Safety: Update on Bollard Brackets
How can a PBC member effectively advocate to improve bike safety? And, which situations warrant a PBC action to contact the trail’s facility owner to fix the safety issue?
My example
On August 1, 2025, I rolled over a raised bracket for a removable center post. It bent both rims on my bicycle and injured me enough to cancel a planned RSVP event ride. I fell on the Westside Regional Trail (between the Merlo light rail station and SW Jenkins Road). Posts are located on either side of an access road to a PGE substation. The posts are the responsibility of Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation. My contact at THPRD is Greg Creager ([email protected]).
My responses ✎
- Replace both wheels and start to heal. Downshift riding expectations for 6+ months.
- Contact facility owner. On August 4, I emailed Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation (Greg Creager is Nature & Trails Supervisor). In part, I wrote:
“Beware unmarked raised bollard holders that extend above grade! I discovered that at PGE’s driveway to St. Mary’s substation (1785 SW 158th). Two sets of fixed bollards are properly painted in yellow. But the center bollard holders extend 2 or 3 inches above grade AND ARE NOT SAFETY-PAINTED. With shade, those holders are not visible.” On September 23, Mr. Creager reported that a staff member investigated the site, and reported that sometimes other parties (contractors?) fail to reattach bollards after completing a maintenance task (like mowing adjacent grass). Creager’s team is “reviewing our Trails Functional Plan, which includes specs such as details on bollards.” Options may include “…removing some bollards or marking the perimeter of the bollard sleeve for those instances when staff have the bollards removed. Looks like that will be an approved option, so something we are researching now in terms of what is the best product- paint, meltable strip, etc.”
Ask for update. On January 9, 2026, I thanked Mr. Creager for the September 23 update on bollard safety, and enclosed photos of bollard markings along the I-205 bike path. “I took them near SE Glenwood St. adjacent to a residential area. Those bollards are highly visible. The bollards are painted yellow, with striped reflective decals. Pavements next to the bollards are painted with thick white stripes. Just south of SE Glenwood, a “TRAIL X-ING AHEAD” sign warns of an at-grade street crossing (though the sign is partially obscured by branches).”
Make detailed ask. “I share them in hopes that THPRD ensures that bollards are placed in their sleeves as much as possible; then adds markings:
Ask for update. On January 9, 2026, I thanked Mr. Creager for the September 23 update on bollard safety, and enclosed photos of bollard markings along the I-205 bike path. “I took them near SE Glenwood St. adjacent to a residential area. Those bollards are highly visible. The bollards are painted yellow, with striped reflective decals. Pavements next to the bollards are painted with thick white stripes. Just south of SE Glenwood, a “TRAIL X-ING AHEAD” sign warns of an at-grade street crossing (though the sign is partially obscured by branches).”
Make detailed ask. “I share them in hopes that THPRD ensures that bollards are placed in their sleeves as much as possible; then adds markings:-
- refresh yellow paint on bollards and bollard sleeves;
- add striped reflective decals on bollards; and
- apply white paint stripes on pavement next to bollards.
- It’s been five months since my bike crashed over an empty bollard sleeve along the THPRD path (where it crosses the St. Mary’s substation driveway). I sent you photos of that location, pointing out the sleeve is barely visible in the shade.
- Repeat my injuries and potential for PBC’s recognition and use of that facility. “Both bike wheels were bent, needing replacement. Every day since, I spend time exercising a damaged shoulder. I want to spare injuries to other THPRD path users, with the above improvements. Further, I’d like to recommend the otherwise wonderful Westside Regional Trail, with its proximity to Tualatin Hills Nature Park and a light rail station.”
- Inspect site. On Dec. 12, I rode back to the crash site, and found the middle bollard installed, but no pavement markings.
- Thank for facility efforts to date.
- Inform PBC of a potential role.
Attached are two sets of photos: 1) two of the unmarked accident scene and 2) three photos of the well-marked I-205 bike path.
I am a regular user of THPRD rec. centers. And, the Westside Regional Trail has been one of my favorite individual training rides (from SW Scholls Ferry to SW Jenkins, or further north to the Waterhouse Trail). So, it’s personal to me that raised brackets are clearly marked, lowered flush with pavement, and/or posts are connected to those brackets. Another unmarked, raised bracket is located at SW Scholls Ferry Road. With these improvements, I would ask ride leaders to consider adding a section of WRT to a club ride!
Group Response/Advocacy?
Is there a PBC role to endorse a member’s safety request?
Bob Glascock, Member at Large
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