Has anyone seen any tandem bicycle rentals in Luang Prabang?
 

We'll be staying in Luang Prabang as part of a trip through Asia this fall and would like to rent a tandem bike (a single bicycle for 2 adults). My wife has mobility issues that prevent her from riding on a conventional single-person bike.

I've done an online search but have seen no places renting them. I know they are popular in China and Vietnam, and since Luang Prabang has so much bike riding and tourism, I'm hoping someone who was there might have seen a place renting them.

Hire a "tuk tuk"!

Tuk tuks in Luang Prabang are made for short people. Tall people hit their heads on the lid! Didn't have that problem elsewhere.

I have visited LP several times over the years and hired bikes but I don't ever recall seeing any tandems though. Nice idea though and a great way for someone who does have mobility issues to experience the countryside without the incessant noise of a tuk tuk.

crellston,

Thanks for answering, I guess they would have been conspicuous in any bike shop you visited, being so large. So it sounds like maybe they're not any in LP.

Too bad, because they give anyone who can't walk very well some freedom to explore at their own pace.

And as you pointed out, without the noise of tuk-tuks! Or exhaust fumes, either.

There is quite a bike culture in LP, I didn't recall seeing a tandem bike, but I wasn't looking for one either.

Once you've booked your hotel (highly reccommend Apsara Hotel) email them with your request. I reckon you'll find one.

You don't want to be on a tandem bike in SE Asia if your wife does have mobility issues. Riding a tandem bike amongst cars and motorcycles in SE Asia and in a town like Luang Prabang where there are hills to climbs is not wise. Also, if you're going in the hotter months then avoid!

Hire a car, tuk tuk or a moped will be a better idea.

I have never seen tandem bicycles for hire anywhere in Lao.

<I have never seen tandem bicycles for hire anywhere in Lao.>

I'm surprised some enterprising person hasn't bought a couple to rent to tourists. With so many tourists visiting Luang Prabang, I'd think they'd be a popular item.

I know in Hoi An the tourists rent them (also used on bike tours), and lots of places rent them in China (in places like Yangshuo), and also Bali.

We have one here in New York City, and really enjoy the riding it!

They'd probably get hired mainly by idiots, and get wrecked in no time!

Well, many companies in many countries rent huge numbers of mopeds to all kinds of people, and still seem able to make money.

Even though some of those people crash them, with much more dire results than from a tandem accident.

Email a photo of a tandem bike to a few rental shops and hotels asking if they have one. Even if they don't, who knows, they may uncover one or one enterprising chap may well build some and start a whole new trend/business ,

Turns out that, yes, tandem bikes ARE in Laos.

We were in Laos a few weeks ago and did find a bike shop in Vientiane that both rented and sold tandem bikes!

Unfortunately, none could be found in Luang Prabang, where one would have been perfect for us.

But I did ride a regular bike there in the historic section, and it was delightful!

For anyone who might find it useful, here's my photo of the bike shop I took in Vientiane. It shows 2 tandems out in front - one for rent and one for sale, as well as the bike shop phone number.

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/bcqyaslzi...8MiN1IZcif5vva