They are a thorn in the side of Fietsersbond Velsen: the superfluous and even dangerous red and white posts on bicycle paths. As a protest, Han van Spanje from the union today put up stickers with ‘This pole is in the way!’ on a few major culprits on the border of IJmuiden and Driehuis.
According to Van Spanje, one pole is not even necessary to close a shortcut for cars between the end of the Leeuweriklaan and the Zeeweg, let alone four. And according to him and the cyclists’ union there are still some about twenty places in the municipality of Velsen with high curbs, clumsy gates or a surplus of posts that could be made more accessible for two-wheelers.
That wrote the union last month Ook already to the municipality, following a national action against the roadblocks. With the urgent request to do something about it quickly, because things often go wrong with the red and white obstacles. According to an estimate by the national department of the union, about 2,400 cyclists in the Netherlands have to go to the emergency room every year after they bang the rubber against such a pole.
Text continues below the video with explanation by Han of Spain.
Fietsersbond Velsen takes action against unnecessary, dangerous posts – NH Nieuws
Local resident Siem Korver can imagine the action of the union. “I like to cycle and often and I think that at least half of those things can go away.” Still, the man with a white beard and shiny RayBan, leaning on two sticks, wants to make a case for the protest poles at the intersection of Zeeweg and Leeuweriklaan.
“I also went through here by car when it was still possible. Now I have to make a short detour home. But all in all it is safer here and the advantages outweigh the disadvantages,” he thinks.
‘They come out of nowhere’
A neighbor from the other side of the Zeeweg agrees: “Certainly since the arrival of the bus lane, right next to it, this is a very busy point with cars, buses and crossing cyclists. – and driving out, it causes a traffic jam on the bus lane.”
But even then, says Van Spanje: “There are three red posts here and another black one, you can’t see them at all in the dark. There are too many. And they come out of nowhere: there is no marking at all on them. marked the way.”
Text continues under the photos of the posts and the intersection
Crossroads Zeeweg and Leeuweriklaan
Han of Spain Cyclists’ Union Velsen
Crossroads Zeeweg and Leeuweriklaan
Crossroads Zeeweg and Leeuweriklaan
The Fietsersbond is not the only organization that is thoroughly annoyed by the red and white obstacles. Safe Traffic Netherlands also applauds the removal of unnecessary bollards.
“Very good what they are doing here,” said a spokesperson. “Sometimes, for example if a bicycle path runs through a street where many children play, there can be a pole, but in many cases they are completely unnecessary. Those bicycle poles can go, they cause falls, while they actually have no function.”
According to the ANWB, there are ‘too many’ posts on bicycle paths: “People are annoyed by it and they are often difficult to see in the twilight or in the dark. And of course you just want to get home safely.”
“The best pole is not a pole”
Incidentally, they are ‘barrier posts’ and not ‘bicycle posts’, explains a spokesperson for CROW-fietsberaad. In consultation with bicycle associations and governments, this organization draws up guidelines for where a bollard is useful and where it is not. “They are not for cyclists, they are intended to stop cars from taking dangerous shortcuts,” says a spokesperson.
He continues: “The best pole is no pole, we always say here.” That is to say: “If it can be done differently, for example with signs on the road, or if the pole causes more problems than it solves, then it shouldn’t be there,” said the spokesperson. And if there really has to be a bollard, it must be clearly visible, introduced with road markings and, for example, not too soon after an intersection.
Exactly the point of the Fietsersbond at the intersection in IJmuiden: “If there must be a pole here, play it by the rules. Why are there two red poles next to each other here, that’s illogical, isn’t it?”
Not in favor of sticking stickers
The municipality has mixed feelings about the action. The list sent last month, they can use that at the town hall, says a spokesperson. “For these posts, we consider whether they can be removed or whether they should be indicated better.”
The stickers can count on less appreciation: “We think it is sympathetic that the cyclists’ association is committed to the safety of cyclists and draws attention to possible problems caused by posts on bicycle paths. However, we are not in favor of sticking stickers on municipal properties.”
Van Spanje puts three stickers at the intersection and is not impressed by that criticism. It is not for nothing that it is an action: “The consultation is always good, with the municipality. But nothing ever happens.”