Ride Share Cyclists Kept Safe By Reflective Vests

In major cities around the U.S

In major cities around the U.S. as well as the UK and major tourist destinations, there is a growing problem that is evolving into a war between motorists and those who ride bikes. Ride-share programs make bike rentals easily available, but many riders aren't prepared for moving among vehicles because they lack proper safety equipment. These service kiosks provide the bikes, but not the safety precautions and equipment for safe riding.

Unfortunately, there's a growing conflict that puts first-time riders at risk due to local traffic patterns. These situations product safety problems that aren't necessarily the fault of the bicyclists and pedestrians. Motorists want to be able to drive down the road, bicyclists want to be safe, and pedestrians want to be able to cross the street. All around the world people are complaining about everyone else.

Of all the cities around the world adopting these types of ride share programs, New York happens to have one the largest growing programs with over 7,000 bicycles and more than 600 kiosks city wide. For those who aren't fully prepared or knowledgeable of how to ride in a congested area, this can lead to a lot of risk without proper safety gear like garments with sew on reflective tape or reflective vests.

In many of the cities around the world, cyclists share the road with motorists. To do this, they have to follow standard laws regarding operation on a roadway or street. Some cities have even enacted regulations about high visibility clothing and the use of garments featuring reflective tape. Still however, some have no regulations - including no helmet laws.

Some cyclists feel that drivers are unable to adapt to a cultural shift where more people are riding bike. "There are still people that use their cars to intimidate and harass cyclists," said Greg Billing of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association. "They're upset with the change in the status quo of who's using the roads, and that's not acceptable."

In Miami Beach, city officials have consistently heard complains about novice riders using the bike-share program there. These novice riders can pose a risk for themselves as well as motorists they mingle with. "The cyclists will tell you there's a difference between a cyclist and someone who's just riding a bike," says city spokeswoman Nannette Rodriguez. "They're responsible; they got their equipment; they know what they're doing. They have reflective clothing and reflective tape on their gear. Then you got people who just get on a bike to go to the supermarket and just cross the street wherever."

The primary issue with drivers around the world, especially in the US, is that motorists feel as though bicyclists aren't following the rules of the road as they should. That can lead to additional safety issues when a motorists expects a cyclist to do one thing, but they perform another action and violate road laws.

"In certain cities, where they're very bike-friendly, you often see bikers asserting themselves maybe more than they should," says John Bowman, a spokesman for the National Motorists Association, a drivers' rights advocacy group. " Bicyclists need to look out for cars because they're most vulnerable," Bowman says. "In any type of conflict between a car and a bike, the car always wins."

by: Tom d thomas

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