quality bicycle and excellent timely service to our customers and bicycle dealers. We strive to provide a product that encourages more families to ride bicycles and we give back to our community by supporting disability and cycling related events.

The journey from Love-Bike to Buddy-Bike.

In the early 1990s Robert “Bob” Gardner from Willits, California created what would eventually become the Buddy-Bike. Bob, a bicycle enthusiast, was inspired to customize a bike to ride with his young son Isaac. Bob had the innovation of adding a seat and foot pegs in front of his seat. Isaac enjoyed riding in front but wanted his own pedals so Bob welded two bicycle frames together. He called the unique tandem bicycle the Love-Bike and began production in 1996. In 2003, Barry Nelson, the father of a child with autism, began searching for a bicycle to use with his son Jesse. Barry tried many options without success until he purchased a used Love-Bike.

Barry enjoyed the time that he spent with Jesse on the Love-Bike and wanted other families to have the same experience. In 2005, Barry purchased the patent and remaining inventory of the Love-Bike with a Trust benefiting Jesse and he changed the name of the bicycle to the Buddy-Bike.

The Buddy-Bike is featured in Cyclorama Book #1

" When a child grows too big for a baby seat but still too small to ride their own bike, riding with the child behind on a regular tandem or trailer-bike can be a stressful experience. The Buddy Bike is a tandem bicycle which places the ‘stoker’ in the front seat while the ‘captain’ sits behind controlling the steering. On the Buddy Bike, children feel that they are in charge whilst being encircled within the reassuring arms of the parent or carer.
The Buddy Bike is a great way for children to learn how to cycle safely, exercise and enjoy real quality family time. It is much shorter than a regular tandem, making it more manoeuvrable, and has a lower front seat so that both riders can safely enjoy the view. Communication is easier, allowing for real conversations rather than half-heard sentences drowned out by traffic noise or lost on the wind.
An independent evaluation by the National Lekotek Center, USA reported that; ‘Riding the Buddy Bike can be empowering for children and adults with special needs’. The Buddy Bike's layout is particularly suitable for children with autism, Down’s, those with vision or hearing impairment and other minor physical disabilities for whom opportunities to experience the therapeutic benefits of physical exercise would otherwise be unavailable. "

Visit this exhibitor's website: http://www.buddybike.com