Bicycling is all the rage in South Florida, and Broward B-cycle is helping to fuel the fire. It’s a convenient and economical way to use bicycles and make short trips across town, through your neighborhood or to the beach. When residents and visitors use B-cycle for their errands or exercise, most of them don’t recognize that they’re increasing their risks for an accident.
B-cycles fit riders of all shapes and sizes. The rental bikes also come equipped with a front basket for storage. They’ve also got automatic lights to help keep you safe when it gets dark.
Our Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident lawyers know residents and visitors to the area are turning to B-Cycle for a healthier and more convenient way to get around. With these bike stations located throughout the area, bike sharing is easy. Thankfully, our program is the most affordable in the country. In just its first year in business, B-cycle helped to burn close to 3.5 million calories and kept more than 87,000 lbs of carbon dioxide from entering our atmosphere. Currently in Broward County, there are close to 300 bicycles at more than 25 stations in 6 cities, and it’s only getting bigger. So far, there have been more than 25,000 people to pedal throughout the city on a B-cycle.
As a B-cycle member, you can unlock any of the specially designed bikes at any station and ride it to any other bike station. Fast, simple, inexpensive. It’s no wonder bike sharing has exploded in popularity all over the world!
With a membership, you’re granted a B-card that can be used at any of the conveniently located bike-sharing kiosks. A B-card is a plastic card distributed to B-cycle annual members. The cards contain an RFID chip uniquely associated with each member’s account. When the B-card is presented at a B-cycle dock, the B-cycle system is queried to confirm that the member is in good standing and to associate the member with the bicycle they are checking out.
Still, bicycle-motor vehicle accidents are a serious problem. The United States has a particular problem with bicyclist deaths and injuries. Those riding rental bicycles in unfamiliar areas may be at particularly high risk.
Whether you ride a B-cycle or your own bicycle, whether you are on South Florida streets or the streets of your planned community, safety is important. Even if you are a driver that frequently shares the road with cyclists, being aware of the bicycle rules-of-the-road can keep you and those cyclists out of harm’s way.
Biking advocates often suggest new or rusty riders consider a biking class or lesson on bike safety, before joining a bike-share program.
“You may not forget how to ride a bike, but you could forget how to operate one,” says Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists.
If you or someone you love has been injured, contact Richard Ansara at 954 761-3641 or toll-free at 877-277-3780 for a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
More Blog Entries:
Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety a Worthy New Year’s Goal in Broward, Broward Injury Lawyer Blog, January 3, 2014
Bicycle Accidents in South Florida on the Rise, Broward Injury Lawyer Blog, December 12, 2013