Bollards on Bikeways

In Auckland there are an increasing number of bikeways which is great but there is a problem of safety. To restrict the bikeways to bikes only there are bollards in the middle of the bikeways and there are a significant number of these. Not all of them are near roads so it is difficult to see why so many of them are required.


In addition when contractors with vehicles gain access to the Bikeway they remove the bollards and do not replace them and this can be for days or weeks that they are left unprotected.
Some of the bollards have a protruding lip remaining which constitutes a danger to cyclist particularly when they are riding in groups. I am aware of one serious accident caused to a cyclist by the protruding lip while riding in a group on the bikeway. The obvious solution is to require contractors to replace the bollards immediately when they are entering or exiting the bikeways in a vehicle. Because the right to sue has been removed by the Accident Compensation Legislation there is little incentive for the Council to be proactive in the matter to protect itself from potential litigation.

The Auckland council have been advised of incidents of bollards being removed and not replaced on numerous occasions with limited success. It is evident that they do not realise the danger that their inaction presents to cyclists using the Bikeway.

The protruding bollard lip