Fighting Climate Change By Tandem

1. When and why did you first get your Bike Friday, and what drew you to it?
I had always dreamed of traveling across the United States, and that idea had been brewing since around 2009-soon after I finished a nine-month bicycle journey across several parts of the world. But getting there wasn’t easy. I faced a few visa rejections from the U.S. Embassy before finally receiving a visa to attend a scientific conference in Hawaii.

I’d long wanted to buy a tandem bike-largely because of the book “Taking a Seat”, which deeply inspired me. But the question was, which one? Coming from Bangladesh, air travel is the only way to reach most destinations, as our country is surrounded by India. So, I needed a tandem that could be easily packed and flown without requiring any unconventional boxes or oversized baggage.

After quite a bit of research, I discovered Bike Friday. At first, I wasn’t entirely convinced-but then I came across several blogs by Bike Friday riders. Their stories sold me on it. This was around 2009–2010, before Facebook was widely popular.

I was looking for a bike that ticked all the boxes-lightweight, compact, and packable-and Bike Friday fit perfectly. I found out that Bfold in New York sold them, so I wrote to David Lam there. We eventually became good friends. I told him I wanted a red tandem with basic components-and that’s how I got it in 2011. Brought to Bangladesh. I still ride the same one today. I got another green one which I brought in 2015.

5. What’s been a standout or unexpected story from your journey so far?

A few moments stand out. My short documentary on my U.S. ride earned the Connect4Climate Award from the World Bank, where we documented roadside trash using an Android app back in 2012-long before “citizen science” became a buzzword. Another special surprise was when my tandem photo was featured in Adventure Cycling Association’s annual calendar. I truly believe the tandem had a lot to do with both of those milestones. It’s more than just a bike-it’s been a bridge between journeys, people, and stories.

Do you already ride a tandem?
Come and join us at next year’s Northwest Tandem Rally in our neighbouring town of Cottage Grove, June 5–7.  More information to follow, stay tuned!