BEEF To the city for all the bollards everywhere making sure we drive ‘in the lines.’ How is it that these make our streets safer? Would this not delay an emergency vehicle?
The first thing that came to my mind when I read this in the Nanaimo News Bulletin's Beefs and Bouquets is that this driver doesn't think that it is important to stay between the lines. Staying between the lines is a fundamental skill for any driver. Managing space properly avoids collisions with others on the road, including cyclists and pedestrians who have a right to be on the edge of the roadway.
Example of Bollards in Nanaimo
Rigid and Flexible Bollards
A rigid bollard is a sturdy post that serves as a fixed barrier to prevent vehicles from entering a specific area. They are permanently installed and are designed to withstand significant impacts, making them ideal for long-term security and traffic management in high-risk areas.
A flexible bollard is a post designed to bend upon impact, absorbing energy and springing back to its original position. They are used for traffic calming, protecting bike lanes, and creating boundaries, as they minimize damage to vehicles and the bollard itself.
The Benefits of Flexible Bollards
- They can withstand repeated impacts.
- They absorb impact energy, which can prevent damage to vehicles and the bollards themselves.
- They have a longer service life and require less maintenance than rigid bollards.
- They can be used to create adaptable, multi-purpose public spaces that can be easily reconfigured for different uses.
Active Transportation Design
B.C.'s Active Transportation Design Guide has numerous examples that show the use of bollards as traffic calming measures and keeping drivers out of lanes that they don't belong in.
Commercial and Emergency Vehicles
If necessary, commercial vehicles can drive over flexible bollards in order to turn at intersections. The same applies to emergency vehicles and drivers pulling over to make way for them.
Emergency services are consulted as part of any municipal street design project to either insure access or to plan alternate routes to access the area.
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