Media Release

NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FL - Shelley L. Patterson, adaptive cycling advocate and distributor of The Buddy Bike® alternative tandem bicycle for riders with special needs, is thrilled to announce the facilitation of two generous customer donations of The Buddy Bike® to Ability360 in Arizona and Foresight Adventure Guides for the Blind in Colorado. These donations will support the adaptive cycling activities and programs, enhancing their missions to provide inclusive outdoor activities for individuals of all abilities.

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​​Ability360, based in Phoenix, Arizona, is dedicated to empowering people with disabilities through various programs and services, including adaptive sports. The donation of The Buddy Bike will significantly enrich their adaptive cycling program, allowing more individuals to experience the joy and freedom of cycling. Kaitlyn Verfuerth, 360Outdoors Program Manager says, "The 360Outdoors program is beyond excited to be receiving a Buddy Bike. We have been wanting to buy a tandem bike for quite some time. We also offer Recreational Therapy and we have a lot of clients that want to learn how to ride a bike. So this will be perfect for what we need. So excited and thank you [Donor]! Kaitlyn plans to include The Buddy Bike in their Ride & Row event on November 6, 2024. Register at https://ability360.org/cal-events/360outdoors-ride-row/

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Foresight Adventure Guides for the Blind in Vail, Colorado offers winter adaptive ski programs and summer activities for visually impaired individuals. With the addition of The Buddy Bike, they will expand cycling opportunities by allowing sighted riders to ride with sight impaired riders, providing a safe, enjoyable, and inclusive riding experience for their participants. Christine Holmberg, Executive Director, was excited to learn of the donation and said "We are grateful for the donation of a Buddy Bike and can't wait to offer it to our campers at our summer camp. They will love it! We will too!" Christine included The Buddy Bike in activities during their 3-Day Summer Camp for Blind Youth on July 8-10, 2024. Learn more at https://www.foresightskiguides.org/summer-camp.html. 

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“At Buddy Bike, our mission is to put more people on bikes, especially those who face challenges that might make traditional cycling seem unattainable,” said Shelley L. Patterson, Owner of Bikes For Every Body LLC and distributor of The Buddy Bike®. Shelley regularly receives pre-owned Buddy Bikes through their customer Trade-In Program. Shelley says some of those bikes become donations, and in those cases, she prefers to see them go to schools, camps, or organizations where many families and groups will be able to enjoy them while receiving their therapeutic benefits. She also says "while we are always sad to hear that a family is no longer riding their Buddy Bike, we are beyond grateful when those families want to pay-it-forward by donating them where many families can enjoy them!"

 

In line with their mission, Buddy Bike is excited to announce that they are accepting pre-orders for new inventory of The Buddy Bike set to arrive in Summer 2025. To make adaptive bikes more accessible, they are offering a $400 discount on all pre-orders paid by November 15, 2024. This special promotion provides families, organizations, and individuals the chance to secure their Buddy Bike at a reduced price so they can be ready to embrace the trails next summer with the next generation of The Buddy Bike®.

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​​To learn about currently available Buddy Bike models, to place a pre-order, or to learn more about The Buddy Bike and their mission to promote mobility and inclusion, please visit buddybike.com or contact Shelley L. Patterson at shelley@buddybike.com or 786.489.2453.
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About Buddy Bike

The Buddy Bike is an alternative tandem bicycle with rear seat steering. It is a bicycle for riders with special needs providing adaptive and therapeutic cycling for riders with autism, down syndrome, sight impairment, balance issues, low muscle tone and other disabilities that would prevent them from riding a bike safely on their own. Learn more at buddybike.com.​

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About Ability360

Ability360 is an Arizona-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with disabilities through a wide range of programs and services, including adaptive sports. Their goal is to promote independence and improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. For more information, visit ability360.org.

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About Foresight Ski Guides

Foresight Ski Guides is a Colorado-based organization that provides adaptive skiing and outdoor programs for individuals with visual impairments. Their mission is to create opportunities for visually impaired individuals to enjoy outdoor activities and build confidence through sports. For more information, visit foresightskiguides.org.