Cyclist says Sunnyvale bollard caused thumb fracture; cites VTA/Caltrans guidance and asks for flexible post
Summary
Resident Jenna Chiaro told the commission a fixed bollard near Stevens Creek Boulevard (boundary area) caused a complex thumb fracture; she cited VTA and Caltrans guidance that bollards should allow 5 feet of clearance and recommended replacing the post with a flexible marker.
Resident Jenna Chiaro described a painful collision with a fixed bollard near the Sunnyvale–Los Altos boundary on Stevens Creek Boulevard during oral communications and urged the city to remove or replace the device.
Chiaro said she rode with friends two weeks earlier when she collided with a bollard adjacent to a bike facility. She said she did not see the bollard until the last moment and, after striking it, sustained a complex fracture that required a plate and five screws; she is expecting a lengthy recovery. Chiaro noted the right‑side terrain at the bollard is uneven and said she had only about 15 inches of usable width on the right in her measurement.
She cited VTA bicycle technical guidance and Caltrans standards that bollards should leave a minimum of 5 feet of clearance on each side and should not force bicyclists to slow, stop or dismount. She said the installation fails those standards and pointed to community reports (a social‑media thread) documenting repeated concerns. Chiaro urged a replacement with a flexible post or other VTA best‑practice bollard that would yield on impact.
Why it matters: fixed bollards that encroach on the rider’s operating space can cause severe injury; Chiaro’s presentation asked staff to review the device’s compliance and ownership because the location appears near the jurisdictional boundary with Los Altos.
Staff said they would confirm jurisdiction and follow up with appropriate departments. Chiaro asked the commission and staff to prioritize a change of the device, saying that the current post was an ongoing hazard.
Ending: Staff committed to checking responsibility for the device (Sunnyvale vs. neighboring jurisdiction) and to report back with options for replacement or modification.
