Footrests for stoker I have a Schauff Pittsburgh 2002 26&quot;  tandem which has the standard tandem drive train setup (timing chain on the left) and Shimano Deore components with 3x8 gearing.

The tandem has become my partner's and my single mode of escape during the pandemic. Because of our different heights and the sizes of the seats, he can only ride as stoker and I only as captain on this tandem. Unfortunately due to an injury, he currently needs to take it easy and can't pedal. I might be able to pedal us both around for some short trips out of town. I am aware that having two freewheeling mechanisms on a tandem is super complicated and expensive.
So, is there an easy/cheap and reversible/temporary way to either:

Somehow disconnect the stoker cranks from the drive train, such that they either spin freely or are fixed, such that the stoker can use them as footrests
Provide a different and comfortable way of adding footrests for the stoker, possibly with the pedals removed.

As mentioned, simply removing the timing chain and switching seats isn't possible for us.
I solved a similar issue on my tandem. Measure the frame tubes. If you are lucky you may find one of them is the same size as a handlebar stem. In my case I bolted a 1 1/8&quot; x 1 1/8&quot; stem in an appropriate area for a foot rest. I then cut a straight (no sweep) 1 1/8&quot;  handlebar to about 14&quot; long and installed it in the stem, I then added handlebar grips so my stoker's feet won't slip off and to make mounting the bike easier. The stoker can pedal as long as they can, then take a rest without cranking.