Tram a-Traction

Watch out there's tram tracks about! These rails running down Princes Street, Edinburgh, have few friends. This sign acknowledges yet another problem - traction, or lack of it. If you cycle across the tracks you'll slip - and fall off. If you cycle alongside them your tyre will get stuck - and you'll fall off. Scary. So, they put some signs up. Thanks. After £45 million on Princes Street alone you'd think "something could be done".

There have been lots of accidents and "near misses" (i.e. "NEAR HITS", as George Carlin would point out) and after the trams start running I'm seriously worried there'll be deaths.

There have even been training courses for cyclists to deal with the tracks! The Guardian asked "Is Princes Street now too dangerous for cyclists?. It's hard enough to keep aware of the traffic without worrying that the road will suddenly throw you to the ground.

After negotiating Princes Street, I had green lights all down Dundas Street this morning and got to the office feeling pretty good. Edinburgh is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the UK, both in terms of road design and drivers' attitudes. I think that's why folks are so disappointed at the deadly tram tracks!