Bollards can be defined as small or short, sturdy, vertical posts that are stereotypically installed and utilised for the general control and directing of traffic, the enhancement and overall improvement of security, the protection of infrastructure and buildings, and to add to the overall atmosphere of safety and aesthetics within public spaces and environments. Bollards come in a variety of different shapes, colours and designs and can be manufactured from an assortment of various materials including concrete, steel, iron, and plastic.
At Streetscape, we elevate the humble bollard, and make them noticeable urban landscape features, that not only help to improve the safety of traffic and pedestrians alike, but that will also elevate the aesthetic of the surrounding areas. In this article we want to spend some time appreciating the unassuming bollard, we will do so by looking at the variety of functions these features play in urban settings. After encouraging the use of the bollard, we will highlight our range at StreetScape, emphasising just how different bollards can be shaped.
The Application Of A Bollard
The bollard has been around for many years and can be found in every major city around the world, lining streets of urban areas. There usefulness cannot be underestimated, and they play several critical roles in creating order with in highly populated areas. In this section let us spend time looking at some of the most important benefits offered by the bollard.
Pedestrian Safety And Traffic Control
Importantly when the bollard is implemented in a strategic manner, they are effective at regulating the flow of traffic, which in turn helps to improve the general safety of pedestrians. Bollards can be used as a means to define pedestrian areas and zones, mark off crosswalks, or help with the movement of vehicles in parking lots.
Vehicle Management
Bollards have been deemed a fundamental tool in the general management of vehicle access into pedestrian areas and other public spaces. With the implementation of retractable or removable bollards, access to certain areas becomes flexible, allowing some vehicles in while disallowing others. These retractable features permit for temporary access during specified time frames, such as for special events or functions. This flexibility helps maintain the balance between the need’s vehicles and pedestrians.
General Security Measures
Drunk drivers and cars losing control are a general safety concern on almost all roads and areas with heavy foot traffic. In response to this concern, impact-resistant bollards have gained significant popularity. They can be designed as a means to absorb and negate the energy that is created during a collision.
The bollard thus acts as a means of protection against potential accidents. The addition of reflective material on them can also help drivers at night to avoid crashing.
Bicycle Parking And General Security
An innovative design that is being incorporated in many bollards around the world is the implementation of integrated bike racks. These racks provide for a safe and secure area to park bicycles while you conduct your business. In South Africa, cycling is a popular sport, and crime is often a concern, therefore the integration of these features would definitely benefit the cyclist community and general feelings of safety and security. Not only does this provide added security, but it also promotes the use of more sustainable transportation methods like cycling.
Landscaping and Architectural Design and Integration
Bollards have become aesthetics components within urban design and planning. Because you can find them in a number of different sizes, colours, shapes, textures, and materials. This adaptability makes them the perfect accent piece to whatever architectural style you have in mind. Streets, roads, parks, and other areas can be greatly enhanced by the incorporation of artistic elements like a decorative and aesthetic bollard.
Marine, Beach And Waterfront application
In waterfront and beachy areas, such as Durban and Cape Town in South Africa, bollards can play an important function as mooring points for all kinds of boats that are docking or departing. A specially designed bollard can withstand and endure the pressure and force exerted by these ships or boats during the docking and undocking process. They play an important function in the general upkeep, safety, and operation of the various marine activities that occur in these areas.
Event Management And Public Gatherings
Bollards can be used and integrated in the overall management of public gatherings and public events. This is because they are effective at creating secure perimeters and identifiable areas, they help promote a controlled flow of crowd movement in the right direction. As previously mentioned, the integration of removable or retractable bollards allows for flexibility in the sense that it allows event organizers to fully tailor and customise the layout of spaces to accommodate for the different types of events.
Protection And Accessibility of Buildings
As previously mentioned, bollards can be used for safety, but not just for the safety of pedestrians, but also provide for the safety of buildings and infrastructure. They provide protection and deflection from accidental crashes and potential collisions. Often placed in areas near the entrances of storefronts or surrounding large building complexes situated in cities or high density areas. The bollard thus acts as a physical barrier, greatly improving the overall safety of infrastructure in busy urban areas.
The StreetScape Range
Our website has a vast range of beautifully designed, durable bollards for sale, our goal is to help customers find the bollard that is just right for them. We have both steel and concrete options available. In this section we will be focusing on fifteen different styles from our concrete range with a generalised overview of each bollard.
1.Taper Concrete
This stylish and slender design is available off shutter, unpainted, or exposed aggregate finish. This Bollard is cylindrical in shape and narrows as it reaches a rounded smooth top. This particular bollard has a total length of 1200mm, a 200mm top diameter, a 300mm base diameter, and a total weight of 163kg.
2.Bloc 220
This bollard comes in a well-known and distinguishable gravel-infused and speckled appearance. These bollards tend to be more colorful and eye-catching with a more down-to-earth aesthetic. These features have a total length of 1200mm, a diameter of 220mm, a total weight of 103kg, and the above-ground height equates to 900mm.
3.Stellenbosch
These sleek bollards tend to be more unassuming and are perfect for those seeking a bollard that can easily blend into the surrounding environment. They have a total length of 1200mm, with the above-ground height measuring 900mm, a top diameter of 200mm, a total base diameter of 265, and a total weight of 146kg.
4.Stellenbosch (With Chains)
Taking from the aforementioned “Stellenbosch Concrete Bollard” this fun design incorporates chains that can be used to connect a row of stand-alone bollards together, creating an effective barrier. These bollards are also available with eye bolts where required for the chains to be attached. The bollard, excluding the chain has a total length of 1200mm, with a height above ground measuring 900mm, a top diameter of 200mm, a base diameter of 265mm, and a total weight of 146kg.
5.Bloc 250
These bollards have a total length of 1200mm, with a height above ground measuring 900mm, a diameter of 250mm, and a total weight of 137kg.
6.Barrier
This solid bollard option has a total length of 1400mm, with a height above ground measuring 900mm, a diameter of 180mm, and a total weight of 67kg. They are also available with holes for the incorporation of handrails to suit your desired needs.
7.Ball 400
Unlike the aforementioned range, these bollards are circular in shape. These incorporate a concrete stem to assist in planting them into the ground. They have a total length of 400mm, a height above ground measuring 400mm, a diameter of 400mm, and a total weight of 97kg.
8.Ball 500
Very similar to the above model, but a little larger in size. Much like the aforementioned “Ball 400 Concrete Bollard” these bollards also incorporate a concrete stem. These bollards have a total length of 500mm, a height above ground measuring 500mm, a diameter of 500mm, and a total weight of 168kg.
9.Quartet
These are more rectangular in shape and style and incorporate a more pyramid-like top with a flat surface. These bollards have a total length of 1200mm, a height above ground measuring 900mm, a size of 220 x 200mm, and a total weight of 132kg.
10.4040 Cube
These are shorter in stature and are designed to sit on the ground, rather than being fixed to a particular spot. Advertisement boards can be incorporated and added to these. The bollard has a total length of 550mm, a height above ground measuring 550mm, an overall size of 400 x 400mm, and a total weight of 195kg.
11.Bastian
Similar to the aforementioned product range, these bollards are designed to be free-standing or installed easily 100mm below ground or more depending on the general requirements. These bollards have a total length of 1200mm, a height above ground measuring 750mm, a total size of 405 x 405mm, and a total weight of 320kg.
12.Cape Concrete
These bollards incorporate the classic cylindrical style with a dome top. As the name suggests, these features are associated with the beautiful city of Cape Town. These bollards have a total length of 1200mm, a height above ground measuring 900mm, a diameter of 2500mm, and a total weight of 137kg.
13.Dome
Shorter than most bollards and perfect for walkways we present the dome bollard. They have a total length of 950mm, a height above ground measuring 700mm, a diameter of 350mm, and a total weight of 206kg.
14.Croydon
These particular bollards are supplied unpainted and appear in an almost metallic colour. These bollards have a total length of 1200mm, a height above ground measuring 900mm, a diameter of 114/100mm and a total weight of 43kg.
15.Penny
These bollards are more rounded and shorter with a flat surface, which could be ideal to both serve its function and work as an impromptu spot to sit down. These bollards have a total length of 500mm, a height above ground measuring 500mm, a diameter of 600mm, and a total weight of 320kg.
StreetScape: Get Your Next Bollard Here
For more information regarding these concrete bollards feel free to investigate further on our website, or if concrete is not your style, feel free to checkout any of our fourteen available steel bollard options we have on offer here at StreetScape.
So, what are you waiting for, for both security and aesthetics, protect your home or business today with us at StreetScape and our variety of concrete bollards.