This summer, we’re reminding cyclists in the city to take care as they’re travelling near the tramline.
Our Trams travel through Leith, one of the most densely populated areas of the city, then along Princes Street and to Haymarket, before moving to the off-road section of the track.
As we move into summer, there are understandably more cyclists taking advantage of the weather, including people who cycle less frequently. To ensure the safety of all road users, we want to highlight some of the measures cyclists can take to safely travel alongside our trams:
Cycle Lanes
Where they're available, please use the dedicated cycling lanes through the city.
Crossing the tracks
Use designated crossing areas while near the off-road sections of the line. Remember to stop and look both ways before crossing.
When you cross the tracks, please do so at a 90-degree angle, to minimise the chance of wheels getting caught in the rail. Take care when crossing the tracks when the road is wet, as the rails could be slippery.
Cycling near the tram path
Trams are wider than the tracks they run on, so make sure you give them plenty of room. Don't wear headphones while cycling, so that you can hear trams approaching.
Ross Bennie-Crawford, Edinburgh Trams’ Assistant Safety Manager, said,
“As an organisation, we’re committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety across all of our operations. Over the years, we’ve highlighted measures that cyclists can take to ensure their safety near the tramway, as well as training our drivers to be highly aware of pedestrians and other road users.
“As the city gets busier over the summer, we wanted to remind cyclists of these safety measures, so we can all continue to share the road space responsibly.”
Up to two bikes can travel on the trams during off-peak times, if the space is available, although this service is paused during August, the busiest month of our calendar.
