A ruling by a court in Cambridge is likely to have major implications for councils and authorities across the UK after a cyclist won compensation when he collided with a bollard at night. These were placed on a cycle route to prevent vehicular access to the cycle path, which runs alongside the River Cam and is used day and night by cyclists who commute to/from Cambridge, as a safer alternative to using the busy A10.
The cyclist collided with the unlit bollard at night and successfully argued that putting an obstruction on a pathway with no lighting is negligent of the cyclist’s right to use the path which, according to city planners, is the safest route.
However, the financial and social cost of removing bollards is significant as this would allow fly tipping and vehicle access to previously prohibited areas. Faced with the prospect of having to take potentially expensive action at the scene of the incident, such as running electricity and lighting systems to where the bollards are deployed, Cambridge solved the problem for around £10 by using TraxEyes glow-in-the-dark marker studs. Using photo-luminescent crystal technology, these devices glow brightly for 12 hours after just eight minutes of daylight and are guaranteed for five years operation. Importantly, no wiring, electricity or batteries are required and installation is quick and simple.
Europe's largest marina owner and operator, MDL Marinas, is now trialling TraxEyes at two of its Thames marinas, Bray and Windsor.
Notice how the devices are positioned on steps, edges of pontoons and to mark safety ladders. They are ideal in rural locations, or where mains lighting is not available or desirable.
Kevin Powell, part of the marina management team at Bray and Windsor, commented: "We're delighted to be trialling TraxEyes at two of our marinas, using photo-luminescent crystal technology, which is non-toxic, certainly supports our green credentials as a business, and we'll be gaining feedback from our berth holders about their experience of the lights around the marina."
Grant taylor (TraxEyes inventor), Simon Pratt & Nick Farthing (Sustrans,), Councillor Mathew Dean (Cabinet Member for enviroment for Environment and Transport) and Dale Bostock (Southampton city council) at official opening of the Itchen Riverside Boardwalk
The TraxEyeTM Marker Stud MkII as been engineered with
three new safety enhancements
• Ultra-White Daylight Ring
The TraxEyeTM Marker Stud MkII's base, which is coloured
a Hi-Visual Ultra-White, was slightly increased in diameter*.
Therefore, the unit is more easily spotted during the day
and night.
• Improved Weather Resistance / Ease-of-Maintenance
The ring, was moulded with a carefully calculated bevel
that gently slopes from the photo luminescent disk at its
center to the ground. It begins dissipating precipitation,
dirt, and debris from the unit as quickly as it accumulates.
This new design makesTraxeyes virtually maintenance free.
• Optional Hi-Visibility Safety Colours
The base of the TraxEyeTM Marker Stud MkII is now offered
in different safety-enhancing colours. Hi-Visual Ultra-White
remains its standard production colour. Hi-Visual Safety
Yellow and Hi-Visual Warning Red can be special ordered.
