(Photo credit: ralev_com/SXC)
Bicycle sharing has grown exponentially since its introduction back in the 1960’s. To date, bike-share programs are available in more than 500 cities in 50 countries, according to the Economist.
Most of the programs have similar principles. An individual visits a docking station and rents a bike, either with a subscription or as a casual user. The cost of renting a bicycle typically involves a security deposit, along with usage fees for the amount of time a bicycle is rented.
While bicycle-sharing programs have been available in Europe for years, they only recently arrived in Canada with the first Bixi program in Montreal on May of 2009. There were also additional programs launched in London, Ont. on July of 2010, in Toronto on May of 2011 and in Ottawa on May of 2011. Vancouver’s city council also recently gave a program the green light and it’s expected to launch by early 2014. The trend is also catching on in the United States with urban cities such as San Francisco, Chicago and New York launching programs this year.
Cycling is growing quickly as a mode of transportation with the number of cyclists in Canada increasing over the past few years. In Ontario, more than 600,000 people cycle on their bicycles each day, according to Share the Road Coalition, a non-profit cycling coalition.
Unfortunately, tragic accidents can occur when cycling. A study conducted in Europe found that cyclists are eight times more likely to face a fatal injury per kilometre travelled compared to passengers in a motor vehicle. In Ontario, there were 129 cycling accidents between 2006 to 2010, according to a review released by the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario. In 2009, there were over 26,000 visits to Ontario emergency rooms from injuries related to cycling. While dooring incidents aren’t tracked by police, they are one of the reasons behind injured cyclists.
If you’re involved in a bicycle accident with a motor vehicle, “reverse onus” applies, which means that the driver needs to prove that they were not wrong in their actions.
As governments continue their efforts to make cycling safer for riders, whether it’s through designated bicycle lanes or mandatory side guards on trucks, it’s important to ride safely.
Unfortunately, bicycle accidents happen and can result in devastating consequences. Personal injury law firm Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers has over 40 years of experience in handling various injuries. We understand the impacts injuries can have on your life and we know how to help you. Call us at 416-920-4242. Set up a free consultation and come talk with us.
Greg Neinstein
Latest posts by Greg Neinstein (see all)
- Do I have a personal injury case? - April 23, 2019
- Are your insurance premiums high? Check your postal code - April 17, 2019
- This was an unusually harsh winter for slip-and-falls - April 11, 2019