Vending Machine Offers Helmets for Bike-Share Customers

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By Chelsea Stark2013-08-04 18:07:13 UTC

Bike-share programs are rising in popularity across the globe, but helmet use hasn't exactly caught up to match this trend.

In response, MIT students created HelmetHub, a vending machine that rents helmets to riders for just $2.

See also: Interactive Time-Lapse Map Tracks One Month of Citi Bike Usage

For those worried about cooties, helmets are marked for disinfecting as soon as they're returned to a vending machine. For a little more cash, users can also purchase a helmet right from HelmetHub.

Each solar-powered vending machine stocks 36 helmets in various sizes and colors, and notifies a central server whenever it's running low, or if helmets need to be picked up for cleaning. The machine also takes note if the helmets are damaged upon return, which means they'll be inspected before becoming available for public use again.

HelmetHub was implemented in Boston last month for the city's bike-share program. New York's burgeoning Citi Bike program also just announced a partnership with bike shop Bike and Roll to provide daily and weekly helmet rentals — a less high-tech solution to the no-helmet problem.

What do you think of the HelmetHub concept? Be sure to watch the video, above, for more information; then share your thoughts in the comments, below.

Image: Flickr, dno1967b

Topics: bikeshare, citi bike, public bike share, U.S., US & World, US & World