Blaze a Trail with Tandem Cycling

The Trailblazers Tandem Cycling Club is a metropolitan Toronto community organization for people with visual disabilities who are enthusiastic about bicycling.

The club, which operates from April to October, owns three 21-speed tandem bikes and nine six-speed tandems. People who are blind or have low vision ("stokers") are matched up with volunteers ("captains") who do the steering and braking. The biking pairs are generally of similar size and weight and the pedalling is shared.

Trailblazer club members meet at pre-designated locations, usually at one of the two bicycle storage sheds. They cycle along Toronto’s bike trails and through its parks, and occasionally plan weekend excursions out of the city. Club members describe the activity as "addictive" and "liberating."

Membership is $30 per year. "We always look forward to having new members," says Lucy Vanderklugt, Public Relations Coordinator for the club. For more information, she can be reached at (416) 226-0883.