Bollard Report: Improving Safety on the Iron Horse Trail - February 1, 2023 (PDF) 

This report focuses on and identifies safety hazards posed by the dull dark brown bollards on the Iron Horse Trail in Danville, California.  Bollards are 4” PVC posts placed in the middle of the trail to discourage unauthorized automobile traffic, but they create a barrier for bicycle and pedestrian traffic, are a potentially deadly hazard for cyclists, and are difficult for cyclists and motorists to see.

The existing bollards were installed many years ago when modern trail standards and guidelines were in their infancy.  We propose that the East Bay Regional Park and the Town of Danville create an active partnership to improve the safety conditions on the trail, especially at street crossings where the bollards are installed, by following recommendations from the 2020 CalTrans Highway Design Manual (Chapter 1000) and the City of Oakland.

• Paint the bollards a bright yellow color and add at least two levels of reflectorized tape.
• Paint 10 ft yellow diamonds on the pavement up and downstream of each bollard.
• Use bollards that will break or bend at ground level when struck by a cyclist.
• Reinstall bollards so there is never more than one in the lane of travel (i.e., two travel lanes).
• Reinstall bollards so there is at least 60 inches between the bollard and the adjacent fence post or gate.
• Remove standalone bollards from the trail.
• Create a bollard standard so that trail users and motorists can more easily recognize the barrier.

The Problem with Bollard Visibility.  At certain times of the day, the dull dark brown bollards seem to blend into their surrounding and become camouflaged (photo above & two photos below). This is especially the case in shady areas on a bright sunny day, and during times of low visibility such as fog, rain and twilight hours. Dark brown bollards are a Clear and Present Danger to cyclists who ride in a group, especially those at the back of the group where their line of sight is blocked by riders ahead and groups of pedestrians walking on the trail. The dark brown color significantly increases the probability of collisions, injuries and possible fatalities.

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