Tandem bicycles are bikes built to carry two or more people, with up to three wheels for stability and seats arranged one behind the other. Operated through a series of pedals that are worked by all riders, tandem bicycles became very popular for a short period, then declined in popularity after World War II, according to BikeforTwo.com. The first patent for the tandem bicycle was acquired by Dan Albone and his partner Arthur James Wilson in 1863 in Biggleswade, England.
Early Years
In 1898, bicycle maker Mikael Pedersen created his first two-person tandem bicycle as well as his first-four person bicycle. According to BikeforTwo.com, he modeled his tandems after his popular Pedersen cycle, with the final weight of his two-seater weighing in at 24 lbs. and his four-seater at 64 lbs. Tandems were quite heavier than traditional one-person bicycles, but their manufacturers reasoned that a tandem bicycle would possess double or even four times the normal pedaling power thanks to its design.
Revival
After World War II, tandem bicycles fast became the thing that gathers dust in your basement or garage. Popularity took a nose dive as soldiers came home to their loving families and became involved with other things as well as returning to work. In the 1950s, Bill McReady, who worked for Santana Cycles, worked to make tandem bicycles shine once again. With strategic design and marketing solutions, his efforts paid off, paving the way for competitive tandem cycling events to take form.
Events
Tandem bicycles were eventually introduced into competitive racing, greatly benefiting handicapped riders such as the visually impaired, according to TheBicycle.org. Tandems allowed for visually impaired athletes to enjoy the ride with the help of an on-board navigator whose eyesight could pick up any turns or obstacles. For this reason, tandems have undergone much redesign and innovative measures to improve speed and performance, just as single-person racing bikes have.
Benefits
Tandem bicycles are offered as not only a way for the visually impaired to participate in cycling sports but also as a means of luxury and relaxation. A song written in the early 1900s refers to the romanticism and fun of the bicycle built for two, in reference to the tandem bicycle. In more modern times, the tandem still is enjoyed by the young, old, rich and poor, and is used to improve health as well as just get back to nature. According to TheBicycle.org, riding a tandem takes great coordination and matching strength in both riders for a safe enjoyable experience.
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