Duet bicycle training sessions planned

By Bryan Hellios

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Ironwood — The Duet Bicycle program is offering training sessions to become a peddler of a tandem bike built especially for people with significant disabilities so they can enjoy the thrill of going for a bike ride.

Training will offered during two sessions in the Ironwood Memorial Building on Feb. 23. One session is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon while the other will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Participants don’t need to attend both sessions.

The duet bicycle peddler training program teaches participants how to properly handle a custom-made, electric-assist bicycle which has a wheel chair attached to the front of it. The specialized vehicle is designed for people, who up until now, could only dream of going for a ride.

Scott Erickson, co-coordinator for the program, said two health foundations helped cover the $10,000 cost of the bike and its transport trailer. An application has been put in for a second bike he added, but there is no guarantee.

He said being a peddler, commonly referred to as a pilot, is a very rewarding.

“The nursing home staff told us a lot of their residents who rode talked about the experience for weeks and weeks after their ride,” Erickson said.

The volunteers of the Duet Bicycle Program is comprised of a group of people from the Western end of the U.P. who enjoy giving the gift of bicycling to those who can’t ride themselves.

The program gives special need riders a chance to experience the fun and simple pleasure one gets from riding a bike.

For those wanting to give the gift of bicycling to people living with disabilities, the group invites anyone looking to help with this effort to stop by the Ironwood Memorial Building on Feb. 23 and become a trained pilot.

For more information or questions about the program contact co-coordinator Doug Hippe at 906-932-8498.