Unusual bike cruises down Vernon train tracks

VERNON – At first glance, it looks like an ordinary bike.

But there’s something different about this particular two-wheeler, that much is clear from three pole attachments jutting out horizontally from the bike.

The odd contraption, spotted on the railroad by Kal Beach in Coldstream, is made to run along train tracks.

What is it, and how does it work? That’s something we turned to good old Google for. Apparently, the gizmo is called a rail bike.

Basically, you modify a standard bicycle by installing a series of attachments to it, which allow you to ride easily, and without steering, on train tracks.

The activity sounds like a great way to avoid traffic and hills, although rail biking websites are quick to point out you should only use them on abandoned rail lines.

We’re not sure how long rail biking has been around, but it appears to be a fairly obscure sport, especially in the Okanagan.

We’re curious, have you seen one before, and would you give it a go?

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To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.