You can take a look at it on Amazon. It is a fine mirror, but not because of aesthetics; rather because of effectiveness. But of course you can make your own choice, just as I have done.
Bollard Posts from Hell
- Thread starter Doggyman1202
- Start date
Doggyman1202
Active Member
I was about to give this a try (and it can't look any goofier than my helmet anyway, so the aesthetics don't matter to me) but Amazon lists three versions: Original, improved version, and compact. Which do you have?
Sorry, I didn't even know there were 3 versions. Good luck with your choice.
Doggyman1202
Active Member
While I like to think I've learned a few lessons in bollard avoidance since my crash, a few others have been less fortunate. A friend in Ca. forwarded this news story my way:
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/artic...ines-light-on-danger-of-trail-traffic-device/
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/artic...ines-light-on-danger-of-trail-traffic-device/
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
Unfortunately, the site you linked requires a subscription to read.
I'm not a fan of these traffic control devices either. I've never had a serious incident involving one but I did have a pannier torn off my bike once. Luckily, it didn't cause me to lose control and there was no significant damage to the pannier.
Some I encounter are closer than 38" apart though. For those, I dismount and walk the bike through. Most of the time, I ride very slowly just in case.
Doggyman1202
Active Member
I didn't have a pay-wall problem, (I use an ad blocker) but comments are limited to subscribers. Just as well, as most of the comments were totally irrelevant (cyclists are not courteous) or obnoxious (cyclists need to be more careful...yada yada). Those that think they're immune to accidents are likely in for a rude awakening at some point in their life. I'll also note that several of the serious accidents chronicled over the years involving bollards happened to experienced cyclists, including the case in the linked newspaper article.
In any case, the fact that there is controversy at all regarding their placement on trails, speaks for itself. I'm not opposed to barriers to restrict vehicular traffic at intersections, but the implementation typically is ill-conceived. (More enlightened municipalities are now using collapsible bollards). On the trails where I ride, there are also gates at the intersection. Having closely separated iron bollard posts on both sides of the gate in addition seems unnecessary. It's overkill.
One minor correction I've made to avoid another bollard post close encounter is to keep the bar end mirror tucked under the handlebar. Visibility is just as good, and I'm not focused on the mirror hitting the post, which is essentially what caused my mishap in the first place.
Last edited:
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
+1 on the EVT helmet mirror. I've been using them for several seasons on all of my helmets. The multi segment shaft is very flexible and can be shaped to fit helmets with visors. It's sturdy enough so it isn't easily knocked out of alignment but will collapse in a crash. They aren't cheap at $40 but worth the price IMO.
I did have a problem with a scratched mirror on one I have. It was due to my own carelessness, not a product defect. I contacted EVT about ordering a replacement mirror and they sent me a whole new unit free of charge!
I have a tendency to just throw my helmet in the back of my truck or on a shelf when not in use. To protect the mirror, I now use these small velvet drawstring bags during transport & storage:
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
Another dangerous factor with these bollards is spacing and design inconsistency. Just because you easily pass through one, doesn't mean you'll clear the next. For example, these two are located about a half mile apart on a local trail:
They look the same. I clear the first with 3" clearance on each side but on the next, there is less than an inch!
From the paint scrapes on the bollards, they get hit on a regular basis.
A few miles down, you encounter these:
A much safer design here since the bollards on both are below handlebar height. The swing gate design is good because it has no edges or corners to catch on. The dark green color is difficult to see in the shade though.
Continuing on, you find this these:
This design has a low lockable swing gate below handlebar height with plenty of space between bollards. The gate backstop in the first pic is only 5' from the bollard though which forces a sharp turn immediately after passing through.
All these designs accomplish the same thing by keeping out vehicles & ATVs yet some are much safer for cyclists. It's interesting to note that all are on the same 10 mile stretch of trail. No consistency at all. I can't help but wonder who designs these things? It certainly isn't anyone with cycling experience.
They look the same. I clear the first with 3" clearance on each side but on the next, there is less than an inch!
From the paint scrapes on the bollards, they get hit on a regular basis.
A few miles down, you encounter these:
A much safer design here since the bollards on both are below handlebar height. The swing gate design is good because it has no edges or corners to catch on. The dark green color is difficult to see in the shade though.
Continuing on, you find this these:
This design has a low lockable swing gate below handlebar height with plenty of space between bollards. The gate backstop in the first pic is only 5' from the bollard though which forces a sharp turn immediately after passing through.
All these designs accomplish the same thing by keeping out vehicles & ATVs yet some are much safer for cyclists. It's interesting to note that all are on the same 10 mile stretch of trail. No consistency at all. I can't help but wonder who designs these things? It certainly isn't anyone with cycling experience.
Doggyman1202
Active Member
Excellent pictures and post, 6z. Picture 3 looks like something that could have been on Too Stupid to Die, or Jackass! Picture 6 looks very similar to my mishap scenario, but instead of boulders to my left, I went over a cliff (or at least a very steep ledge).
I've been back in the saddle again for three months now, and one little lesson I try to remember, for avoiding close encounters with obstacles, is to concentrate on where I intend to go, as opposed to the spot I want to avoid. (A lesson I learned pitching baseballs as a kid. Look at the strike zone when releasing the ball, not the batter, or you'll wind up beaning the batter). This probably sounds elementary to most, but the mind tends to follow the eye, and distractions happen. With that said, I just get off and walk past these bollard posts if there's any doubt.
Amen to that!
I've been back in the saddle again for three months now, and one little lesson I try to remember, for avoiding close encounters with obstacles, is to concentrate on where I intend to go, as opposed to the spot I want to avoid. (A lesson I learned pitching baseballs as a kid. Look at the strike zone when releasing the ball, not the batter, or you'll wind up beaning the batter). This probably sounds elementary to most, but the mind tends to follow the eye, and distractions happen. With that said, I just get off and walk past these bollard posts if there's any doubt.
Come on, seriously? You can't avoid hitting a easily visible and avoidable bright yellow post? What a klutz. At least that is what I told myself when I clipped a pedal on one a while ago. It was a bit of a pucker moment. Thankfully I only got a temporarily sore foot out of it but that was entirely on me. I see they have been removed from a few paths that I've ridden recently.
Sparky731
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
We went riding in Killarney National Park in Ireland today. The trail bollards located in the center of the trail at intersections are less than 10” tall and heavily scuffed and scratched. Quite difficult to see. We had to watch carefully for them and call out to riders behind. I cannot imagine how many serious accidents have been caused to bikers, joggers, walkers, et al. How very safety-stupid that Parks Department is.
Doggyman1202
Active Member
"Entirely on me". I know. I cursed myself out as I hobbled away from my bike ("you stupid f***ing idiot"). Still, the narrow distance between posts, a stop sign just in front, and a ledge to my left was a trifecta "assist".
J.R.
Erstwhile
- Region
- USA
Paths and trails are being used by more people today than ever. My home rail trail is a destination trail with a steam engine excursion train and it has gates and bollards designed in the 1950's. I've never hit one, but I have seen others hit them. These trails are ridden by tourists that ride a handful of times a year. The county solved the problem by putting tiny signs near gates telling riders to walk their bikes through
Doggyman1202
Active Member
There isn't a binary choice of bollard posts or ATV's on trails. You can keep ATV's or any big ass vehicle off trails without narrow poles sticking out of the ground. Trail gates, for example, work well, and are far more conspicuous.
mojoe
Active Member
- Region
- USA
The one I dislike is the gates that make you do a sharp S-curve to enter the trail. It can't be to keep horses out, as they can come in another way, and I always see horse droppings on this trail. It was enough of a pain on a bike. Now that I have a trike, it's even more so.
Also, we have one paved trail here that has two swing gates close together. The reason is, the trail crosses grazing land. They didn't size both gates the same width. My trike fit through one gate (barely), but not the other. I don't ride that trail any more. Instead of gates, I think they should have used good, old-fashioned cattle guards. They work everywhere else, why not on this trail?
Also, we have one paved trail here that has two swing gates close together. The reason is, the trail crosses grazing land. They didn't size both gates the same width. My trike fit through one gate (barely), but not the other. I don't ride that trail any more. Instead of gates, I think they should have used good, old-fashioned cattle guards. They work everywhere else, why not on this trail?
J.R.
Erstwhile
- Region
- USA
We have one of the gates you have to zigzag through. It's at a road crossing on a blind curve. They are designed to force you to dismount and walk your bike through. In our case to prevent people from riding through and into the blind curve where someone could get hit by a car. In any case the authority puts them in places where they hope to force you to walk through.
