Video: Edinburgh Council issues tram cycle safety film, but cyclists' fears remain

Hello,
I think there are several good points here regarding safety. I used to live in Antwerp where they have plenty of trams as well as narrow, cobbled roads. During my time there I only got caught out once by the tracks, and that was entirely my own fault as I was in a hurry and not looking properly. Otherwise, I knew the tracks were there and took care when riding (my touring bike) near them. I didn't need instructions about it, I just got used to them over time. Which is what I suspect will happen in Edinburgh.

I've also been cycled around Amsterdam by a friend and experienced no problems as she knew what she was doing, and the traffic there is horrendous at times.

One thing I'd suggest to the council is not to have things obstructing the view when coming up to a junction, such as shown in the video where the woman stops among some trees. It is not very sensible to assume that all cyclists will come to a complete stop at these points. Obviously we should take care, but a few of us won't, and these people will end up taking the tram one way or another.

Riders will have to take care, but they will also get used to it after a while. That said, I hope the council build in safety for cyclists: they shouldn't rely on other road users always doing the right thing or driving with due care and attention.
Cheers.

WTF???? Which plonker thought it would be perfectly safe to put the Tram in the Cycle Lane?????

In Holland, the trams have their OWN lane in the centre of the road and cycles and vehicular traffic cross the tram lines at right angles...

This is like making a cycle lane with spikes in it (and then assuming everyone will ensure they watch your "avoid the spikes" video). bauchlebastart's photo is just madness. The trams aren't even being tested yet and the accidents have already started.

A friend of mine spent a couple of weeks in hospital after his wheel went into a tram track in Manchester and he took a nasty fall.

What a shame, when Edinburgh has some nice cycleways further north of the centre.

Think when looking at other cities with tram tracks you need to look at where they run in the road - my memory of Amsterdam is that they typically run in the middle - as they mostly do here in Melbourne, down under - so most of the time the only issue is crossing tram tracks especially tricky in the rain.
My experience when I lived in Sheffield was that riding within or adjacent to the tram tracks (Hillsborough/Middlewood) was ok except (and that's a big big big except) when another road user did a dumb didn't see the cyclist move (or didn't care about the cyclist move) there is nowhere for you to go you are locked into a very narrow area - you have to brake and pray as you can't cross the tracks to move out of danger
looking at that pic I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to out think a taxi driver's next move too many possible odd and outlandish combinations

It's not the tram tracks alone causing trouble, it's the combination with hoachy motor traffic boxing us in and raising the stakes.

Maybe things will improve once they rejig the traffic routes, with the new George Street and P Street routings.

Why advertise how to cross tram tracks safely when the woman clearly hasn't put her helmet on safely as a start!

Tram lines and cycle paths often overlap in Amsterdam, it's hardly a problem as how to ride over them is a cultured habit. I also remember reading all trams are fitted wit a safety mechanism for catching fallen cyclist/pedestrians, i haven't seen it working.

I sometimes wonder how places like Ghent manage - loads of bikes, tram lines, but none of this panic.

Perhaps a return to 'demi ballon' tyres and old fashioned bikes would be wise where tram lines are. Somewhere in my old grey cells is a recollection of seeing black and white film from the continent of bicycles negotiating these lines without a problem.

Well done edinburgh

Mostly sensible stuff. I came a cropper first time out in Manchester from trying to cross the rail at a very shallow angle. Fortunately I just got wet and looked a bit silly. I've had a lot of practice falling off safely over the years, am getting better at it.

But... the bicycle people weren't wearing Hi Viz! And sometimes the bicycle wasn't in the parking lane!

To summarise. We have introduced a major hazard to the streets of Edinburgh but if you watch this tourist information film (Isn't Edinburgh lovely when the sun shines!) you will understand that any problems you have or injuries you sustain will be regarded as your fault.

Why trams? Wouldn't modern 'trolley-buses' have been a better solution? Croydon's tramlines almost put a cyclist under the mobile crane I was driving. Luckily it was all low speed and I was able to avoid a fatal accident (At one point his head was between my second and third axles).