Learn to pilot a tandem

Learn to ride a tandem bike with people who are blind or have low vision. 

Tandem pilots bring the joy of cycling to people who are blind or have low vision, who may otherwise be excluded from cycling. Tandems benefit people with other disabilities too. For people who can’t cycle alone, a tandem is a great solution.

What is tandem piloting for people who are blind or have low vision?

The vision impaired rider or ‘stoker’ sits at the back of the tandem and provides muscle power. The pilot steers the tandem and rides in close communication with the stoker.

About the session

Come along to Silo Park where we’ll be using the safe space of the basketball courts for your 30-minute lesson on how to pilot a tandem. After your lesson, you will have the opportunity for free practice on the tandem with the experienced stokers who are available to help.

You’ll also have the chance to meet a high performance tandem pairing who represent Aotearoa internationally at Para cycling competitions.

Bikes will be provided. Bring your helmet if you have one, or use one of our spares.

What can you do with your new tandem piloting skills?

Once trained, you will be able to use your skills as a pilot rider with people in your own life, or take up volunteer opportunities such as providing tandem piloting for vision impaired riders on group rides around our region, recreationally or competitively in the Para sport space.

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Use this Learn to Pilot a Tandem event poster to share this event with your network.