After three years as Philly’s sole bike-share program, it looks as though Indego will soon be joined by bike- and scooter-share competitors, the likes of which may include Bird, Limebike, and Spin. In June, the City Council passed a bill to regulate and license dockless electric scooters, bike share, and pedal-assist bicycles. What will this mean for the city of Philadelphia, and for residents and visitors who wish to utilize the new system? Read on to find out.
How Dockless Bike & Scooter Share Works
In the coming months, Philadelphia’s City of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems will be tasked with finalizing the licensing requirements that will ultimately regulate the city’s dockless bike share program. If everything goes according to plan, the city should be stocked with self-locking bikes and electric scooters by the spring of 2019.
Because dockless systems operate differently from their Indego counterpart, which is a dock-based system, we must consider several “new” components of how the program will work:
- Many dockless bikes and scooters are self-locking, meaning the wheels automatically lock when not in use.
- Going dockless means riders won’t be required to pick up or return their bicycles and scooters at designated docking stations.
- Riders will utilize a smartphone app to find available bikes and scooters in their area, and then unlock them.
While these sound like major selling points, we can’t ignore the inherent drawbacks of this system. For starters, without fixed docking stations, there’s potential for the bikes and scooters to be left anywhere (and everywhere!). If abandoned in the middle of the street or piled up on a crowded sidewalk, the leftover bikes and scooters could pose a hazard to unsuspecting pedestrians and drivers. Furthermore, where the bikes and scooters are ridden could potentially endanger both riders and nearby passersby, as the city was not built with dockless modes of transportation in mind. This means that the design of some areas of Philadelphia might be risky to ride in!
Representation for Victims of Bird and Lime Scooter Accidents in Philadelphia
At Kwartler Manus, LLC, we care about maintaining the safety of our city and protecting its residents. We’ve watched as dockless bike and scooter programs have cropped up across the U.S., and we’ve prepared our practice for similar cases as those seen in San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.
While these programs offer a great opportunity for sightseeing and outdoor adventure, we must also be prepared for the potential dangers they pose. If you or someone you love is injured in a bike or scooter accident involving any of the following, do not wait to contact us for help:
- Rider struck by a car
- Pedestrian struck by rider
- Tripping over an abandoned bike or scooter
- Electric scooter defect
- Self-locking wheel malfunction
We can help victims seek damages to cover the cost of: medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and non-economic damages.
We’re available 24/7 to take your call. Contact us today at (267) 457-5570, or request a free consultation here.