Guest bike use legal issues

[Hotel-Manitoba0]

Hi,

I am a host in Vancouver, Canada.

A guest has recently asked if he could borrow one of our bike intermittently while staying with us. I've read a previous post that suggests I should collect a security deposit from him during his stay incase of theft or if the guest damages the bike, but on the flip side of that, what are the legal ramifcations against me if a guest borrows my bike and it somehow malfunctions causing an accident and/or harm to the guest? Would I be liable considering that an argument could be made that my bike caused the harm and/or accident?

For now I am just going to deny the guest use of my bike, but if I found out that I am not liable then I would let him use the bike during his stay and collect a security deposit.

Thanks

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

You are fully liable if a guest has an accident due to any fault with your bicycle. 

Having the guestv sign a disclaimer is meaningless.

Find a local bike hire company and point them in that direction.

[Sandra126]

Ring your insurance company. Mine has no issues with lending bikes, no extra fees or anything, as long as the bike comes with a helmet.

[Melanie58]

I think it is a reasonable concern, especially if you host international tourists - transportation accidents are by far most common among tourists because they simply may not understand rules of the road which vary significantly country to country.  I think the suggestion about helmets is important too - especially if they are required by law.