Four-Person Custom Bicycle Challenges Australia in Charity Ride

According to ABC News on October 3, 2025, a custom four-person bicycle named Ruby has recently captured the attention of Australia’s cycling community. Four female teachers are riding the bike from Perth in Western Australia to Sydney, covering more than 4,000 kilometers to raise funds for the suicide prevention charity Gotcha-4-Life.

Ruby was designed and manufactured by a company in Oregon, USA. It measures 3.8 meters in length, weighs 33 kilograms, and features four seats, eight pedals, and a 22-speed gear system controlled by the rider at the rear. Its wheels have a special 40-spoke design to distribute the weight from four riders pedaling simultaneously, ensuring stability.

The bike was originally used in a 2023 charity cycling race in Canada and is extremely rare, with only a few in the world. Due to its large size and unique structure, Ruby faces numerous challenges while riding. Louise Ginn, riding in the front, said that turning is difficult due to the large turning radius, and crosswinds are hard to control, requiring full-body tension to maintain balance. The four-person design means each rider’s position affects the others, so they typically do not switch seats.

Maintenance during the long journey is also challenging. Ginn said they have already replaced three rear wheels, and the chain and gears have been damaged by the combined pedaling effort. One spoke even broke. Many bike shop technicians were surprised and unsure how to repair such a rare bike, sometimes needing to move it outside the shop for repairs.

This cross-country charity ride tests the riders’ endurance while attracting public attention. The four teachers hope that Ruby’s unique appearance and the long-distance challenge will raise awareness and support for suicide prevention.