2.0 Riding your tandem
Like any activity, cycling involves risk of injury and damage. By choosing to ride a bicycle, you assume responsibility for that
risk and need to practise safe and responsible riding. The following are points, that if practised, may reduce that risk. It is not
intended to be a definitive treatise on the subject and there may be omissions. Consequently, even strict adherence to these
points in no way guarantees survival.
2.1 Basics
1. Even though our bikes are manufactured and assembled to the highest standard it is essential that a thorough check is
carried out by an accredited dealer prior to first use.
2. Prior to riding your bike, it is essential to carry out a mechanical safety and maintenance check - please familiarise yourself
with our ‘Maintenance Schedule’.
3. It is strongly recommended to wear an approved cycle helmet
2.2 Safety While Cycling
1. You must be thoroughly familiar with the controls of your bike.
2. It is essential that you are familiar with, and observe, the local traffic regulations.
3. Be aware of your speed and never exceed a speed at which you feel safe and have time to stop your bike in unforeseen
circumstances.
4. Don’t jump with your bike.
2.3 Riding at night
1. it is not recommended to ride a bicycle at night, but if you do, it is essential and, frequently a legal requirement, that ap-
proved lights be used front and back. These light should be both of sufficient brightness to illuminate the road ahead and so
that other road users can clearly see you.
2. Always wear reflective clothing. Reflective vests or bands over the body and bands for the arms and legs are also very effec-
tive.
3. Make sure that your bike is well equipped with reflectors.
2.4 Wet Weather Riding
1. Braking performance and stopping distances are very detrimentally affected in wet conditions compared to riding in the
dry. It is essential to make appropriate adjustments to your speed and to allow increased distance for stopping.
2. The use of mudguards can help to improve visibility both for you and for anyone following you.
3. It is important to wear appropriate clothing. Waterproofs obviously, but a peak on your helmet or cap can greatly enhance
forward vision.
2.5 Clothing
1. It is advisable to wear bright highly visible clothing that is not loose enough to to catch on the bicycle’s moving parts or be
snagged by objects at the side of the road.
2. Always wear reflective clothing at night. Reflective bands or vests over the body and bands for the arms and legs are also
very effective.
3. Always wear shoes that will stay on your feet and will grip the pedals. It is potentially dangerous to ride barefoot or in open
shoes like sandals.
4. Protective eye wear can help to see in bright sunshine and can prevent damage from impacts with insects and road debris.
3.0 Fit.
To ensure that riding your bike is the pleasurable experience it should be, it is essential that attention be paid to correct fit.
Ideally this should be done in conjuntion with an accredited dealer, but the following points should be observed.
3.1 Weight distribution
It’s usual for the larger rider to be the ‘Captain’ , this is because the back rider is responsible for stabilising the tandem when
starting and stopping, for steering, and for braking which particularly on long descents can be very demanding.
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