The Blind Sports NS tandem bikes program connects Nova Scotians who are blind and have low vision to the joys and benefits of cycling.
Whether it’s been years since you’re ridden bike or your first time, we love to getting butts on bikes! Our program is completely free of charge.
Orientation Sessions
We welcome requests for one-on-one orientation sessions for both riders who are blind and visually impaired (stokers) and pilots.
No experience necessary for stokers, we’ll get you acquainted with how to ride safely and confidently.
Pilots (the person who rides in front, steers, and brakes) are confident cyclists with experience. Pilots can be a trusted friend or family member.
Volunteer pilots can be available upon request. Our volunteers are confident, experienced, cyclists, who’ve completed orientation with Blind Sports NS.
Get in Touch
To borrow a bike, receive orientation, and/or request a pilot, email BlindSportsNS@gmail.com, call or text Jennie at 902 449 0320.
About Tandem Biking
- Tandem biking in a fun way for community members living with vision loss to get active in the great outdoors with family and friends.
- A tandem bike is a bicycle built for two.
- A person with vision loss rides in back and is referred to a stoker.
- The pilot rides up front and steers and changes gears, while communicating effectively with and guiding the stoker.
- The Blind Sports NS Tandem Bike Club, its Coordinator and Technician, believe in safety first! Helmets are always required, we follow the rules of the road, and all riders of all kinds are required to receive orientation.
Who’s Tandem Biking For?
- Participants with all levels and types of vision loss are welcome
- No experience necessary (we’ll show you the ropes!)
- Participants of all ages are welcome (we’ll do our very best to find a bike that fits your height & needs)
- Tandem biking may also be a good fit for participants who have other disabilities or mobility restrictions.
- Your orientation session and first bike ride are FREE. An annual $30 Membership is required for insurance and liability purchases and gives you access to our tandem bikes, training, and our volunteer pilot roster for the whole year.
What We Offer
- We’ll introduce you to tandem biking, show you the best practices, and get you comfortable before heading out for a ride. Attend one of our group orientation sessions or schedule a 1 on 1 session.
- A fleet of tandem bikes, including different sizes and types.
- Our bikes are available for short and long term loans – for a few hours, a few days, or even longer. Please just get in touch with us to request a tandem bike loan and arrangements.
- Our tandem bikes are maintained and serviced by an experienced professional bicycle technician before every single ride.
- We offer helmets with our bikes and our bikes include bells, water bottle holders, racks, etc.
- We are based in Halifax, but our bikes love to travel!
- We also offer a roster of trained volunteer pilots available to cyclists with vision loss. More information on volunteer pilots below.
- Volunteer pilot orientation sessions for friends and loved ones of cyclists with vision loss. If you have a friend or family member that would like to pilot (go tandem biking) with you, we will provide the training to get them safe and comfortable, NOTE: If you’re a cyclist with vision loss loaning one Blind Sports NS’s tandem bikes for a ride of any kind, the pilot must receive an orientation.
- Volunteer Pilot Orientation Sessions – We host at least one volunteer orientation (training) session per season. We can also arrange for 1 on 1 orientation.
Group Bike Rides
- From about April to October, we host super fun group rides along the Chain of Lakes, BLT, St Margaret’s Bay Trails and more.
- We offer shorter rides for those just getting their feet wet to rides that take all day or all weekend and it’s free to participate.
- Our professional bicycle technician is on hand at each group ride!
Volunteer Pilots
- We provide volunteer pilots! Our pilots are experienced, confident, cyclists, who are passionate about making cycling accessible for everyone.
- Our volunteers receive training, including sighted guide technique, a blindness 101 course, tandem biking best practices, and more.
- Volunteers are available for group bike rides hosted by Blind Sports NS, individual requests, community events, and more.
- Whether you’re a cyclist with vision loss and would like to go out for a long or short trail ride on the weekend, run a few errands around town a weeknight evening, or participate in a triathlon, we’ll connect you with trained volunteer pilot.
Volunteering
- Are you an experienced and confident cyclist? Want to help us share the joy of cycling with people in the community living with sight loss, while having a great time? We’d love to hear from you.
- Receive the above-described training and choose how and when you volunteer. Choose from group rides, individual requests, sometimes training for competition.
- We’re always looking for friends (volunteers) with trucks or other means of transporting tandem bikes for group rides, community events and for individual requests!
Get in Touch
Contact Jennie, Tandem Bikes Coordinator
BlindSportsNS@gmail.com
Call or Text Jennie at 902 449 0320