Blind Riders Pedal to Freedom on Tandem Bikes

Since losing his eyesight 16 years ago, Franklin Ochoa has embraced new adventures, a transformation he attributes to a bicycle club in Ecuador's capital, Quito. Known as Ciegocleta, this group meets weekly, pairing blind riders with sighted volunteers on tandem bicycles. Founded 19 years ago by Miguel Ramos, who built his own tandem bikes, the club has fostered a sense of freedom and inclusion for its members.

Ochoa, 44, recently completed a 1,000 km tandem ride across Ecuador, a testament to the transformative power of the club. He describes arriving in new cities on his bike as an experience that brings him to tears of happiness. The club ensures safety by providing security tips and having volunteers experience riding with covered eyes to empathize with their blind counterparts.

Ciegocleta has 150 members, with around 30 participating in rides each Sunday. Ximena Lozano, a 54-year-old psychologist born without sight, has been a member for 14 years. She highlights how the club motivates her to be outdoors and "experience freedom," contrasting with her earlier, more sedentary life. This initiative addresses the inclusion of the estimated 56,000 visually impaired people in Ecuador in sports, an area still developing.

Volunteer José Paéz joined to help his father-in-law overcome depression after losing his sight. While initially daunted by the prospect of guiding a blind person on a tandem bike, he found the experience rewarding. Ochoa's next ambitious goal is a bike ride from Ecuador to Mexico, a multi-month adventure for which he has already found a willing partner through the club.