Bike Share Programs in Bay Area

Last summer Lyft rebranded all of the pedal-assist bikes in the Bay Area from the previously named Ford GoBikes to Bay Wheels bikes. However, in November 2019 The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the pedal-assist bikes were being taken off of the streets due to brake problems and battery issues. Now, according to the San Francisco Examiner, there are 8,500 bikes in Lyft’s fleet, including 4,000 e-bikes.

How to Stay Safe While Riding A Bike Share

Bike share programs allow people to redesign their commute and enjoy riding even if they cannot own a bike. However, there are safety issues when you jump onto a shared bike. For instance, you may not be used to how it handles, and it is likely to handle poorly if you do not take the time to adjust the seat height. On Lyft’s website, they encourage riders to:

• Wear a helmet;
• Plan a sensible route that takes advantage of bike lanes and quieter streets;
• Do a pre-ride check to ensure the tires are not flat, the seat is the correct height, and the brakes are functioning;
• Obey California law and traffic signals;
• Ride with traffic;
• Stay off the sidewalks;
• Yield to pedestrians;
• Use hand signals to indicate your intentions; and
• Do not ride while on your phone or otherwise distracted.

What to Do If You are Injured on a Bay Wheel Bike 

There are two common ways to become injured while riding on the Bay Area streets. One is that a driver hit you and the second is that the bike is broken and causes you to crash. If you are hit by a driver, you need to call the police so that they can investigate the scene and take witness statements. In both scenarios, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. If your injuries are not so severe that you can remain on the scene for a short period of time afterwards, we encourage you to take pictures of the scene and especially the bike’s condition. If possible, notify Lyft that you crashed on the bike so they can do maintenance on it before the next rider takes it out. Next, it is time to seek legal counsel.

Contact the Bay Area Personal Injury Attorneys At Solution Now Law Firm

A qualified attorney can help you determine whether or not you have a personal injury case. By signing the waiver to ride a Bay Wheel, you acknowledged that Lyft cannot be held liable for your injuries. However, if you are hit by a negligent driver, you may be able to file a personal injury claim for compensation. If your crash was caused by a pothole or some other roadway concern that the city failed to fix, you may be able to file a claim with the city. The San Jose personal injury attorneys at Solution Now Law Firm can listen to your case and advise you on what steps to take next. Contact us to schedule a free consultation today.

Resources:

lyft.com/bikes/bay-wheels/rules-of-the-road

sfexaminer.com/news/lyft-corners-temporary-bikeshare-monopoly-in-san-francisco/

sfchronicle.com/business/article/Lyft-s-Bay-Wheels-to-resume-e-bike-rentals-in-SF-14821170.php

https://solutionnowlawfirm.com/blog/types-of-car-insurance-in-california/