Will Tourists Bring Helmets on Their Holidays Just to ride in NYC?

Previously I have talked about the Citi Bike Share program to discuss my excitement and to talk about its effects on local businesses. amNY has another article this time discussing the concerns for riders safety. NYC currently has the highest fatality rate from bike wrecks in North America. One of the safety measures discussed includes mandating the use of helmets for all Citi Bike users.

I wonder, will tourists use the schemes if they are forced to wear helmets, which currently isn't the practice in London, Paris or Washington DC?

I certainly support safety measures but is having one rule for Citi Bike riders and one for other bike riders a mistake?

Will retailers still offer discounts to cyclists when CitiBike arrives in NYC?

In July the CitiBike bike share program will roll out over 7000 bikes across NYC. Currently hundreds of shops, cafes and bars are trying to lure cyclists with discounts and other incentives - a trend being driven by the Bloomberg administration's push to make NYC the biking capital of the East Coast. I wonder with the start of the CitiBike program, will retailers still offer the same discounts to cyclists? Will they not give them to people riding the CitiBikes? If this happens the tourists might miss out on the discounts as surely they will be the biggest users of the bike share program.

More information on the the discounts can be found on the amNY website with information on the CitiBike program found on Australian Abroad.

I think the CitiBike share is a great idea!

After using similar bikes in Paris, London and even Washington DC I am glad to hear that New York City will soon be rolling out the first stage of its bike share program sponsored by Citi. The bikes are so convenient for locals and tourists alike in the above mentioned places. They are an affordable and efficient alternative to catching a taxi and even public transport. Not only that but they help you burn off all those calories you over indulge on while on holidays. When I move to Paris I will certainly be purchasing a 1 year pass for the Velib bikes.

For a report on some of the details of the CitiBike please visit:
http://gothamist.com/2012/05/15/facts_and_stats_about_bike_share_in.php