When it comes to riding tandem bikes, Beth and Barton Cox of Makiki will tell you that give-and-take, teamwork and compromise are keys to a successful ride.

“There is a saying, whichever way your relationship is going, a tandem will get you there faster,” said Beth Cox, “and it’s true.”

But she remembers how one bike salesperson told her tandem bikes should come with a warning label about their potential to break up relationships, and sure enough, Beth Cox knows of couples that did after trying it.

Not so for her and her husband. Beth, 63, and Barton, 73, actually grew closer after getting on a tandem bike 10 years ago.

The Coxes, who have been married for 17 years, have established each rider’s responsibility with relative harmony. He steers and navigates. She offers her pedal power, especially on the hills.

“When he wants to coast, I stop pedaling,” said Beth. “He’ll say, ‘Ready, coast,’ and I’ll know when to stop.”

If she wants to change gears, he acquiesces. She also gets to pick which outfits they wear for their rides.

The Coxes ride their tandem bike about 30 hours a week, logging about 6,000 miles a year. They enjoy riding along the scenic East Honolulu coastline to the Windward side, coasting along the curves of Nuuanu Pali Road and exploring the backcountry roads of Waimanalo.

Outfitted with microphone headsets in their helmets, they’re able to communicate without having to yell over the wind or traffic. They chit-chat and sing a repertoire of songs while on the road.

Barton, a retired attorney and former Honolulu deputy prosecutor, has been riding bicycles his entire life. When he worked in downtown Honolulu, he commuted by bike and has always been comfortable on two wheels. Beth, who works as a substance abuse counselor, was an avid swimmer and runner who got into biking more seriously in her 40s.

After Beth suffered several injuries from biking solo, the Coxes decided to try a tandem in 2006.

Her most serious accident happened while she was riding down Monsarrat Avenue at about 30 mph. Someone opened a car door in front of her, and she overcompensated while swerving to avoid it. Beth ended up hitting the pavement and broke several ribs.

On a tandem, Beth can enjoy the view while Barton steers. That doesn’t mean she can stop pedaling, however — a common misconception about tandem bikers. Both riders need to pedal to make the bike move.

While the rider in front is usually referred to as captain and the rider in back as the stoker, the Coxes decided to change the latter to “rear admiral.”

Starting, stopping and turning are different from a solo bike, so it’s a good idea to take a few training sessions with experienced riders. The Coxes took their time getting the basics down and are happy to offer assistance.

They’re hooked on what they consider to be a way to stay fit as well as to see the world.

“It’s almost like you’re exercising and you get to see the beauty of Hawaii,” Beth said. “And we get to be together.”

Barton, who is in a Weight Watchers program, says it has helped him keep off extra weight for the past 10 years. He maintains a weight of about 180 pounds.

“We just love riding,” he said. “We never get tired of it. One of our mottoes is ‘We ride to eat.’”

They’ve also brought their tandem bicycle, which can be taken apart and packed into two suitcases, to British Columbia, New Mexico and the coastline of Big Sur, Calif. Next, they plan to bike along the southern coast of Portugal.

The rewards are endless, according to Beth, who finds biking to be a great escape and stress reliever. Both plan to continue tandem biking as long as they are able to.

“There’s nothing better than a day’s ride where you sleep so good.” Beth said. “You don’t really feel like you’re exercising because it’s so much fun.”