Originally Posted by
cornucopia72
My mother is going to be 80 next January. She has never ridden a bike; she is a leg amputee since childhood. She may be coming up from Meixco to California for a visit to celebrate my birthday. Would it be irresponsible to suggest to her taking her for a spin. I know that if I asked her she would she YES!!!!
A casual ride around the block (assuming the block is flat)?
For anything beyond that, only her primary care physician could answer that question... responsibly, that is. And then there is the matter of "risk'.
Seriously, both of my folks are within a few months of 80 and are in great shape... to all outward appearances that is. They're very active and all and I suspect either would be "game" for a ride on the back of a tandem. However, the real risk here is the consequences of a simple fall. Again, I "perceive" my folk's health to be excellent for octagenarians, in fact they are most likely as vigorous and fit as most folks 20 years their junior. But the infrastructure is 80 years old and a fall = broken bones. That would be my only concern with respect to my folks given a similar situation.