Cycling doesn't have to be a solitary endeavor. The tandem bicycle allows two people to enjoy the benefits of cycling together on the very same vehicle. Tandem bicycles feature two seats, two sets of handlebars and two sets of pedals, allowing both individuals to take an active role in propelling the bicycle. While its exact origin remains open to debate, the tandem bicycle dates as far back as the 1880s.
History
Carl Von Drais invented the first bicycle in 1817, viewing his creation as a suitable replacement for a horse. Yet it wasn't until the 1880s that bicycling exploded in popularity, with its devotees enjoying it for exercise, leisure and as a means of transportation. The bicycle craze eventually led to the creation of the first tandem as people looked for ways to share the fun.
First Tandem
Uncertainty surrounds the invention of the first tandem bicycle. H.G. Barr and P.E. Peck filed a patent for a tandem bicycle on August 4, 1891, although their unique design featured one seat directly above each wheel and a set of pedals anchored in each wheel's center. By 1896, the Schwinn bicycle company produced its own tandems, including a model with a child seat for family riding.
Benefits
Tandem bicycles have a few key advantages over traditional bicycles. First, there's the fun factor. Riding with a friend on a tandem bicycle can be a far more enjoyable experience than riding alone. And since two people are pedaling, traveling on a tandem can make for an easier, more enjoyable ride. Tandems are also an excellent way for the visually impaired to experience cycling, since it provides a chance for someone else to assume the steering duties.
Considerations
For the best tandem cycling experience, both parties should be of similar skill levels and accustomed to how tandems operate. Tandems require excellent communication and team work; both riders need to pedal at the same rate to achieve optimal performance. One rider pedaling harder than the other can lead to instability and wasted effort.
Terminology
Tandem cycling comes with its own specific terminology. The person sitting up front is known as the captain or steersman, since he controls the bicycle's steering. The person sitting in the back is often called the rear admiral or stoker, as their main job is to provide pedal power. Some tandems may even feature three, four or five riders, with each person having his own nickname according to his place in the seating order.
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