Volunteer Tandem Rider

Do you have a passion for bikes?  Can you help a visually impaired adult experience the joys and freedoms of cycling?

We’re seeking volunteers to join our Two’s Company team, piloting a tandem bicycle with a visually impaired adult or a young person with disabilities.

About this role

As a volunteer front rider, you’ll assist our visually impaired back riders by piloting a tandem bicycle in Bristol and the surrounding countryside.

Many of the participants can’ ride a bike independently. Taking part in group tandem rides is a great chance to socialise, experience the sounds and smells of the countryside, and feel the wind in their hair.

The rides are very sociable, and we usually stop at a café or pub for lunch. If you enjoy meeting and chatting with new people, you’ll be a perfect fit!

About the rides

Each year we run rides between March and October, mostly on weekends, with the occasional weekday or evening ride. The rides are pitched at different levels – gentle, intermediate, and advanced, to enable people of all abilities and fitness levels to participate. Front riders are matched with different back riders, and each ride has a trained group Ride Leader.

About Life Cycle

Life Cycle is a charity that works with people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds at every stage of their cycling journey, from learning to ride, to building a career in the cycling industry.

In this role, you’ll be a key part of our Two’s Company project, working with our Inclusive Cycling team to provide tandem adventures for visually impaired people.

‘’It certainly helps visually impaired people hugely to get out and about and help with some fitness and get them to meet other people. A lot of blind people are very isolated, and it opens up a new world, really.’’ – Jenny, Two’s Company participant.

About you

To be a front rider you should be a strong and experienced cyclist. No prior tandem experience is required as training is provided. We also ask that you commit to at least five rides a year. We offer approximately 30 rides per season, so there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.

Volunteer front riders should be:

• 18+ years of age.
• Comfortable doing 20-30 mile rides.
• Confident cycling on with traffic.
• Friendly, outgoing and a good communicator.
• Treat visually impaired people on an equal, non-patronising basis.
• Ideally be at least 5’6” (168 cm), as most tandems have quite large frames.
• Able to attend induction and training sessions.

We have some flexibility, so please ask if you are struggling to meet the dates and times offered or have any other specific requirements.

We couldn’t run this service without our amazing volunteers, so thank you for showing your interest!

How to apply: please apply via the ‘Volunteering and jobs’ page on our website.