The pitch is great: Let’s take a car culture waste product that would otherwise be burned and instead turn it into a barrier to protect the lives of people biking.
Meanwhile, researchers at UW have identified a tire chemical — 6PPD-quinone — that is likely a major cause coho salmon population decline. The chemical gets into waterways through wear and tear from cars and trucks driving on roadways.
In a similar vein, I’m sure a Fiat 500 could jump a jersey barrier driving at freeway speed straight at it.
Toronto barriers work well enough for preventing the average vehicle from casually driving through a bike lane to cut a corner or avoid a pothole, while also not being a hindrance for foot traffic.
It’s a pretty good middle ground. If it increases ridership, maybe fully segregated bicycle infrastructure could take root.