Safety Not Required!

Hi everyone,

I heard on the news the other day, about the success of a new bicycle rental program in NYC. In the first seven weeks of the program over 1,000,000 bicycles have been rented. To date, the bike rental program has over 180,000 members. So far, the bikes that have been rented have clocked over 2,500,000 miles. Those are absolutely impressive numbers for a new program that just began seven weeks ago. With a city the size of the Big Apple, I expect that those numbers will multiply like rabbits. Even though there is some controversy over the placement of some of the rental locations, I believe on a whole, that the program will be beneficial to the company that owns the bikes. But will it also be beneficial to people who rent them? You would think so, but think again.

The most important safety feature that I believe should come with every bike rental doesn't. The safety feature is a helmet. Yes it is true that none of these bike rentals, rent helmets also. Helmets are not required. Of all places to ride a bike, it is even more important to wear a helmet in a highly congested area like NYC. All it will take is that one bike accident where the renter falls off a bike, or gets hit by some kind of motorized vehicle and hits their head. The lawsuits will fly fast and furious. Now, just to make sure that you understand, there are signs by the bike rentals that suggest helmets should be worn. But it is only a suggestion, not mandated. Where is their common sense regarding the proven aspect of wearing helmets can and do save lives? Oh right, they obviously don't have any. Shame on NYC for allowing such a business without including helmets to go along with each and every bike rental.

Okay, okay, I know some of you are probably thinking about how gross it would be to wear someone else's helmet. I would have to agree with you on that. What if the previous rider had lice or something worse? If there is even such a thing. Well, why can't the makers of helmets, make them with removable/disposable liners. Wouldn't that solve that problem? I think so. The obvious increase in the cost of the liners would increase the rental cost. But, wouldn't that be better than not wearing a helmet? Common sense says, no demands that bike riders should wear helmets. Eventually, the company and NYC will learn that lesson, probably sooner rather than later.

Til next week.

Peter