We all know them: the red-and-white bicycle posts haphazardly placed on cycle paths. Originally installed by municipalities to prevent motorists from misusing cycle paths. But the cure has proven worse than the disease.

Approximately 400,000 bicycle bollards have been installed on cycle paths in the Netherlands. And what has been the impact? According to estimates from VeiligheidNL, these bollards result in up to 2,400 emergency admissions annually. Of those admissions, 1,500 cyclists are seriously injured after a harsh encounter with one of these bollards. The total number of collisions resulting in "only" bruises and scraped arms and knees runs into the tens of thousands annually.

Of course, municipalities didn't start installing posts for nothing. Because bike paths were (and still are) sometimes misused by motorists. But fortunately, the vast majority of motorists behave respectably in traffic. On balance, the benefits (deterring motorists) don't outweigh the costs (the many thousands of serious collisions each year).

The Cyclists' Union has launched a campaign to remove unnecessary and unsafe bicycle bollards from cycle paths. The Dutch Road Safety Association also supports this campaign. Dozens of municipalities are currently removing the bollards, reaching a total of 200,000.

Bikeboxer wholeheartedly supports the Cyclists' Union's campaign! Do you know of a location with a dangerous and/or unnecessary bicycle bollard? Take action and report it to your municipality. You can also visit the Cyclists' Union website. They will help you have the bollard removed.