Characteristics of Emerging Road and Trail Users and Their Safety

Tandem Bicycles

Figure 4. Tandem bicycle.

Tandem bicycles (often called tandems) have positions for two cyclists; typically, the front rider (the "captain") is responsible for steering, balance, shifting, braking, and pedaling, while the back rider (the "stoker") adds pedaling power (figure 4). Due to the significant increase in pedaling energy without much additional wind resistance, tandems allow riders to travel faster and farther with the same effort. The greater mass of a tandem means that tandem bicycles are generally slower traveling uphill and faster traveling downhill than single bikes. Tandem bicycles are typically equipped with multiple gears, including higher gears to accommodate the additional power.

Most tandem bicycles are similar to upright single bikes where riders sit on a small saddle and reach forward to handlebars that are typically at or slightly above or below the seat height. Tandem bicycles are also available in recumbent versions. See below for a more detailed description of recumbent bicycles.