Crash with Bollard on ART near Bladensburg

[Steve O]

A post to fuel the debate about bollards, especially those that are in the worst possible location.

Actually, I don't think this one fuels any debate at all. I believe there is unanimity regarding the idiocy and danger of these two.

[dasgeh]

Sounds like someone needs to figure out what agency maintains this trail, and talk to that agency about removing these.

[Judd]

Aren't the bollards under a bridge?

Yes. Just in front of the trolls. Basically right underneath the edge of each side of the bridge. I'd be happy to engage in a Remove Useless Bollards (RUB) campaign on these ones. Does anyone have any idea which government entity owns them?

[Brett L.]

Sounds like someone needs to figure out what agency maintains this trail, and talk to that agency about removing these.

My thoughts are the MNCPPC.

[Sunyata]

Actually, I don't think this one fuels any debate at all. I believe there is unanimity regarding the idiocy and danger of these two.

Normally bollards do not bother me much. I am used to riding in close quarters with immovable objects (trees, mostly). And yes, I know that just because they do not pose much of a threat to me does not mean they are safe for others.

However, I did comment on Saturday that these bollards are extremely dangerous. Not only are they at the bottom of a hill and around a blind corner on a very narrow section of the trail, they are not where one would expect a bollard to be. If you can not anticipate the bollard, how is one to avoid them, especially when coming down a hill, around a curve, or going from bright sun to dim light under a bridge.

[Brett L.]

Good news - it looks the PG County Parks and Rec were actively removing these bollards as of this morning!