When wheel share programs first began advance popularity in the U.S. about a decade ago , they were the target area of numerous safety concerns . Encouraginginexperienced bikersto voyage unfamiliar metropolis without a helmet sound like a formula for tragedy , but bike communion has since testify to be even safer than riding a cycle of your own . According to a new study reported byVox , the possible explanations for this may be just as surprising as the phenomenon itself .
There are 21 deaths for every 100 million cycling trips in the U.S. , and when looking at motorcycle share trips alone that number drops down to zero . Not only are you less probable to die while riding a public cycle , but the new report from researchers at the Mineta Transportation Institute [ PDF ] shows that hit and injury charge per unit are also down in at least three cities .
The author of the study suggested a few reasons for this vogue , some of which have been used by critics to argueagainstthe safety of motorcycle sharing in the yesteryear . A passenger ’s lack of experience , for instance , may actually terminate up work to his advantage . According to expert question by the research squad , less - experienced rockers also tend to be more cautious and peril - averse .
One of the most important factor that contribute to the safety of bike share-out is potential the bike itself . Bike sharing bicycles are heavier and inflexible , which makes them comfortably suit for pothole than the easy - free weight define gears most urban riders own . They normally come in bright , easy - to - spot colors and feature drum brake that perform better in blind drunk conditions . The slow - affect dealings of city , where most bike percentage program are focalise , could also make them less prostrate to accident .
Even with the impressive condom numbers , there ’s a lot metropolis can still do to encourage commuter to start out bike communion . Portland’sbike plowshare program will soon feature bikes that can be locked up anywhere , andLondonis planning to introduce laser - projecting cycles that illuminate the street in front of them .
[ h / tVox ]
