Post by High Priestess on Sept 20, 2015 7:29:49 GMT
Allison shared 9 months ago on New HOsts FOrum
Allison
Offering bikes with listing?
Do any of you offer bikes for use? Do you have any liability waivers, or caveats?
I have a couple of old bikes I was thinking of fixing up for guests. I have an extra lock, but just my own personal helmet, which I wouldn't want to loan.
Do you describe them in the listing, or just as an extra when people get to your home?
I'm willing to go the extra mile to make sure all the "expected" things are in place for a guest's stay, but I don't want the bikes to be one of them. If one of them sprung a flat or were stolen, there'd just be one fewer available. So I'm a little iffy about mentioning them in the listing. At the same time, if they're aware in advance, they could bring a helmet with them. Thoughts?
How can I tell if I'm one of the hosts who can offer extra paid amenities? Where would I see that in my listings?
10 comments•1 like
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Donna
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Julie and Eric
Julie and Eric9 months ago
Thanks to a guest's suggestion and Deborah's advice, I use Spinlister. No one has taken me up on it, though. I have them listed there at $35/day for which I'd give guests a 90% discount, and I mention them in my listing and the "thanks for sending the signed lease" email.
Reply Like 3 replies Delete
Nic and Rach
Nic and Rach9 months ago
$3.50/day ? That's almost free Julie..
Julie and Eric
Julie and Eric9 months ago
That was the point - an expensive rate to discourage genpop, and to get a little cash from guests to cover any expenses.
Nic and Rach
Nic and Rach9 months ago
make sense...
Deborah
Deborah9 months ago
I offer a bike for use by guests. I have a lock and helmet that go with it. I rent it for $35-40 a month, or a minimum of $25 (eg if a guest wants it for only a week, I'd probably charge them $25). Usually they pay me directly for it, together with a cash security deposit for the bike in case it's stolen from them( I emphasize tha even if they lock it up with 10 locks, if I don't get it back, they are paying for it), but I also have the bike listed on www.spinlister.com which Julie mentions above. If a guest rents your bike thru Spinlister, then just as with Airbnb, they pay a small fee to that company as part of the rental. The advantage of doing it thru SPinlister is that you get insurance for the guest when they use it. SO if they have an accident while riding it and get hurt, you're covered, which would not be the case if you just rent it direct to them.
I use the money guests pay to rent my bike, to pay for repairs on that bike, eg tune-ups. I would ask guests to pay for a flat that they got while riding the bike -- their fault for that -- otherwise I pay for all repairs. I'm not profiting on the bike -- have probably made $140 on renting it and have paid $275 for tune ups, new tires, new seat, etc on it -- but it is something that is useful for guests.
I do also have some guests who stay long enough at my house that they actually buy a used bike while they're here -- I just had someone stay 2 weeks and surprisingly he got a bike from somewhere else to use for that short period of time.
There isn't a category on the listings for extra paid amenities --- that's something you just have to put in the listing description.
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Juliet and Ed
Juliet and Ed9 months ago
We are cyclists, and we are going to an Airbnb in Copenhagen in July. When I was choosing which place to book, I noticed that MANY hosts in Copenhagen offer the use of 2 bikes, and they don't seem to charge extra for this. Re helmets: in Europe (at least in Amsterdam, and along the Danube in Austria) people don't seem to worry about helmets.
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Donna
Donna9 months ago
I'm working on adding Vacation Rental to my farm policy, and one of the questions asked is if I offer bicycles. I'm thinking the answer needs to be "no" if the underwriter is asking the question, because the reason he's asking is to charge me for the liability. I called VRBO's insurance carrier, CBIZ...and they ask, too...but I think it's included. Bicycle accidents can be really serious, my younger brother almost died in one. The liability is huge, because if something goes wrong, the injuries are often not insignificant. My former accountant died on his bicycle. Don't think that because an accident didn't occur on your front lawn, that you wouldn't be liable if the equipment was owned by you. For $3.50 you want this to worry about? Guaranteed...if you were properly insured the insurance alone will cost you more than $3.50 per person per use.
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Julie and Eric
Julie and Eric9 months ago
Check the terms of the agreement on Spinlister to see if that covers your liability.
Deborah
Deborah9 months ago
I just thought of another possible way to avoid the problem Donna mentions of liability when offering a bike.
First, as I said, I believe if the guest rents your bike thru Spinlister you get liability coverage.
But another way to do it, would be to SELL The bike to the guest, with the agreement that when they are done using it, you'd buy it back from them again --- at a lower rate. So this transaction would essentially involve the same exact $ amount as the payment of security deposit and rent, except you'd be calling it selling the bike. That would then absolve you of all liability for it.
So you sell the bike to the guest for $250. Then when they are done with it you buy it back for $220. YOu've been paid a $30 amount for use of the bike, but during the time the guest used the bike, it was his, not yours, so then any accident he has on it is no longer your liability.
You could use language in your listing to avoid saying you "rent" a bike but rather indicate there's a bike to be had. Sold, as it turns out. But then perhaps resold.
Reply Like 4 replies•2 likes Delete
Nic and Rach
Nic and Rach9 months ago
brilliant idea Deborah i never of that.
Nic and Rach
Nic and Rach9 months ago
thought.. of that
Julie and Eric
Julie and Eric9 months ago
Terrific idea, and if the guest decides to keep it, just buy another on Craigslist!
Isabel
Isabel9 months ago
Wonderful idea!
Donna
Donna9 months ago
genious
Reply Like Delete
Allison
Allison9 months ago
Deborah, you have some of the most innovative solutions to things! I love it!
I'll think about it- thanks everyone!
Reply Like Delete
Deborah
Deborah9 months ago
Yes, I like to specialize in outwitting "the system"! Particularly when that "system" is the US' highly litigious landscape , and the way the US "justice system" rolls out the red carpet to the most peevishly and maliciously litigious amongst us who are believe that nothing bad happens for which someone cannot be found to be blamed for it and made to pay for it, and who are unwilling to be responsible for their own dufus-ness.
Reply Like Delete
Julie and Eric
Julie and Eric9 months ago
I really like the idea as well. Speaking of litigation, I can see a judge interpreting a sale agreement with the intent to buy back the bike in order to avoid liability as a rental. Just a cautionary FYI for those considering it.
Reply Like Delete
Donna
Donna9 months ago
If there's a way to keep the lawyers and judges busy, certainly in California it's been found. It's not just the lawyers, the judges themselves are just as responsible for the current miserable, third-world legal system climate. The judge will interpret the law within the constraints of avoiding a decision getting hosed...to benefit the legal system. Period. Renting out bikes is such a nice idea, until it blows up in someone's face. When I say no to farm requests: can we have a free boy-scout tour, can we help with planting seeds, can you teach us how to prune, can we make a third party reservation, long-term rentals (more than 29 days) etc., my no's are primarily based on liability and the wreckage that is the legal system in California. And as a public service, I never miss an opportunity to inform the public as to why they are being denied. When the laws change to reflect common sense and justice, then the public will be rewarded by being treated more warmly.
Reply Like Delete
Deborah
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
previous version w/o commenter names
Offering bikes with listing?
Do any of you offer bikes for use? Do you have any liability waivers, or caveats?
I have a couple of old bikes I was thinking of fixing up for guests. I have an extra lock, but just my own personal helmet, which I wouldn't want to loan.
Do you describe them in the listing, or just as an extra when people get to your home?
I'm willing to go the extra mile to make sure all the "expected" things are in place for a guest's stay, but I don't want the bikes to be one of them. If one of them sprung a flat or were stolen, there'd just be one fewer available. So I'm a little iffy about mentioning them in the listing. At the same time, if they're aware in advance, they could bring a helmet with them. Thoughts?
How can I tell if I'm one of the hosts who can offer extra paid amenities? Where would I see that in my listings?
Thanks to a guest's suggestion and Deborah's advice, I use Spinlister. No one has taken me up on it, though. I have them listed there at $35/day for which I'd give guests a 90% discount, and I mention them in my listing and the "thanks for sending the signed lease" email.
Reply 1
$3.50/day ? That's almost free
Reply 2:
That was the point - an expensive rate to discourage genpop, and to get a little cash from guests to cover any expenses.
Reply 3:
make sense...
Reply 4:
I offer a bike for use by guests. I have a lock and helmet that go with it. I rent it for $35-40 a month, or a minimum of $25 (eg if a guest wants it for only a week, I'd probably charge them $25). Usually they pay me directly for it, together with a cash security deposit for the bike in case it's stolen from them( I emphasize tha even if they lock it up with 10 locks, if I don't get it back, they are paying for it), but I also have the bike listed on www.spinlister.com which Julie mentions above. If a guest rents your bike thru Spinlister, then just as with Airbnb, they pay a small fee to that company as part of the rental. The advantage of doing it thru SPinlister is that you get insurance for the guest when they use it. SO if they have an accident while riding it and get hurt, you're covered, which would not be the case if you just rent it direct to them.
I use the money guests pay to rent my bike, to pay for repairs on that bike, eg tune-ups. I would ask guests to pay for a flat that they got while riding the bike -- their fault for that -- otherwise I pay for all repairs. I'm not profiting on the bike -- have probably made $140 on renting it and have paid $275 for tune ups, new tires, new seat, etc on it -- but it is something that is useful for guests.
I do also have some guests who stay long enough at my house that they actually buy a used bike while they're here -- I just had someone stay 2 weeks and surprisingly he got a bike from somewhere else to use for that short period of time.
There isn't a category on the listings for extra paid amenities --- that's something you just have to put in the listing description.
Reply 5:
We are cyclists, and we are going to an Airbnb in Copenhagen in July. When I was choosing which place to book, I noticed that MANY hosts in Copenhagen offer the use of 2 bikes, and they don't seem to charge extra for this. Re helmets: in Europe (at least in Amsterdam, and along the Danube in Austria) people don't seem to worry about helmets.
Reply 6:
I'm working on adding Vacation Rental to my farm policy, and one of the questions asked is if I offer bicycles. I'm thinking the answer needs to be "no" if the underwriter is asking the question, because the reason he's asking is to charge me for the liability. I called VRBO's insurance carrier, CBIZ...and they ask, too...but I think it's included. Bicycle accidents can be really serious, my younger brother almost died in one. The liability is huge, because if something goes wrong, the injuries are often not insignificant. My former accountant died on his bicycle. Don't think that because an accident didn't occur on your front lawn, that you wouldn't be liable if the equipment was owned by you. For $3.50 you want this to worry about? Guaranteed...if you were properly insured the insurance alone will cost you more than $3.50 per person per use.
Reply 7:
Check the terms of the agreement on Spinlister to see if that covers your liability.
Reply 8:
I just thought of another possible way to avoid the problem of liability when offering a bike.
First, as I said, I believe if the guest rents your bike thru Spinlister you get liability coverage.
But another way to do it, would be to SELL The bike to the guest, with the agreement that when they are done using it, you'd buy it back from them again --- at a lower rate. So this transaction would essentially involve the same exact $ amount as the payment of security deposit and rent, except you'd be calling it selling the bike. That would then absolve you of all liability for it.
So you sell the bike to the guest for $250. Then when they are done with it you buy it back for $220. YOu've been paid a $30 amount for use of the bike, but during the time the guest used the bike, it was his, not yours, so then any accident he has on it is no longer your liability.
You could use language in your listing to avoid saying you "rent" a bike but rather indicate there's a bike to be had. Sold, as it turns out. But then perhaps resold.
Reply 9:
brilliant idea i neverthought of that.
Reply 10:
Terrific idea, and if the guest decides to keep it, just buy another on Craigslist!
Reply 11:
Wonderful idea!
Reply 12:
genious
Reply 13:
Deborah, you have some of the most innovative solutions to things! I love it!
I'll think about it- thanks everyone!
Reply 14:
Yes, I like to specialize in outwitting "the system"! Particularly when that "system" is the US' highly litigious landscape , and the way the US "justice system" rolls out the red carpet to the most peevishly and maliciously litigious amongst us who are believe that nothing bad happens for which someone cannot be found to be blamed for it and made to pay for it, and who are unwilling to be responsible for their own dufus-ness.
Reply 15:
I really like the idea as well. Speaking of litigation, I can see a judge interpreting a sale agreement with the intent to buy back the bike in order to avoid liability as a rental. Just a cautionary FYI for those considering it.
Reply 16:
If there's a way to keep the lawyers and judges busy, certainly in California it's been found. It's not just the lawyers, the judges themselves are just as responsible for the current miserable, third-world legal system climate. The judge will interpret the law within the constraints of avoiding a decision getting hosed...to benefit the legal system. Period. Renting out bikes is such a nice idea, until it blows up in someone's face. When I say no to farm requests: can we have a free boy-scout tour, can we help with planting seeds, can you teach us how to prune, can we make a third party reservation, long-term rentals (more than 29 days) etc., my no's are primarily based on liability and the wreckage that is the legal system in California. And as a public service, I never miss an opportunity to inform the public as to why they are being denied. When the laws change to reflect common sense and justice, then the public will be rewarded by being treated more warmly.
AllisonOffering bikes with listing?
Do any of you offer bikes for use? Do you have any liability waivers, or caveats?
I have a couple of old bikes I was thinking of fixing up for guests. I have an extra lock, but just my own personal helmet, which I wouldn't want to loan.
Do you describe them in the listing, or just as an extra when people get to your home?
I'm willing to go the extra mile to make sure all the "expected" things are in place for a guest's stay, but I don't want the bikes to be one of them. If one of them sprung a flat or were stolen, there'd just be one fewer available. So I'm a little iffy about mentioning them in the listing. At the same time, if they're aware in advance, they could bring a helmet with them. Thoughts?
How can I tell if I'm one of the hosts who can offer extra paid amenities? Where would I see that in my listings?
10 comments•1 like
Following
Like
Donna
Delete
Hide
Julie and Eric
Julie and Eric9 months ago
Thanks to a guest's suggestion and Deborah's advice, I use Spinlister. No one has taken me up on it, though. I have them listed there at $35/day for which I'd give guests a 90% discount, and I mention them in my listing and the "thanks for sending the signed lease" email.
Reply Like 3 replies Delete
Nic and Rach
Nic and Rach9 months ago
$3.50/day ? That's almost free Julie..
Julie and Eric
Julie and Eric9 months ago
That was the point - an expensive rate to discourage genpop, and to get a little cash from guests to cover any expenses.
Nic and Rach
Nic and Rach9 months ago
make sense...
Deborah
Deborah9 months ago
I offer a bike for use by guests. I have a lock and helmet that go with it. I rent it for $35-40 a month, or a minimum of $25 (eg if a guest wants it for only a week, I'd probably charge them $25). Usually they pay me directly for it, together with a cash security deposit for the bike in case it's stolen from them( I emphasize tha even if they lock it up with 10 locks, if I don't get it back, they are paying for it), but I also have the bike listed on www.spinlister.com which Julie mentions above. If a guest rents your bike thru Spinlister, then just as with Airbnb, they pay a small fee to that company as part of the rental. The advantage of doing it thru SPinlister is that you get insurance for the guest when they use it. SO if they have an accident while riding it and get hurt, you're covered, which would not be the case if you just rent it direct to them.
I use the money guests pay to rent my bike, to pay for repairs on that bike, eg tune-ups. I would ask guests to pay for a flat that they got while riding the bike -- their fault for that -- otherwise I pay for all repairs. I'm not profiting on the bike -- have probably made $140 on renting it and have paid $275 for tune ups, new tires, new seat, etc on it -- but it is something that is useful for guests.
I do also have some guests who stay long enough at my house that they actually buy a used bike while they're here -- I just had someone stay 2 weeks and surprisingly he got a bike from somewhere else to use for that short period of time.
There isn't a category on the listings for extra paid amenities --- that's something you just have to put in the listing description.
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Juliet and Ed
Juliet and Ed9 months ago
We are cyclists, and we are going to an Airbnb in Copenhagen in July. When I was choosing which place to book, I noticed that MANY hosts in Copenhagen offer the use of 2 bikes, and they don't seem to charge extra for this. Re helmets: in Europe (at least in Amsterdam, and along the Danube in Austria) people don't seem to worry about helmets.
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Donna
Donna9 months ago
I'm working on adding Vacation Rental to my farm policy, and one of the questions asked is if I offer bicycles. I'm thinking the answer needs to be "no" if the underwriter is asking the question, because the reason he's asking is to charge me for the liability. I called VRBO's insurance carrier, CBIZ...and they ask, too...but I think it's included. Bicycle accidents can be really serious, my younger brother almost died in one. The liability is huge, because if something goes wrong, the injuries are often not insignificant. My former accountant died on his bicycle. Don't think that because an accident didn't occur on your front lawn, that you wouldn't be liable if the equipment was owned by you. For $3.50 you want this to worry about? Guaranteed...if you were properly insured the insurance alone will cost you more than $3.50 per person per use.
Reply Like 1 reply Delete
Julie and Eric
Julie and Eric9 months ago
Check the terms of the agreement on Spinlister to see if that covers your liability.
Deborah
Deborah9 months ago
I just thought of another possible way to avoid the problem Donna mentions of liability when offering a bike.
First, as I said, I believe if the guest rents your bike thru Spinlister you get liability coverage.
But another way to do it, would be to SELL The bike to the guest, with the agreement that when they are done using it, you'd buy it back from them again --- at a lower rate. So this transaction would essentially involve the same exact $ amount as the payment of security deposit and rent, except you'd be calling it selling the bike. That would then absolve you of all liability for it.
So you sell the bike to the guest for $250. Then when they are done with it you buy it back for $220. YOu've been paid a $30 amount for use of the bike, but during the time the guest used the bike, it was his, not yours, so then any accident he has on it is no longer your liability.
You could use language in your listing to avoid saying you "rent" a bike but rather indicate there's a bike to be had. Sold, as it turns out. But then perhaps resold.
Reply Like 4 replies•2 likes Delete
Nic and Rach
Nic and Rach9 months ago
brilliant idea Deborah i never of that.
Nic and Rach
Nic and Rach9 months ago
thought.. of that
Julie and Eric
Julie and Eric9 months ago
Terrific idea, and if the guest decides to keep it, just buy another on Craigslist!
Isabel
Isabel9 months ago
Wonderful idea!
Donna
Donna9 months ago
genious
Reply Like Delete
Allison
Allison9 months ago
Deborah, you have some of the most innovative solutions to things! I love it!
I'll think about it- thanks everyone!
Reply Like Delete
Deborah
Deborah9 months ago
Yes, I like to specialize in outwitting "the system"! Particularly when that "system" is the US' highly litigious landscape , and the way the US "justice system" rolls out the red carpet to the most peevishly and maliciously litigious amongst us who are believe that nothing bad happens for which someone cannot be found to be blamed for it and made to pay for it, and who are unwilling to be responsible for their own dufus-ness.
Reply Like Delete
Julie and Eric
Julie and Eric9 months ago
I really like the idea as well. Speaking of litigation, I can see a judge interpreting a sale agreement with the intent to buy back the bike in order to avoid liability as a rental. Just a cautionary FYI for those considering it.
Reply Like Delete
Donna
Donna9 months ago
If there's a way to keep the lawyers and judges busy, certainly in California it's been found. It's not just the lawyers, the judges themselves are just as responsible for the current miserable, third-world legal system climate. The judge will interpret the law within the constraints of avoiding a decision getting hosed...to benefit the legal system. Period. Renting out bikes is such a nice idea, until it blows up in someone's face. When I say no to farm requests: can we have a free boy-scout tour, can we help with planting seeds, can you teach us how to prune, can we make a third party reservation, long-term rentals (more than 29 days) etc., my no's are primarily based on liability and the wreckage that is the legal system in California. And as a public service, I never miss an opportunity to inform the public as to why they are being denied. When the laws change to reflect common sense and justice, then the public will be rewarded by being treated more warmly.
Reply Like Delete
Deborah
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
previous version w/o commenter names
Offering bikes with listing?
Do any of you offer bikes for use? Do you have any liability waivers, or caveats?
I have a couple of old bikes I was thinking of fixing up for guests. I have an extra lock, but just my own personal helmet, which I wouldn't want to loan.
Do you describe them in the listing, or just as an extra when people get to your home?
I'm willing to go the extra mile to make sure all the "expected" things are in place for a guest's stay, but I don't want the bikes to be one of them. If one of them sprung a flat or were stolen, there'd just be one fewer available. So I'm a little iffy about mentioning them in the listing. At the same time, if they're aware in advance, they could bring a helmet with them. Thoughts?
How can I tell if I'm one of the hosts who can offer extra paid amenities? Where would I see that in my listings?
Thanks to a guest's suggestion and Deborah's advice, I use Spinlister. No one has taken me up on it, though. I have them listed there at $35/day for which I'd give guests a 90% discount, and I mention them in my listing and the "thanks for sending the signed lease" email.
Reply 1
$3.50/day ? That's almost free
Reply 2:
That was the point - an expensive rate to discourage genpop, and to get a little cash from guests to cover any expenses.
Reply 3:
make sense...
Reply 4:
I offer a bike for use by guests. I have a lock and helmet that go with it. I rent it for $35-40 a month, or a minimum of $25 (eg if a guest wants it for only a week, I'd probably charge them $25). Usually they pay me directly for it, together with a cash security deposit for the bike in case it's stolen from them( I emphasize tha even if they lock it up with 10 locks, if I don't get it back, they are paying for it), but I also have the bike listed on www.spinlister.com which Julie mentions above. If a guest rents your bike thru Spinlister, then just as with Airbnb, they pay a small fee to that company as part of the rental. The advantage of doing it thru SPinlister is that you get insurance for the guest when they use it. SO if they have an accident while riding it and get hurt, you're covered, which would not be the case if you just rent it direct to them.
I use the money guests pay to rent my bike, to pay for repairs on that bike, eg tune-ups. I would ask guests to pay for a flat that they got while riding the bike -- their fault for that -- otherwise I pay for all repairs. I'm not profiting on the bike -- have probably made $140 on renting it and have paid $275 for tune ups, new tires, new seat, etc on it -- but it is something that is useful for guests.
I do also have some guests who stay long enough at my house that they actually buy a used bike while they're here -- I just had someone stay 2 weeks and surprisingly he got a bike from somewhere else to use for that short period of time.
There isn't a category on the listings for extra paid amenities --- that's something you just have to put in the listing description.
Reply 5:
We are cyclists, and we are going to an Airbnb in Copenhagen in July. When I was choosing which place to book, I noticed that MANY hosts in Copenhagen offer the use of 2 bikes, and they don't seem to charge extra for this. Re helmets: in Europe (at least in Amsterdam, and along the Danube in Austria) people don't seem to worry about helmets.
Reply 6:
I'm working on adding Vacation Rental to my farm policy, and one of the questions asked is if I offer bicycles. I'm thinking the answer needs to be "no" if the underwriter is asking the question, because the reason he's asking is to charge me for the liability. I called VRBO's insurance carrier, CBIZ...and they ask, too...but I think it's included. Bicycle accidents can be really serious, my younger brother almost died in one. The liability is huge, because if something goes wrong, the injuries are often not insignificant. My former accountant died on his bicycle. Don't think that because an accident didn't occur on your front lawn, that you wouldn't be liable if the equipment was owned by you. For $3.50 you want this to worry about? Guaranteed...if you were properly insured the insurance alone will cost you more than $3.50 per person per use.
Reply 7:
Check the terms of the agreement on Spinlister to see if that covers your liability.
Reply 8:
I just thought of another possible way to avoid the problem of liability when offering a bike.
First, as I said, I believe if the guest rents your bike thru Spinlister you get liability coverage.
But another way to do it, would be to SELL The bike to the guest, with the agreement that when they are done using it, you'd buy it back from them again --- at a lower rate. So this transaction would essentially involve the same exact $ amount as the payment of security deposit and rent, except you'd be calling it selling the bike. That would then absolve you of all liability for it.
So you sell the bike to the guest for $250. Then when they are done with it you buy it back for $220. YOu've been paid a $30 amount for use of the bike, but during the time the guest used the bike, it was his, not yours, so then any accident he has on it is no longer your liability.
You could use language in your listing to avoid saying you "rent" a bike but rather indicate there's a bike to be had. Sold, as it turns out. But then perhaps resold.
Reply 9:
brilliant idea i neverthought of that.
Reply 10:
Terrific idea, and if the guest decides to keep it, just buy another on Craigslist!
Reply 11:
Wonderful idea!
Reply 12:
genious
Reply 13:
Deborah, you have some of the most innovative solutions to things! I love it!
I'll think about it- thanks everyone!
Reply 14:
Yes, I like to specialize in outwitting "the system"! Particularly when that "system" is the US' highly litigious landscape , and the way the US "justice system" rolls out the red carpet to the most peevishly and maliciously litigious amongst us who are believe that nothing bad happens for which someone cannot be found to be blamed for it and made to pay for it, and who are unwilling to be responsible for their own dufus-ness.
Reply 15:
I really like the idea as well. Speaking of litigation, I can see a judge interpreting a sale agreement with the intent to buy back the bike in order to avoid liability as a rental. Just a cautionary FYI for those considering it.
Reply 16:
If there's a way to keep the lawyers and judges busy, certainly in California it's been found. It's not just the lawyers, the judges themselves are just as responsible for the current miserable, third-world legal system climate. The judge will interpret the law within the constraints of avoiding a decision getting hosed...to benefit the legal system. Period. Renting out bikes is such a nice idea, until it blows up in someone's face. When I say no to farm requests: can we have a free boy-scout tour, can we help with planting seeds, can you teach us how to prune, can we make a third party reservation, long-term rentals (more than 29 days) etc., my no's are primarily based on liability and the wreckage that is the legal system in California. And as a public service, I never miss an opportunity to inform the public as to why they are being denied. When the laws change to reflect common sense and justice, then the public will be rewarded by being treated more warmly.