Cycle Country Netherlands is facing a huge problem. The tens of thousands of posts, that prevent cars drive onto a bike path, are extremely dangerous. The annual toll is 12 dead and 12,000 wounded. Especially the elderly are at risk.Bike poles are intended for road safety, but they have unintended downside. In one in four bicycle accidents a pole is involved. Researchers from University of Groningen have been mapped it.
Many poles are in obscure places, such as after a curve. Or they have an unlucky color, making them especially bad to see in the dark. Prevalent white / red, all white or metallic. But also brown and even black specimens are encountered.
Bicycle Path
The poles are often placed out of habit when a cycle path is created. But according to the Groningen researchers they aren't neccesary in many places. Sometimes they have been temporarily removed. For example, in the autumn for maintenance of parks and gardens.
"There are hardly any drivers who still drive onto the bike path," say the scientists.
These 'safety poles' are especially dangerous for the elderly. Their eyesight is often worse and a collision can have serious consequences for them. Several Dutch municipalities have now announced that they will remove unnecessary barriers bike.
Read article (Dutch)
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