Comments on: Bollard Porn http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:07:22 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: tweedledee http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/comment-page-1/#comment-16098 tweedledee Sat, 09 Dec 2006 17:47:50 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/#comment-16098 Retractable bollards are installed around the U.S. Capitol and White House too. The Manchester video starts off showing the huge, illuminated signs that warn drivers about the bollards. Those drivers knew the bollards were there. You can plainly see them tailgating and accelerating as they try to beat the rising bollards. One driver who hit the bollard admitted as much. Retractable bollards are installed around the U.S. Capitol and White House too.

The Manchester video starts off showing the huge, illuminated signs that warn drivers about the bollards. Those drivers knew the bollards were there. You can plainly see them tailgating and accelerating as they try to beat the rising bollards. One driver who hit the bollard admitted as much.

]]> By: Rob http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/comment-page-1/#comment-15739 Rob Fri, 08 Dec 2006 16:11:26 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/#comment-15739 No...not all of the Bollards in front of TWC are retractable, just the ones that allow admission into the parking areas are. These are "Bomb Bollards" not "people bollards" No...not all of the Bollards in front of TWC are retractable, just the ones that allow admission into the parking areas are. These are "Bomb Bollards" not "people bollards"

]]> By: Sproule http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/comment-page-1/#comment-15490 Sproule Thu, 07 Dec 2006 20:57:38 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/#comment-15490 "Profound satisfaction" was exactly what I experienced while watching these great vids. "Profound satisfaction" was exactly what I experienced while watching these great vids.

]]> By: Adam http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/comment-page-1/#comment-15486 Adam Thu, 07 Dec 2006 20:41:24 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/#comment-15486 I think it's fairly clear that the first driver knew there were bollards there, that they went down to let the bus through, and that he wasn't supposed to follow the bus into that space. Knowing all of that, I think it's irrelevant whether he also knew how fast the bollards would come back up. They knew they didn't belong there, they attempted anyway, a bollard stopped them. Seems fine to me. As for the other two, they may not have known bollards were there, but then why were they following the buses so closely to get into the lane? It seems clear they at least knew they weren't supposed to be in that lane, and the tailgating method of getting into the lane implies to me that they, too, suspected they had a time limit for sneaking in. I think it's fairly clear that the first driver knew there were bollards there, that they went down to let the bus through, and that he wasn't supposed to follow the bus into that space. Knowing all of that, I think it's irrelevant whether he also knew how fast the bollards would come back up. They knew they didn't belong there, they attempted anyway, a bollard stopped them. Seems fine to me.

As for the other two, they may not have known bollards were there, but then why were they following the buses so closely to get into the lane? It seems clear they at least knew they weren't supposed to be in that lane, and the tailgating method of getting into the lane implies to me that they, too, suspected they had a time limit for sneaking in.

]]> By: David Chesler http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/comment-page-1/#comment-15413 David Chesler Thu, 07 Dec 2006 16:21:14 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/#comment-15413 Just to be clear, are we sure that the drivers were aware that bollars were going to come up quickly after the bus passed? If so, they got what they deserved. I've been in an accident similarly: I was taking a disabled person to a medical appointment, using a plastic 2-seat car (2500 pound curb weight -- about as light as they get.) A truck in the oncoming direction lost part of its load, including (as I later found out) a wheel chock that was on the travel lane I was using. The SUV in front of me passed over it with no problem -- they do have their benefits even on paved roads -- but it caught my undercarriage, jarring my passenger and destroying a nasty-to-replace water pipe that ran from the front radiator to the mid engine. It's normally a safe assumption that the road that the car in front of you just passed is also safe for you to pass. You can't always see in front of the car in front of you, especially if it's high and you're low (another reason people favor SUVs.) I didn't expect a wheel chock in the middle of the road, and I wouldn't expect a bollard to suddenly appear. Just to be clear, are we sure that the drivers were aware that bollars were going to come up quickly after the bus passed? If so, they got what they deserved.

I've been in an accident similarly: I was taking a disabled person to a medical appointment, using a plastic 2-seat car (2500 pound curb weight -- about as light as they get.) A truck in the oncoming direction lost part of its load, including (as I later found out) a wheel chock that was on the travel lane I was using. The SUV in front of me passed over it with no problem -- they do have their benefits even on paved roads -- but it caught my undercarriage, jarring my passenger and destroying a nasty-to-replace water pipe that ran from the front radiator to the mid engine.

It's normally a safe assumption that the road that the car in front of you just passed is also safe for you to pass. You can't always see in front of the car in front of you, especially if it's high and you're low (another reason people favor SUVs.)

I didn't expect a wheel chock in the middle of the road, and I wouldn't expect a bollard to suddenly appear.

]]> By: Hannah http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/comment-page-1/#comment-15408 Hannah Thu, 07 Dec 2006 16:05:58 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/#comment-15408 The 200+ sidewalk bollards around the Time Warner monstrosity are retractable?! Well then I've wasted time lobbying for a design that combines bollard and bike parking. (Just say no to retractable bike parking!) Guess I should focus on supplementing the bollards with city racks. Hannah The 200+ sidewalk bollards around the Time Warner monstrosity are retractable?! Well then I've wasted time lobbying for a design that combines bollard and bike parking. (Just say no to retractable bike parking!) Guess I should focus on supplementing the bollards with city racks.

Hannah

]]> By: Media Boy http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/comment-page-1/#comment-15268 Media Boy Thu, 07 Dec 2006 01:46:53 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/#comment-15268 I can see Channel 7's tease if ever threatened to be used in NYC: "Bollards that kill, at eleven" I can see Channel 7's tease if ever threatened to be used in NYC:

"Bollards that kill, at eleven"

]]> By: NR http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/comment-page-1/#comment-15246 NR Wed, 06 Dec 2006 23:28:22 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/#comment-15246 This cheered me up. Streetsblog does it again. This cheered me up. Streetsblog does it again.

]]> By: Steve http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/comment-page-1/#comment-15232 Steve Wed, 06 Dec 2006 22:54:28 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/#comment-15232 Love that megabollard, Robert. Time for the technological advances financed by our war-on-terror tax dollars to finally be used to benefit bicyclists instead of to surveil and harass them! Love that megabollard, Robert. Time for the technological advances financed by our war-on-terror tax dollars to finally be used to benefit bicyclists instead of to surveil and harass them!

]]> By: Robert http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/comment-page-1/#comment-15229 Robert Wed, 06 Dec 2006 22:50:19 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/#comment-15229 For the mother of all bollards check out http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-573208294914698041&q=bollard For the mother of all bollards check out
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-573208294914698041&q=bollard

]]> By: Robert http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/comment-page-1/#comment-15227 Robert Wed, 06 Dec 2006 22:46:49 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/#comment-15227 Well the Time Warner Center uses these, and I think I have seen them in front of City Hall as well. But protect protecting buildings is more important then protecting people in the minds of politicians apparently. Well the Time Warner Center uses these, and I think I have seen them in front of City Hall as well. But protect protecting buildings is more important then protecting people in the minds of politicians apparently.

]]> By: drewo http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/comment-page-1/#comment-15226 drewo Wed, 06 Dec 2006 22:45:41 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/#comment-15226 And a good smack in the head is just what those drivers deserved. And a good smack in the head is just what those drivers deserved.

]]> By: drewo http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/comment-page-1/#comment-15221 drewo Wed, 06 Dec 2006 22:36:31 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/#comment-15221 Great video. Made my afternoon. Great video. Made my afternoon.

]]> By: Snetty http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/comment-page-1/#comment-15210 Snetty Wed, 06 Dec 2006 21:25:54 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/#comment-15210 Lane Wyden has besmirched me. I was NOT searching for "erect, pump-action poles" when I found this video. The very nerve! I was searching for "choked by bollocks video" and accidentally typed "bollards." Lane Wyden has besmirched me. I was NOT searching for "erect, pump-action poles" when I found this video. The very nerve!

I was searching for "choked by bollocks video" and accidentally typed "bollards."

]]> By: Nick http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/comment-page-1/#comment-15209 Nick Wed, 06 Dec 2006 21:24:50 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/#comment-15209 <p>They also have these at many colleges & universities here in the US. The only real concern when installing them (aside from price) is adequate depth. Here in NYC, that's sometimes a problem, with utilities, subways, etc. running under the street. </p> They also have these at many colleges & universities here in the US. The only real concern when installing them (aside from price) is adequate depth. Here in NYC, that's sometimes a problem, with utilities, subways, etc. running under the street.

]]> By: Ian D http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/comment-page-1/#comment-15208 Ian D Wed, 06 Dec 2006 21:21:43 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/#comment-15208 "... impaled on high-tech retractable bollards" Just for the record, these retractable bollards are found in cities all over Europe - they are not at all uncommon. Even private parking lots and garages use them - but when we suggest them to DOT at community board meetings, the look we get is the same as when we suggest bike lanes should be pigmented: "Inconcievable." "... impaled on high-tech retractable bollards"

Just for the record, these retractable bollards are found in cities all over Europe - they are not at all uncommon. Even private parking lots and garages use them - but when we suggest them to DOT at community board meetings, the look we get is the same as when we suggest bike lanes should be pigmented: "Inconcievable."

]]> By: muffintin http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/comment-page-1/#comment-15207 muffintin Wed, 06 Dec 2006 21:06:17 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/#comment-15207 <blockquote> Driving in the center of Manchester has been made to be extremely frustrating at many levels. </blockquote> Good! Does it discourage people from driving?

Driving in the center of Manchester has been made to be extremely frustrating at many levels.

Good! Does it discourage people from driving?

]]> By: Nick http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/comment-page-1/#comment-15205 Nick Wed, 06 Dec 2006 20:59:34 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/#comment-15205 Great soundtrack with the video. Great soundtrack with the video.

]]> By: crzwdjk http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/comment-page-1/#comment-15204 crzwdjk Wed, 06 Dec 2006 20:38:38 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/#comment-15204 Yeah, it's schadenfreude. But not really the "ha ha, idiot got hurt" kind so much as the "not so high and mighty now are you" kind. People in cars feel a sense of invulnerability and an entitlement to go anywhere they want at whatever speed they choose protected (or so they think) by their two-ton metal box. For once, though, they overestimate their abilities and finally get a thoroughly deserved comeuppance. Yeah, it's schadenfreude. But not really the "ha ha, idiot got hurt" kind so much as the "not so high and mighty now are you" kind. People in cars feel a sense of invulnerability and an entitlement to go anywhere they want at whatever speed they choose protected (or so they think) by their two-ton metal box. For once, though, they overestimate their abilities and finally get a thoroughly deserved comeuppance.

]]> By: Fascinated http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/comment-page-1/#comment-15202 Fascinated Wed, 06 Dec 2006 20:22:24 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/06/retractable-bollard-porn/#comment-15202 Aaron: Yes, you're absolutely right about the last SUV. Two strollers right next to him. Idiot, for sure. (And if he did beat the bollards, then what? Or is the lobster-trap aspect part of the deterrence?) Aaron: Yes, you're absolutely right about the last SUV. Two strollers right next to him. Idiot, for sure. (And if he did beat the bollards, then what? Or is the lobster-trap aspect part of the deterrence?)

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