handlebar (singular)

We have a late breakfast above a bike shop in Oxford - The Handle Bar Cafe.   The food is good and there are some amazing bikes hanging on the walls including some that would not look out of place in a museum.

I’ve often wondered why a single piece of metal tubing, sometimes straight but often curly, is referred to - when used to steer a bicycle - in the plural; ie a pair of handlebars. 

We’re up at 6.30 this morning for an early appointment at the Oxford Heart Centre.  I was rather hoping that they’d sign me off as the Gods of Arrhythmia have been quiet since Christmas.  But they want to see me again in 12 months time, just to be sure.  

Visiting Oxford is not really a hardship; there are plenty of nice places to eat and Anniemay’s always quite happy to wander round Sweaty Betty’s checking out the latest gym wear.  Oh - and there are a lot of fine old buildings as well.