When bollards that separate cycling lanes from vehicular traffic are mowed down by cars and trucks, are bike riders next in line?

That’s a question many cyclists must be asking, considering the number of bollards lining downtown bike lanes that were flattened by passing traffic and have yet to be fixed.

There’s a wide range of opinion on the value and necessity of cycling lanes, but there is no disputing that they add a measure of safety to riding a bike in proximity to whizzing traffic.

Even drivers who resent giving up a traffic lane to accommodate a dedicated space for cyclists should know by now that they can’t allow their vehicle to wander into the bike lane.

And in some spots, particularly in the downtown core, bike lanes are further delineated by flexible bollards that bend when a vehicle passes over them, and immediately pop back up.

At least that’s how they’re supposed to work. But some bollards seem to lose their pop, judging by an increasing number that were flattened and remain prone.

“Unfortunately, they still get hit by cars and trucks and I’m not sure the city knows to replace them,” said Brian Huntley in an email.

“There are at least eight missing, broken or flattened to the ground along the Richmond St. bike lane, including four at the Portland St. intersection alone (two on each side). A similar number are out of service on Adelaide St.

“I know they don’t stop motor vehicles but their presence is useful and they should be repaired.”

We went to Richmond and Portland and found two flattened bollards on either side of the intersection and also spotted a half-dozen others along the stretch west of University Ave.

It’s an indication that drivers aren’t paying enough attention to the cycling lanes, do not respect their sanctity, or both. No wonder cyclists feel as if they are under siege from drivers.

STATUS: Susan Pape, a spokesperson for transportation services, sent us a note saying the crushed bollards on Richmond will be repaired within two weeks.

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