Bas Nooren and Bram de Pecker (below) op de Double-B. © Berber Hania
A year ago, Resource photographed Bas Noren riding across the campus on his homemade high bicycle. By then, he was already dreaming of his next creation: a vertical tandem. He didn’t know at that point how he should build it. Let alone how you could ride it.
But now he has proven that it is possible. And if you can overcome you fear, it’s nice to ride, says Nooren. He and Bram de Pecker, a BSc student of Bionanotechnology, demonstrated the Double-B – B for Bas and Bram – on campus at the end of September.
It is more stable precisely because of the height. You can cycle more slowly without falling than you can on an ordinary bike
Bas Nooren
Nooren readily admits that it’s ‘a bit nerve-racking’ to cycle on the tandem. Although he has two handlebars up there on top, the real steering is done by the cyclist nearer the ground. What are the handlebars for then? ‘One of them is just to hold on to,’ explains Nooren, ‘and you can steer with the other one if you are riding the bike on your own.’
The most critical moment is when you mount the bike. Nooren and De Pecker made use of the wall of the Forum. After that, the tandem needs to pick up speed. They stop by grabbing hold of a lamppost. Nooren is not scared of falling. ‘It is more stable precisely because of the height. You can cycle more slowly without falling than you can on an ordinary bike. That has to do with momentum. Just try balancing a pen on your finger. But it’s easier to do it with a long broomstick.’
All we have to do now is to be on Hart van Nederland
Bas Nooren
The vertical tandem consists of six bicycle frames. The whole thing was put together in JP’s garage in De Nude neighbourhood, where Nooren works when he is not studying.
The Double-B is coming in for plenty of attention. Oohs and Ahs can be heard from all around: Nooren is getting some recognition for his work. ‘All we have to do now is to be on Hart van Nederland,’ he laughs. Meanwhile he’s already pondering his next project. Something for three people, perhaps?