Why Aren’t There More Bollards in US Cities?

In an article for MinnPost, Bill Lindeke describes how simple yet effective solid bollards can help save lives — both in attacks like the one in New Orleans and in everyday occurrences.

According to Lindeke, “The standard bollard costs around $700 to manufacture and install (at least according to one estimate). That’s very affordable for a modern capital expense, which is probably one reason why they’re common in many European cities.” Retractable bollards are more expensive and require maintenance. Flexible delineators, the bollard’s less robust cousins, can provide traffic calming and clarity but do little to offer physical protection.

“Compared to anything you’ll find in a public works budget, in the right context they represent  an amazing investment payoff for traffic calming and safety.” The value of bollards seems well understood by the private sector, Lindeke notes. “Companies that seem to know the actuarial value of their infrastructure deploy them more literally than urban planners.”

With vehicles growing larger and more dangerous, Lindeke writes that bollards would dramatically improve safety near bus stops, schools, and other populated public places. Using more bollards could also have the side effect of encouraging more street festivals and events — “important in an era where public gatherings are disappearing.”