The Buddy Bike – The Alternative Inline Tandem Bicycle
Demonstration video for the Buddy Bike. The Buddy Bike is an inline tandem bicycle (bicycle for two) that places the stoker in the front seat while the rear rider controls the steering. It is shorter in length than a standard tandem and has a lower front seat so both riders can safely enjoy the view. 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. Its features make it especially beneficial for special needs children who otherwise would not be able to experience the thrill of riding a bicycle. Utilizing this unique patented design and quality bike parts, the Buddy Bike provides safety and REAL quality time! In the early 1990s Bob Gardner from 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 ...
July 7th, 2008 - 16:56
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.
September 17th, 2008 - 11:12
lol the little girl on 00:39 “I LOVE D’ BUDDY BIKE!”
January 24th, 2009 - 01:33
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
July 23rd, 2009 - 13:56
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
July 28th, 2009 - 15:07
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.
September 16th, 2009 - 07:12
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.
September 17th, 2009 - 16:07
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
October 1st, 2009 - 20:25
i think you should space the seats further apart like 1:48 guy was uncomfortable close to girl look innoproperiate but good idea
October 2nd, 2009 - 14:35
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.
November 26th, 2009 - 18:53
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!
December 2nd, 2009 - 16:43
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.
February 17th, 2010 - 18:59
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
September 11th, 2010 - 21:11
@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.
September 11th, 2010 - 21:12
@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.
September 12th, 2010 - 05:21
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.
September 13th, 2010 - 14:23
@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.
September 14th, 2010 - 04:33
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!!,
September 18th, 2010 - 23:42
@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.
September 19th, 2010 - 06:47
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!
September 20th, 2010 - 14:04
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!