Bollards along cycling lanes

Diabhalta

Alright so what's the story with these?

First of all it looks horrible, second it just looks stupid.

It really isn't a good idea, basically an eyesore and it's everywhere.

...and here's why it's wrong:

how do you overtake a slower cyclist(s)? You don't. Unless there's a gap big enough to do that so I guess you have to be patient.

you can do that here I guess, but you gotta be quick:

They are in the way so the bus driver has to pull into the bus stop like this. I guess you have to watch your step when you're getting on.

Particulary here on Harbourview road it's a perfect example. You can't drive around a car that stops to turn. Buses and lorries couldn't do that anyway, but in a car you could do that. So now you have to stop and accelerate from a standstill if there's an obstacle ahead of you. You basically create more emissions because you have to use the first gear, it was definitely more rational to drive around a car using the cycling lane, now you burn more fuel as a result.

By the way, absolute miminum people cycle on Harbourview road. 2-3 per hour is too much, but you have hundreds of cars driving up and down this road every hour. Cycling is definitely more environmentally friendly, but stopping cars on a busy road to make them all burn more petrol definitely isn't. So this is the biggest downside of putting these bollards (almost) everywhere.

This guy knows what's going on so I was able to drive around him, but it was really close. Most people did this before these bollards were put on the road, everyone knows there's cars behind them and those people want to keep going so you drive closest to the center line you can to let them through.

thanks seat driver, that was cool. Hopefully most people will keep doing this, but it's pain in the hole most of the times. I am just hoping nobody will be turning when I drive here. Like seriously, wtf.

Diabhalta

Also, who is gonna be cleaning them? In Ballincollig they are quite dirty already, what are they gonna look like after the winter? Birds sit on them and sh1t on them. Just weird to look at.

Who is gonna clean them one by one so? I would like to know. They are like one month old and already somewhere they are bent and broken. What are they gonna look like in two or three years?

Diabhalta

...seriously, what a monumental waste of money. Some farmer should mow them down with his jeep and the council should take it all away and recycle it.

Douglas Eegit

If people didn't park in a cycle lane 'just for a few seconds' there would have been no need for these.

Just like any cycle lane you don't have to cycle on it but having dedicated 'safe' areas it encourages more people to get up on their high Nelly

Mardyke

You don't have much going on in your life, Diabhalta?

Go for a cycle...

johnmcdnl

A wild idea here - perhaps one of the main reasons why not many people cycle is because many drivers behave exactly like you describe - using the cycle lane as an overtaking lane when it suits. All it takes is a single driver does that and doesn't see me on my bicycle, I'm potentially going to the morgue. Maybe if I'm lucky I'll get away with a trip to the hospital. The car might have it's paint scratched if they're unlucky.

How exactly have they been bent and broken? Was it by a car hitting them by any chance? Is it that hard to drive down a road without driving into them? Because if it is, it's a perfect example of why they are actually needed to separate cars from cyclists in the first place.

If you think they are an eyesore, perhaps you have an alternative design that you could suggest that also improves safety for cyclists.

The idea that they are bad for pollution are comical. Perhaps if you are worried about emmisions you could look at cycling yourself. But I'm sure you'll be back to respond with some justification as to why your special circumstances in life explain why cycling isn't suitable for you, and therefore your justification is more important to cater for than others who can and will benefit from the instillation of these bollards.

Fighting Tao

In fairness he has a point. They should be made of something stronger than plastic so they cause huge damage to the car of any driver hits them.

Flinty997

I like the way in this whole rant the only thing that isn't blamed for pollution is the only thing creating it. The car. Lol.

the beer revolu

Being unable to get past cars that are stopped to turn right is, I agree, extremely annoying.

I my experience, the cause of this is ignorant, unaware drivers who seem to have no idea that their right wheels should be right up to the central line. It's a constant annoyance and is caused by stupid drivers, not bicycle lanes, segregated or not.

Some roads are just too narrow to allow for this passing. The cause of this is usually cars parked on one or both sides of the road - op, how come you don't rage at roadside parking?

This is way more common than segregated cycle lanes.

Diabhalta

I see the cyclists are here in full force this morning... why aren't you out there cycling? Oh wait, it's raining...

machiavellianme

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117879885#Comment_117879885

It's not raining? A bit cloudy but that's about it.

Diabhalta

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117879259#Comment_117879259

Well this isn't clearly a case on Harbour view road is it?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117879316#Comment_117879316

Well I would but it's raining now. And in general rain isn't good for any outdoor activity. When you look at the weather forecast on Friday to see what the weather is like on Saturday and Sunday when you want to go on a hike which day are you gonna pick if it's supposed to rain on Saturday huh?

It's that simple.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117879326#Comment_117879326

Cars have wing mirrors, vast majority people use them you know. Of course I am not gonna put a cyclist in danger just because I want to drive around a car. You can hurt yourself in many ways, you are overtaking a slower cyclist, won't make it in time back in front of him, you'll lose balance and you get impaled by one of these plastic bollards.

Is there really a need to improve safety with bollards covered in dirt and bird sh1t? Btw. like I said there's almost nobody using those cycle lanes on Harbour view road. So who are we keeping safe here exactly? It's on top of a hill, if anybody wants to go to work in Apple they'll take a bus. From 1000 people how many cycle to Apple? 1-2?

They are bad for pollution, it's not an idea but it's a fact. Cars have to stop and accelerate from a standstill, they can't just continue driving like before. You burn more fuel accelerating from a standstill. Fact, not an opinion. These are two completely different things.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117879332#Comment_117879332

So somebody falls on them and get seriously hurt? There would be so many lawsuits that those bollards would literally dissapear overnight. Guaranteed.

----------------

I would like to get my hands on the CCTV footage from one of the Applegreen's cameras to see how many cyclists are actually using those lanes. I would watch all the footage from monday to friday (fast forwarded of course) and count how many people cycle there. How many per week? A 100? And how many in January or February? 10? You know those months when you cycle for 5 minutes and your nose is all snotty and it's just freezing cold.

This madness needs to stop.

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117879943#Comment_117879943

What utter crap!

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117879885#Comment_117879885

You are assuming most cyclists are leisure cyclists whereas the reality is that most people who cycle regularly do so to commute or shopping or some other activity.

They will do this in all forms of weather! (There is no bad weather, just bad clothing!)

Diabhalta

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117879979#Comment_117879979

um, no. Most cyclists deliver food to customers. Deliveroo, Just eat. Look around next time when you're on st. patrick's street.

I think I'll just go and drive around Cork to look for cyclists just to prove you wrong.

Diabhalta

If these bollards are such a good idea why aren't they using them in Holland?

Fighting Tao

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117880005#Comment_117880005

Because their drivers aren’t as entitled and dangerous as in Ireland.

How many people fall on plastic bollards? Why they are better than solid ones that would damage a car when a driver hits them.

Diabhalta

Dublin residents seek removal of "distasteful" cycle bollards.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/dublin-residents-seek-removal-of-distasteful-cycle-bollards-1.4388601

ireallydontknow

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117879316#Comment_117879316

Ah, the classic Oirish put down. 'Mustn't be much fun at parties,' etc.

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117880048#Comment_117880048

What's your point? Unfortunately bollards such as these are needed on routes where you have a mix of cyclists and cars. The reality is that there are too many entitled drivers who casually drive past cyclists not giving sufficient space. As the recipient of such passes, it's scary as hell. However, it has been shown that because if the risk of damaging their paintwork, drivers will give space when driving alongside the bollards. Sad but true. The fact that a few residents don't like them does not negate their benefit. Ideally however, full segregation would be put in place but as you can see from the likes of Sandymount, some people simply are just too self centred to want to give up their road space and come up with all forms of excuse. Kinda like your above posts.

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117878450#Comment_117878450

would you just look at all those motorists being held up in that photo by the wands. it'd make you weep.

o1s1n

I agree they're ugly but as a city centre cyclist they do make me feel a hell of a lot safer.

Some spots in Dublin had the long vertical poles removed but the things they were mounted in on the ground are still there, so you still have a segregated cycle lane without the eyesore that is the vertical poles - I thought that was a good happy medium.

Diabhalta

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117880034#Comment_117880034

Of the 148 fatalities, there were 62 Drivers killed, 26 Passengers, 32 Pedestrians, 17 Motorcyclists and 10 Pedal Cyclists.

10 cyclists in 2020, in a country of 5 million people. Give me a break.

the beer revolu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117879885#Comment_117879885

Not everyone who favours better cycling and pedestrian infrastructure is a cyclist.

While I do own a bicycle, I very rarely us it but I drive almost daily. Despite this I am all for any measures that restrict the numbers of cars in the city centre and measures that slow down traffic in the city centre, making it safer and more pleasant for pedestrians and cyclists.

Fighting Tao

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117880113#Comment_117880113

Eh? You are the one that said that people fall on them and hurt themselves.

also, have you stats for the number of accidents where cyclists and pedestrians are injured by motorists?

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117880113#Comment_117880113

Is this the same road...

https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-40339175.html

https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-news/woman-lucky-escape-car-flips-21056726

Diabhalta

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117880768#Comment_117880768

yes, that's the road... where two crashes happened in one and half year. Given the volume of traffic on daily basis two crashes are acceptable.

btw. I passed the first crash in February 2020. Fellas were going crazy fast in the middle of the night and fled the scene leaving the girl behind. It could have happened anywhere so it's not the road's fault.

Diabhalta

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117880213#Comment_117880213

bollards don't restrict numbers of cars in the city nor slow them down.

Seth Brundle

Given the volume of traffic on daily basis two crashes are acceptable.

Acceptable to whom? As a vulnerable road user, I do not accept it!

Diabhalta

So here you have it, it was straight just two days ago.

It doesn't matter who is causing this. Cars, pedestrians, cyclists, whales, aliens... they are out there for 6 weeks only, mark my words this will get only worse and worse...

Diabhalta

btw. here you have two cyclists cycling on a footpath. Not using the road at all.

wE nEeD moAr cYcliNg lAneS 💩

Diabhalta

Why isn't there a cycling lane with bollards in Farranree? Too many driveways? The hill is too steep for cycling?

here is a very rare sight on top of a hill, a Deliveroo guy on his electric bike... lonely cowboy...

of course it's an electric bike, who would cycle up that hill on a regular bicycle? That's why there's almost nobody cycling on this road...

Seth Brundle

I'm not sure why you think photographing roads is a good use of your time but anyhow.

As for the people cycling on the footpaths, why do you think they might be doing that?

As for the "lonely cowboy" cycling up a hill, firstly it's not much of a hill but more importantly, are you expecting massive crowds? Why are you also not asking why there any drivers using the road?

The infrastructure needs to be built before many will choose to leave the car at home and cycle. That's a reality of life.

Your anti cycle infrastructure bias is pointless given the massive need for them coupled with the climate crisis.

magicbastarder

you need a hobby. ever considered taking up cycling?

corks finest

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117879326#Comment_117879326

I gave up cycling as it’s just too bloody dangerous , taking your life in your hands cycling,

only ppl with cop on are ex cyclists or those who are motorbike drivers or who cycle, your average car driver hasn’t a clue, drive too close, cut you up, open doors without even glancing etc

TheChizler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117882253#Comment_117882253

I'm not sure why you think photographing roads is a good use of your time but anyhow.

Take a look at their pothole thread, it's an underappreciated art form.

Wildly Boaring

If you think these bollards are an eyesore wait till you see a Daewoo or even worse a Ssangyong

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117882172#Comment_117882172

Almost no cars in those photos either. Maybe no one drives there either. Perhaps it should be pedestrianized.

Also even though its a wide road. Someone has felt the need to park 100% on the pavement.

Fighting Tao

The OP has abandoned this thread for an identical one in the motor forum as the responses didn’t back up his thoughts here.

TheChizler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117888396#Comment_117888396

Smart.

Ashbx

My partner was cycling in one of these designated cycling lane with bollards and was still knocked down by a driver. The driver said he was so focused on trying to squeeze through the bollards to go into a driveway that he just didnt look to see if there was a cyclist. The bollards are nothing but a distraction for drivers.

They are a complete waste of money and just cause more havoc on the roads.

Fighting Tao

So the driver was incompetent and blamed their inability to drive safely and poor observation skills on the bollards?

TheChizler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117888450#Comment_117888450

Before these bollards went in my fianceé would only cycle on greenways but now she feels safe enough to cycle to work, and is slowly getting braver on non-protected lanes. Without the bollards she'd just be another driver (causing more havoc!). The bollards are ugly and shouldn't be necessary but they're doing their job brilliantly.

It's like some people are seemingly obsessed with bollards along cycle lanes. They're a standard piece of infrastructure in most modern cities.

I mean do you also have a problem with lampposts? They're also metal poles and are often ugly.

Are traffic lights ugly?

How about road signs?

Lines on roads?

The telephone poles and wires strung across streets?

Chimneys.. many of them are eyesores.

A lot of houses are hideous.

Where do you want to stop?

A city without cycle ways in my view just comes across as backwards looking. The addition of cycle ways in Cork suddenly made the place feel a lot more modernly European looking. So has the outdoor dining.

Flinty997

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117888450#Comment_117888450

I think (AFAIK) with or without bollards the number one cause of collisions between cyclists and motorists is motorists not seeing the cyclists.

IMO, I think this is because they've become used to NOT looking or checking for cyclists in their visual scan. The driver is simply not looking.

In your example, the driver has become complacent about ignoring road signage and warning signs. They are not understanding their purpose.

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117888450#Comment_117888450

The driver is incompetent but yet people are still happy to allow them to continue driving a large metal box at speed.

As for the bollards causing havoc on the roads - an inanimate object doesn't do this. People driving at a speed unsuited for the conditions does. If the bollards were removed and there was a cyclist at the same point as one of the bollards, how come the driver would not have the same challenge in passing?

cc

I'm loving them, I can cycle from Cobh to South Mall in 50 mins via passage on mostly protected cycle lanes and Greenway or 40 mins to where I work in Mahon. I take the car some days when I need to ferry kids around after school, best of both worlds.

timmyjimmy

Mrs loves them. We live in Ballintemple and she works in the Mercy. There is nearly protected cycle ways all the way from our house to work. These bollards are not just for leisure cyclists, they are also safe passage ways for people going to work. Lots of her colleagues in the Mercy cycle to work, remember that people using lanes could be some of our essential workers over the last 1.5 years, they may p!ss off some but i'd rather they get to work safely than get knocked down by an impatient motorist. Also they quicker than driving a car from Ballintemple and parking in the city centre.

Diabhalta

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117882253#Comment_117882253

To highlight an issue maybe? It's screenshots from dashcam, it takes few seconds. so....

It's not anti cycle, it's anti stupidity. But this whole cycling thing is exagerrated. Cycling is not that popular as people might think (and by people avid cyclists, just because you love cycling doesn't mean vast majority of people in Cork do). These bollards just make no logical sense. They are not needed, they are ugly and it's just a stupid idea.

I also cycle, recreationally, when the weather is nice. But I never do what I hate what others are doing. Like breaking red lights and cycle on a footpath slaloming around pedestrians.

Not expecting crowds, but why building such infrastructure when you have 1-2 people per hour cycle on that road.

"before many will choose to leave the car at home and cycle" .... ok let me burst your bubble, that will never happen. Many reasons. 1. it costs somewhere between 4-5 euro per day to run a car. Insurance, motor tax and NCT. No maintenance/parts included so it's more than that. The cost to run a car is so high that people just won't cycle. Government would have to get rid of the motor tax to lower the cost 2. More than 1/3 of cork city is hills. 3. Weather

Just because you love cycling and you're into it doesn't mean it popular in general. 200K+ people in and around Cork but how many cycle in daily basis to work/shop etc.? 1%? or is it more? 3% perhaps?

and btw. I think unfortunately a lot of cyclists are just idiots.... that's not my opinion, that's a fact based on simple observation.

Here are some recent examples, again from my dashcam.

This suicidal maniac crossed the road right in front of that Audi. Driver in an Audi had to break to avoid collision. The guy on a bicycle just went for it without even thinking what he's doing is wrong. Insane behaviour.

here, typical behaviour. Breaking the red light, not a biggie...

Turning left onto St. Patrick's, this guy nonshalantly coming at me from the right. And I am looking at him like excuse me do you mind, can I drive my car here?

only to go straight into the crowd seconds later, btw. that woman on his right had to stop walking because he was such an idiot that he just completely ignored her.

followed by a guy on an electric moped type of thing... nothing unusual here right? completely normal to go among walking people.

Cyclists this cyclists that... just shut your mouth and stay at the side of the road or in a cycling lane. If you want to use the footpath walk next to the bike like a normal human being.

Diabhalta

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117888529#Comment_117888529

How many mondern cities you visited? Go on google maps and see for yourself, they are not in "most modern cities" ... you're delusional if you think otherwise.

Diabhalta

Here's another one knocked down (possibly by a lorry driving through a junction that's been re designed and isn't suitable for lorries and buses anymore).