Campaign group Cycle Sheffield have this week revealed that there have been at least 228 cyclists who have crashed due to tram lines in the city over the past two years and they are now demanding improvements to the cycle network to prevent further incidents from occurring.
The group had previously launched a website so that all cyclists can report when and where they have suffered after falling off their bikes having come into contact with the tram tracks. It is said that several of those who have reported falling off have suffered serious injuries as a result.
The Chair of Cycle Sheffield, Ian Carey, commented: “Trams are an important part of Sheffield’s public transport system but sadly the issue of cycle accidents on the tram tracks is a major problem that must be tackled. Existing cycle infrastructure is poor, which discourages too many people from using their cycles on the roads of Sheffield. We want short¬ term fixes like cycle paths around the back of tram platforms to avoid the narrowing road. In the long term a high quality cycle network including segregated cycle paths on main roads will encourage more journeys by cycle and stop people having to share the road with tram tracks.”
In response a spokesperson from Sheffield City Council said: “We understand that tram tracks cause issues for road cyclists… We have investigated specific areas where accidents have occurred and will soon be in a position to report on the best possible solutions.”
Cycle groups do seem to be becoming increasingly vocal about their perceived vulnerability near tram lines. One only needs to look at the immense array of signs and road markings at the Welsh Highland Railway’s street running section across the Britannia Bridge in Porthmadog which were needed to allow it to be operated. I suppose signs and paint are far cheaper than a lawsuit.
To me these days everyone be they cyclist, motorist or pedestrian wants to claim that someone else or something else is responsible when accidents happen. What happened to responsibility to take care yourself? I would also ask why this problem seems to be more prevalent in Sheffield than elsewhere.
If some cyclists had their way all other forms of transport including pedestrians would be banned from the streets. They want everything their own way. The tram lines don’t leap out in front of people, they are there for all to see, and it shouldn’t be hard to cross them at a sensible angle. There should be an offence of riding without due care and attention.
You obviously haven’t experienced Sheffield cyclists – they make kamikaze pilots look timid!
228 incompetent cyclists as far as I can see. If one tries to cross a rail at a narrow angle, especially in the wet, it is just plain foolish. Treat tracks like other ironmongery in the carriageway. However, having been in Porthmadog last week, I have to say that the markings they now have are good.
Don’t know if they have an hidden agenda, but it’s the council themselves that have put up signs all around the tramway actively campaigning for cyclists to report incidents.
So the “slippery when wet” signs, stating the obvious, are part of this “no win, no fee” culture, and Sheffield’s roads have many potholes and cracks that must unseat cyclists, too, but there are no “warning, poorly maintained road with holes” signs there. The British obsession with rails in the street, dating from George Francis Train’s ‘step rail’ of his 1860s horse tramways, continues.
Surely as with other vehicles slippery / wet surfaces shouldn’t present any great difficulty to cyclists if their tyres are in good condition?
Cyclists can watch a video on Vimeo: “Streetcar Track Science” to see about tyres that do not get stuck in tramline grooves.
Are cyclists illiterate as well as colour blind? How often do you see them going through red lights or passing no entry signs. They ride on the pavements which is illegal and get abusive when you do not get out of their way. Instead of compensation fine them.