Beware Bollards...

[Shadow]

Approaching a junction to cross a main road, I carefully filtered past the cars to the front of the junction. Knowing I would have to stop, I had not quite finished unclipping so put my hand out to rest on the top of the adjacent bollard - white, rectangular, about 1 meter high with a Keep Left arrow near the top - when I fell to the floor. Because the bollard collapsed under my arm like a paper bag!

Nothing hurt apart from pride and slight road rash on right arm.

Moral of this little incident: be prepared to unclip at any time and place foot on floor and do not think all street furniture is strong as it looks!!!

 

[xpc316e]

You have my sympathy because some years ago, while cycling along a path in woodland, I stopped alongside a tree stump. The tree had obviously been felled by being chainsawed some years previously, and it presented a fine, firm platform upon which I could plant my left foot while I got my bearings in the middle of the wood. I placed my foot on it, and it went straight through it. I sank down into the tree stump up to thigh level, as it was completely hollow and had obviously been eaten from the inside by insects, or rot. I was quite shocked but immediately saw the funnty side as I dragged myself out and upright once more.

I was on my own, but I dare say that your unfortunate incident had a few witnesses around. I feel your pain.

 

[kewb]

Approaching a junction to cross a main road, I carefully filtered past the cars to the front of the junction.  Knowing I would have to stop, I had not quite finished unclipping so put my hand out to rest on the top of the adjacent bollard - white, rectangular, about 1 meter high with a Keep Left arrow near the top - when I fell to the floor.  Because the bollard collapsed under my arm like a paper bag!  
Nothing hurt apart from pride and slight road rash on right arm.

Moral of this little incident:  be prepared to unclip at any time and place foot on floor and do not think all street furniture is strong as it looks!!!

wasnt on a bike a the time but during a ride around the isle of arran i fell 8ft when similar happened to me leaning on a bollard outside brodick castle ,


anyone familar with this stretch will know its a wall straight down to shingle and rocks i hit shingle btw nothing hurt but my pride .

 

[fossyant]

Ha..ha....... Be careful with them, and the reflective verge posts out in the country - they flex.....

Very nearly came off with one of those plastic bollards - now use the pedestrian rails at one junction (on an incline that is a bugger to get going on a 74" fixed......) - nearly bent the thing over leaning on it.....

 

[Shadow]

Ha..ha....... Be careful with them, and the reflective verge posts out in the country - they flex.....

Indeed they do, but they at least usually stay upright when leant upon...unless they have already been weakened because a careless driver has previously driven into one! Being mostly a rural rider, I see the squashed remains of them regularly!

 

[andy_wrx]

I've leaned on a bollard before now, to save unclipping, very casual and cool

Less casual and cool as I picked myself out of the road, having found that the bollard wasn't bolted to the road or anything and just fell over


I now stick to railings and traffic light poles...

 

[richtea78]

there are also bollards that retract into the ground at some junctions. A few years ago I was sat in a queue of traffic watching a cyclist lean on one as it retracted away.