Contact:
Shelley Patterson
786.489.BIKE (2453)
shelley@buddybike.com

BUDDY BIKE HOLDS GROUP RIDE IN SHARK VALLEY   PDF

Buddy Bike, LLC, the manufacturer of a unique tandem bicycle that benefits special needs children, held its second group bike ride on Sunday, April 22 in Shark Valley in the Everglades National Park. This ride was held in appreciation of the customers of Buddy Bike and their children; other cyclists attended as well. The participants enjoyed sunny skies while observing local wildlife such as birds, turtles and alligators in their natural habitat. “It was heartwarming to see the smiling faces of the children as they pointed to the animals from the front of their Buddy Bikes,” said Lourdes Cosme, participant. Buddy Bike plans to hold group rides in Colorado and Ohio during summer 2007.

The Buddy Bike is a revolutionary bicycle for two that steers from the rear so a child can safely ride in front while the adult controls the bike from behind. Buddy Bike utilizes an exclusive and innovative design with an extra set of handles on the handlebars for the front rider, an extra rear brake for safety and gears connected to the front rider’s pedals. The lower front seat of the Buddy Bike allows both riders to safely enjoy the view.

The unique features of the Buddy Bike offer special needs children a mode of exercise and transportation that has not been available until this time. Children with physical or developmental disabilities who are unable to ride a bicycle alone are able to share the experience of riding a bicycle with their parents, teachers or therapists on a Buddy Bike. Maureen Carter, the parent of a child with autism, says, “I love that the Buddy Bike is giving us these opportunities to be together, work together, play together, talk together…The Buddy Bike is doing so much more for us than just getting us around town on a bike.”

The President of the company, Barry Nelson, decided to manufacture and market the Buddy Bike after enjoying it with his son, Jesse, who has autism. Barry says he no longer has to shout to communicate with Jesse while bike riding together and he does not have to take his eyes off the road to look behind to see how he is doing.

The Buddy Bike is currently being utilized in several schools and organizations and is being used successfully as a rental bike in tourist locations like Vail, Colorado and Chicago’s Navy Pier. “Our customers love it”, says Bike Chicago’s General Manager, Chris Dunstatter, “I’ve had a lot of repeat customers who come back here specifically to use the bike because they can’t find it anywhere else in the city of Chicago.”

For more information about the Buddy Bike and these events, visit www.buddybike.com or call Shelley Patterson at 786.489.BIKE (2453).