As New York City gears up to launch their bikeshare program they are considering whether or not helmets would be required when using a rented bike.  Check out this New York Times article with some of the details.

This brings up an interesting debate.  Should helmets be required?  Is it reasonable for the person that wants to ride uptown  instead of drive for an afternoon meeting to carry a helmet around with them?  What about people that are sightseeing?  Is it practical for visitors of the State Museum that then want to ride down to the AquaDuck tour strap a helmet to their camera bags?  It’s possible that requiring a helmet would discourage people from using bikeshare bikes.

Let’s take a look at the two sides.

The point behind a bikeshare program is to get more bicycles on the streets, make bicycles available, and to provide a convenient travel mode.  It makes sense that the more bikes that are on the street, the more drivers will be aware of them and thus everyone is safer.  Bikeshare bikes are usually ‘cruiser’ types equipped with lights and bells.  People will not be racing down hills or between cars, the bikes wouldn’t let them.

The flip side deals with administration and safety.  If a municipality has an existing helmet law for privately owned bikes on the roadways, how can anyone expect it to be different for municipally owned bikes?  Would the law(s) be amended to exclude bikeshare bikes?   In terms of safety, we’ve been pushing proper helmet use and fitting for years.  Would a change in mindset be needed and could it be made in time?  It would probably be a tough sell to convince some that riding without a helmet is safer when considering the potential for car/bike conflicts and the possibility of head injuries. 

Does the fact that more bikes being on the road (which increases safety) outweigh the safety and injury concerns?  Safety, at least in transportation circles, usually is focused around the data…the hard facts.  Should data be the decision maker or should data be part of the equation when a municipality makes an informed decision? 

As Grist says, “bike sharing is too good an opportunity to let pass.  It’s sustainable, healthy, and doesn’t require extra parking garages or oil imports

What do you think?