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Bollards are a scourge on shared paths across New South Wales. Although sometimes warranted to reduce the risk of vehicles damaging an asset, many bollards are unnecessary.

And all bollards present a hazard to cyclists, particularly in the dark. Bicycle NSW Members are frequently hurt by bollards.

Bollards discriminate against those with diverse mobility requirements, for example those in wheelchairs, walking with trailers and prams and those with larger bicycles, cargo bicycles carrying children, e-bikes and tricycles. Their use often breaches the Disability Discrimination Act (1992).

Despite some recent wins in getting bollards removed, they keep popping up in new projects. 

The rule book for road engineers, The Austroads Guide to Road Design Part 6A: Paths for Walking and Cycling does not recommend bollards as traffic terminals or speed limitation on cycleways. This is due to the serious risks to bicycle riders and reduced access to personal mobility devices. And there are much safer and cheaper ways to slow bike riders.

Despite this, engineers and landscape designers often use bollards habitually, without really thinking about why.

We are working with Bicycle User Group Bike North to develop new guidelines to inform the use of bollards on cycling infrastructure. The guidelines will set out a fundamental principle: that project teams must consider not only the asset they are responsible for, but also the risks to the user.  A comparison must be made between these competing risks before deciding whether a bollard is warranted. Weight should be given to avoiding personal injury over the cost of repair.

Although the guidance will initially focus on state government projects, it will hopefully filter down through to council infrastructure.

What can you do to help?

Bicycle NSW has started a database of injuries caused by bollards to support our advocacy for change.

Please use this Google Form to record instances that you are aware of. They can be backdated.  If possible, add an image of the crash site.

You can also upload photos of good and bad bollards for our library. We also need as many examples as possible of bad – and best – practice from around the state.

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