Volunteer Front Riders for Two's Company rides
Can you help a visually impaired adult experience the joys and freedoms of cycling?
Bristol
Varied
Minimum of three rides per year
Sunday 8th February, at 5 pm
About the role
Two's Company is open to anyone who can't cycle independently. Taking part in the group rides is a great way to socialise, get active and experience the joys of cycling.
As a volunteer front rider, you’ll assist our back riders by piloting a tandem bicycle on quiet cycle paths and countryside around Bristol. We have two different groups:
- Adults for visually impaired people
- Young People for visually impaired and disabled people
Our young person's Two’s Company group tandem rides cater to children and young people with a range of disabilities including: visual impairments, Cerebral Palsy, Global Developmental Delay and Autism.
About the rides
Each year we run rides between March and October mostly at weekends, but with occasional weekdays or evening rides. 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 to a different back rider every ride and each ride has a trained group Ride Leader.
About you
To be a front rider you should be a strong and experienced cyclist - but no prior tandem experience is required as training is provided. We also ask that you can commit to a minimum of three rides a year.
To be a front rider, you should also fit the following criteria:
- Be 18+ years of age.
- Be able to cycle long distances (20 – 30 miles).
- Be confident at cycling on busy roads.
- Be friendly, outgoing and a good communicator.
- Treat visually impaired people on an equal, non-patronising basis.
- Ideally be at least 5’5” (168 cm), so you can comfortably pilot our tandems.
- Be able to attend induction and training sessions.
- We do have some adaptability, so please ask if you are struggling to meet the dates and times offered, or have any other specific requirements.
DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks are required for our front riders whilst volunteering as part of supervised group rides.
To help you settle in as a front rider, we’ll provide the following training:
- Practical tandem training.
- Visual impairment training.
- Safeguarding training.
- Disability training.
Perks of being a volunteer:
- Volunteer socials.
- Life Cycle branded hi-vis.
- Discount on bike servicing at our Hub workshop.
Application process
For further information and for a chat about the role, please email the Two's Company coordinator, or call 0117 353 4580.
Step one
Please complete the application form.
Step two
Once we’ve received the completed application form, we’ll organise:
- A brief phone call with the Project Coordinator.
- A one-to-one with one of our instructors at the Create Centre, to give you a sense of the tandem riding experience.
Step three
If your application is successful after completing step two, you’ll be:
- Invited to a one-hour online induction.
- Sent links to the online safeguarding training.
- Invited to the half-day in-person training which will include: visual impairment training with one of our back riders, and a short group ride with an instructor.
We couldn’t run this service without our amazing volunteers, so thank you for showing your interest!