The latest New Yorker of the Week helps those living with disabilities gear up for the thrill and empowerment of riding a bicycle built for two. NY1's John Schiumo filed the following report.

A tandem bike team is a well-oiled machine. The captain in front controls the gears. The stoker in the back provides the power.

And for stokers living without sight, the experience is powerful.

"It’s really freeing," says stoker Kate Lawson. "I have a guide dog, and trusting my captain is like trusting my dog. They get me where I need to go, and it’s just a lot of fun."

"It's this rush you get when you're going really fast, and then you get to coast the wind, is just amazing, and you feel accomplished after biking a really huge hill," says stoker Alyssa Cayetano.

That rush is thanks to "In Tandem." Founded in 2013, the nonprofit gives those who are visually impaired or living with disabilities the opportunity to ride for free.

Mark Carhart is the group's co-founder.

"Beyond just the logistics of it, it’s an opportunity to talk about what’s going on in our lives," Carhart says. "You're very close to each other. You're just a few inches apart. You really have an opportunity to connect with another New Yorker in a way that you often don’t get to do."

That connection motivates. It strengthens endurance and builds resiliency.

"You can set a goal, and you can accomplish it no matter what," says stoker Eric Santiago. "Losing my vision at a young age, that’s one of the reasons I gave up biking, and through "In Tandem," I was able to gain the confidence back to continue on with biking."

"In Tandem" hosts rides twice a week in Central Park, building a community along the way.

"We have a really committed group of people, and it’s a wonderful community," Carhart says. "Everyone is super supportive of each other. We really share in our experiences."

"When I was in high school, 'In Tandem' would have been really nice to have because I was always on the sideline," Lawson says. "Mark has just done a phenomenal job of putting the infrastructure in place, getting the programs running and really getting the word out there to New Yorkers in need."

So, for leading his fellow New Yorkers down a path of friendship, fitness, and freedom, Mark Carhart is our New Yorker of the Week.

For more information about the nonprofit, visit intandembike.org.