Bike-sharing Programs are both Beneficial and Risky

Bicycle-sharing programs have become popular in cities large and small across the United States, with recent programs rolling out in 2015 in Atlanta¹ and Philadelphia, and future programs planned in Detroit² and Louisiana. These programs provide kiosks around the city with bicycles that individuals can rent and return at any other kiosk that is convenient for them. Bike-sharing not only gives visitors a fun, easy, and cost-effective way to see the area, but also encourages residents to commute to work or school using the shared bikes, thereby reducing traffic and pollution.

While bicycle and transportation experts widely tout the benefits of these programs for the host cities, bicycle-sharing also presents risks for both riders and motorists alike. Anyone injured in a bicycle accident should discuss their case with an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

No helmets for rent

The first major issue with most bicycle-sharing programs is that they do not provide helmets to rent along with the bikes. Providing helmets does present some logistical issues, including hygiene concerns and the variety of sizes that would be required to accommodate different riders. However, the lack of helmets only increases the amount of bicyclists on the roads with little to no protection in the event of a collision.

Inexperienced riders

Many individuals or families rent bikes for the day from bike-sharing kiosks because they do not own bicycles themselves. Unfortunately, not owning a bike often means that a person does not have extensive experience riding a bike on roadways alongside traffic. Bicyclists who do not understand the rules of sharing the road can cause dangerous situations that may lead to collisions.

Inadequate bicycle maintenance

The companies that run bike-sharing programs are also responsible for maintaining hundreds or even thousands of bikes. If a company fails to inspect and maintain the brakes, tires, steering systems, and other parts on the bikes, injuries can occur to riders.

Contact an experienced personal injury attorney in Cumming, Georgia today

Both bicyclists and motorists can sustain serious injuries in collisions that result from negligence related to bike-sharing programs. Please contact an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Cumming, Georgia to discuss a potential legal claim today. We offer free consultations, so please call Boling Rice LLC at 770-887-3162.

¹http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/morning_call/2015/03/atlanta-bike-sharing-program-to-launch-with-500.html

²http://www.metrotimes.com/Blogs/archives/2015/08/24/detroit-to-get-bike-sharing-program