Buddy Bike !!

When I began writing, I only thought of technology as Electronics & software. As I read for better technologies that are out there helping or promising to help children with Autism, I found the Buddy Bike. Though, my son can cycle now ( Though the initial process of teaching was a tough one ), I fully understand the need for something like this. Even now, I run alongside the bike, as I am not confident that he would be careful about safety, esp from other traffic.


It is said that in 2003 Barry Nelson bought a two-wheeled bicycle. But this bicycle was different than other bicycles. Two people could ride this bicycle instead of one. Barry bought it for himself and his son Jesse. Jesse has autism. He could not ride a bicycle alone. Jesse did not understand the danger of cars on the road.

So Barry bought this new bicycle to ride with Jesse. But there was a problem. On this bicycle, Jesse sat behind his father. Sometimes Jesse would stop moving his legs, sometimes he would take his hands off of the bicycle handles. Barry had to always look behind him to make sure Jesse was safe. Barry knew there must be a better way to ride with his son.

Barry searched all around for a bicycle that would work. Finally he found a bicycle invented by Robert Gardner. It was called the Buddy Bike. The Buddy Bike is a bicycle that lets the child sit in front of the adult. The child can push the bicycle pedals with his feet and have handlebars for his hands. Jesse could see everything in front of him. On the old bicycle, Jesse could only see his father's back. On the Buddy Bike, there was no longer a risk of crashing.

Barry enjoyed using the bicycle with his son so much that he started a business selling Buddy Bikes. He wanted to share the Buddy Bike with other families like his. He used his business skills to sell the Buddy Bike all over the world.

Check out their website for more info : http://www.buddybike.com/