This is a trade facing website. Visit the ACT's consumer site thecyclingexperts.co.uk for information and advice on cycling and find your local independent cycle retailer.

Search News

Results: 1-10 of 969


30 Nov 2023

New research from Lime entitled “Tackling the Gender Pedal Gap” has most women facing barriers to cycling, including poorly lit streets and isolated routes. The report claims...

27 Nov 2023

Torq Zone Academy, a leading institution of vocational training in South Africa, has been re-accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), for another five years, to offer...

27 Nov 2023

Cycling UK has released its annual 100 Women in Cycling list for 2023, the seventh such initiative to celebrate women across the British cycling community and those who inspire others to cycle.

27 Nov 2023

The former commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Lord Hogan-Howe, has said number plates should be introduced on the back of bikes to stop so many cyclists being a danger on...

23 Nov 2023

Retail sector leaders have expressed a range of concerns, from taxation to business rates, following the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement this week.

15 Nov 2023

The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA), which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, has outlined its expectations from the government...

14 Nov 2023

ACT member and Cytech-accredited Stonehaven shop Bike Remedy has been given permission to expand its offering by building a bike shelter and tool station outside its premises.

14 Nov 2023

As more people turn to cycling, more jobs are being created in the industry, according to an article in The Sun.

14 Nov 2023

Cytech Training Scotland, proudly operated by Bike for Good, is thrilled to celebrate a year of remarkable achievements in providing top-notch Cytech bicycle maintenance training. Over the past...

14 Nov 2023

The ACT is urging any cycling retailers affected by technical issues being reported with the 'buy now, pay later' app Klarna to consider whether they may be better served by switching to an...

Back to news menu

Edinburgh tram line cycling accidents cost taxpayer £1.26m in 10 years

Posted on in Cycles News , Outdoor News

More than £1.2 million has been paid out to cyclists who have fallen off their bike on Edinburgh's tram lines over the last decade.

Edinburgh

A freedom of information request (FOI) showed that 196 claims have been successfully made by cyclists who have sustained injuries or damage to their bike after slipping on tracks or getting wheels stuck.

Since 2012, £1,262,141 has been paid out by the council, which stressed that work is ongoing along the network to enhance safety for cyclists. Overall there have been 422 accidents involving cyclists on tram lines in the city.

Edinburgh City Centre councillor Claire Miller, Greens, said the figures are "just the tip of the iceberg as many people don’t contact the council when they are injured".

She said: "It’s outrageous that the council knows the tram line is dangerous for people on bikes, but it is paying out injury claims instead of making it safe. "Unless the council truly prioritises road safety, and invests in making safe spaces for cycling, hundreds more people will be hurt.”

Professor Chris Oliver from Spokes Lothian Cycle Campaign added: “I’m not unsurprised that trams system related cycling injuries continue.

"Spokes - The Lothian Cycling Campaign originally advised prior to the construction of the Edinburgh Tram line that the infrastructure should be protected and that cyclists should not be freely mixed with trams. An expert even came over to advise but the advice was not heeded.

"There have been some recent improvements, but these have come slowly and too late. I’m sure there will be continual waves of litigation from injured cyclists, some of whom will be permanently injured and have reduced capacity to work."

Edinburgh's transport convener Scott Arthur said: “It is important to note that some of these claims pre-date the opening of the line and the many safety improvements made since then.

"Nonetheless, the number of claims submitted is concerning to me. I am committed to ensuring the safety of all road users, and I know that over the last five years the Council has been working on a phased package of improvements to cycle safety along the tram route."

Safety changes made in recent years include new red-surfaced cycle lanes at key points along the tram route 'to direct cyclists on the safest route to cross the tram tracks to avoid getting their wheels stuck'.

Back to news menu

Useful links

If you have any other queries please contact us.