Hire Bikes Are Booming, But Where Are the Helmets?

Hire bikes are transforming urban landscapes worldwide. They offer a convenient, eco-friendly way to navigate cities, cutting down on traffic congestion and carbon emissions. Locals and tourists alike have embraced them, but there’s a hidden danger in this cycling revolution: most riders don't wear helmets.

The stats don’t lie. Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 60% and fatal head injuries by 70%, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Yet, in 2023, the National Association of City Transportation Officials in the US found that fewer than 1 in 10 bike-share riders wear helmets. This trend is a sobering reminder that convenience shouldn’t come at the cost of safety.

Why is this happening? For starters, most bike-share schemes don’t include helmets. The bikes are easy to find from docking stations dotted across cities, but helmets? They’re the rider’s responsibility, and many simply don’t have one handy. Tourists and spontaneous riders, in particular, rarely plan ahead for head protection.

Then there’s the “cool factor.” Helmets are often seen as clunky, inconvenient, or unfashionable - a stereotype that could be costing lives. And let’s face it, when you’re hopping on a hire bike for a quick coffee run or a leisurely ride through the park, safety gear might not be top of mind.

What’s the solution? Cities and bike-share companies need to think outside the box. Imagine helmet vending machines at docking stations or campaigns that make safety fashionable. Then of course there are foldable helmets like ours. These measures could make a real difference.

Hire bikes are a brilliant step toward greener, more connected cities, but safety should always be part of the journey. Remember: a helmet might not make you feel stylish, but it will make you safer - and that’s a look that never goes out of style.