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A misty street view showing tram tracks and overhead power lines disappearing into a thick white fog.

A misty street view showing tram tracks and overhead power lines disappearing into a thick white fog.

Hazy Transit

#Photography #UrbanLandscape #MistyMorning #TramLines #CoastalCity #MorningLight #Cityscape

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Start of Spokes tramline pages...

Tram issues and development

    Separate page for the tramline extension to Leith & Newhaven
    Separate page for Granton to Bioquarter
    See also our Princes Street and City Centre page

Contents

1. Important – Reporting tramline crashes
2. Minimising your chances of a tramline crash
3. Developments & documents relating to Edinburgh tram
4. Other useful tram documents [not Edinburgh], including design guidance
1. Reporting tramline crashes

All crashes or other incidents relating to tramlines should be reported – this will help future potential victims by identifying causes and possible remedial measures.  It may also help you if you later decide to make a claim for injury or damage.

See our reporting page which covers..

    Making an official report to the Council
    Spokes survey/records of crashes, to help identify causes and press for improvements
    Police – when/why report a tramline crash?
    Claiming for injury or damages [also see para 2301 in (2) below for some successes]

Please check out our reporting page even if your tramline crash was in the past and even if you have already made a report to the Council, police or elsewhere.

Back to top of page
2. Minimising your chances of a tramline crash

See our information sheet, which also includes some background on tramline bike crashes and why they happen.

Back to top of page

Start of Spokes tramline pages... Tram issues and development Separate page for the tramline extension to Leith & Newhaven Separate page for Granton to Bioquarter See also our Princes Street and City Centre page Contents 1. Important – Reporting tramline crashes 2. Minimising your chances of a tramline crash 3. Developments & documents relating to Edinburgh tram 4. Other useful tram documents [not Edinburgh], including design guidance 1. Reporting tramline crashes All crashes or other incidents relating to tramlines should be reported – this will help future potential victims by identifying causes and possible remedial measures. It may also help you if you later decide to make a claim for injury or damage. See our reporting page which covers.. Making an official report to the Council Spokes survey/records of crashes, to help identify causes and press for improvements Police – when/why report a tramline crash? Claiming for injury or damages [also see para 2301 in (2) below for some successes] Please check out our reporting page even if your tramline crash was in the past and even if you have already made a report to the Council, police or elsewhere. Back to top of page 2. Minimising your chances of a tramline crash See our information sheet, which also includes some background on tramline bike crashes and why they happen. Back to top of page

Spokes information sheet, last updated Nov 2025
TRAMLINE BIKE-CRASH DANGERS, AND HOW TO MINIMISE THE RISKS
Spokes has received many reports of crashes on Edinburgh’s tramlines, some with serious injury. Based on
this, and other sources, we here make suggestions for reducing your chances of becoming another victim.
If you have had a tramline crash (recently or in the past) please complete our survey, which provides us
with useful information about the nature and causes of tramline crashes. We also suggest where and
how to report your crash formally – and to get legal advice if necessary.
Here ... www.spokes.org.uk/documents/public-transport/tram.
How to Minimise the Likelihood of a Tramline Crash
(a) approach the tramline as close to 90 degrees as possible – unfortunately the tramline layout is such
that anything near to 90 degrees is impossible in many places
(b) it is often said that an angle of 60 degrees or more is pretty safe from the trapping hazard – but skidding
is still a serious risk, especially if wet. Angles below 45 degrees are increasingly risky for both hazards
(c) cross the tramlines in a straight line, not cornering. When cornering, the bike is leaning slightly, which
makes skidding more likely
(d) avoid braking when crossing tramlines – this can make skidding more likely
(e) do not slow down to cross tramlines, and do keep a sensitive but firm grip on your handlebars. This
should help your wheel to roll over the tramline groove with less chance of being deflected into it
(f) as far as possible (and it is often not possible) keep a good distance from motor vehicles, especially
behind you. Traffic pressures make crashes more likely, for example affecting your crossing angle
(g) cycling between tramlines can provide a relatively traffic-free route, but we don’t advise it because it
requires two tramline crossings at dodgy angles - and we know of crashes that have resulted
(h) be very aware that many of the crashes reported to Spokes are from experience…

Spokes information sheet, last updated Nov 2025 TRAMLINE BIKE-CRASH DANGERS, AND HOW TO MINIMISE THE RISKS Spokes has received many reports of crashes on Edinburgh’s tramlines, some with serious injury. Based on this, and other sources, we here make suggestions for reducing your chances of becoming another victim. If you have had a tramline crash (recently or in the past) please complete our survey, which provides us with useful information about the nature and causes of tramline crashes. We also suggest where and how to report your crash formally – and to get legal advice if necessary. Here ... www.spokes.org.uk/documents/public-transport/tram. How to Minimise the Likelihood of a Tramline Crash (a) approach the tramline as close to 90 degrees as possible – unfortunately the tramline layout is such that anything near to 90 degrees is impossible in many places (b) it is often said that an angle of 60 degrees or more is pretty safe from the trapping hazard – but skidding is still a serious risk, especially if wet. Angles below 45 degrees are increasingly risky for both hazards (c) cross the tramlines in a straight line, not cornering. When cornering, the bike is leaning slightly, which makes skidding more likely (d) avoid braking when crossing tramlines – this can make skidding more likely (e) do not slow down to cross tramlines, and do keep a sensitive but firm grip on your handlebars. This should help your wheel to roll over the tramline groove with less chance of being deflected into it (f) as far as possible (and it is often not possible) keep a good distance from motor vehicles, especially behind you. Traffic pressures make crashes more likely, for example affecting your crossing angle (g) cycling between tramlines can provide a relatively traffic-free route, but we don’t advise it because it requires two tramline crossings at dodgy angles - and we know of crashes that have resulted (h) be very aware that many of the crashes reported to Spokes are from experience…

BACKGROUND TO TRAMLINE CRASHES AND WHY THEY HAPPEN
1. Layout of the tramline network
Tramline layouts should aim to minimise or avoid bike/tramline interaction as far as possible. The ideal
solution is segregated bike lanes, with tramline crossing points at angles as close as possible to 90 degrees.
Sadly, the Edinburgh phase 1 layout neglected this and so is more prone to tramline bike crashes than it
needed to be. The Princes Street tramlines are in the centre of the road, with a wide central reservation,
rather than tramlines on one side of the road and a segregated bike lane on the other. Thus you are cycling
on the roadway with no physical separation from the tramlines - and crossing angles tend to be poor.
Phase 2 learned from this and provided segregated bike lanes in Leith Walk: the bike lane designs could be
better, but thanks to segregation from tramlines we have not had a single tramline crash reported there.
A particularly dangerous (and scary) layout feature is where you are expected to cycle on the road adjacent
to the tramline, and there is limited width. In this case you may hit the tramline at a dangerous angle as a
result of some unexpected and unavoidable event; for example...
 If there is kerb on your left, a walker may step off the pavement without looking, so you move right
to avoid hitting them; we know of one such a crash, with very serious injuries, at Haymarket Yards.
This could also occur just before Haymarket Stn, where the bike lane abuts footway and tramline.
 If there is a traffic lane on your left (as in Princes Street, at the West End junction heading for
Shandwick Place) you may be forced to the right by a long vehicle or aggressive driver.
2. Travel direction
There are two types of crashes
 You are needing to cross all the rails, e.g. at a junction, or to get to the other side of the road
 You are cycling in the same direction as the rails: surprisingly, there are many such crashes.
3. Presence of traffic
This is a major aggrav…

BACKGROUND TO TRAMLINE CRASHES AND WHY THEY HAPPEN 1. Layout of the tramline network Tramline layouts should aim to minimise or avoid bike/tramline interaction as far as possible. The ideal solution is segregated bike lanes, with tramline crossing points at angles as close as possible to 90 degrees. Sadly, the Edinburgh phase 1 layout neglected this and so is more prone to tramline bike crashes than it needed to be. The Princes Street tramlines are in the centre of the road, with a wide central reservation, rather than tramlines on one side of the road and a segregated bike lane on the other. Thus you are cycling on the roadway with no physical separation from the tramlines - and crossing angles tend to be poor. Phase 2 learned from this and provided segregated bike lanes in Leith Walk: the bike lane designs could be better, but thanks to segregation from tramlines we have not had a single tramline crash reported there. A particularly dangerous (and scary) layout feature is where you are expected to cycle on the road adjacent to the tramline, and there is limited width. In this case you may hit the tramline at a dangerous angle as a result of some unexpected and unavoidable event; for example...  If there is kerb on your left, a walker may step off the pavement without looking, so you move right to avoid hitting them; we know of one such a crash, with very serious injuries, at Haymarket Yards. This could also occur just before Haymarket Stn, where the bike lane abuts footway and tramline.  If there is a traffic lane on your left (as in Princes Street, at the West End junction heading for Shandwick Place) you may be forced to the right by a long vehicle or aggressive driver. 2. Travel direction There are two types of crashes  You are needing to cross all the rails, e.g. at a junction, or to get to the other side of the road  You are cycling in the same direction as the rails: surprisingly, there are many such crashes. 3. Presence of traffic This is a major aggrav…

4. Construction detail
 Does the top of the tramline protrude above the road surface? Where this is the case, skidding is
much more likely. We understand that ORR (now UK Tram) guidance suggests a 6mm tolerance
between +3mm/-3mm above/below the road surface level.
 Even where construction was done correctly, this height distance may worsen if the adjacent road
surface sinks
 Further hazards can occur if other construction or maintenance flaws result in gaps between the
road surface and the tramline, or in the road surface breaking up
 According to experienced tram/railway commentator Dave Holladay, all the above apply in parts of
Edinburgh’s first tramline – see his article referenced in (6) below.
5. Skidding and wetness
Crashes can occur when wheels...
 get trapped in tramlines, thus stopping instantly
 skid on tramlines – contrary to public perception, our crash reports survey suggests that more
tramline bike crashes result from skidding on the rails than from wheels getting trapped. Of 72
reported cases, 38% said they were caused by skidding, 21% by skidding followed by wheel-
trapping, and only 31% by wheel-trapping alone.
Skidding...
 is more likely when it is wet
 is more likely when tramlines protrude above the road surface, as in (4) above, or if there are
certain other construction or maintenance defects
 is more likely when meeting the tramline at a small angle, but can occur at any angle, even angles
considered safe from trapping
6. More about tramline crashes
 There is more about tramlines and tramline crashes, including how to report crashes, the history of
the Edinburgh system as it affects cycling, and more, on the Spokes website, at
www.spokes.org.uk/documents/public-transport/tram
 There is now an online portal linking to UK campaign group
tramcrash reporting sites - initially Edinburgh, Sheffield and
Nottingham. Find it at tramcrash.co.uk – see graphic
 There is an interesting commentary on the Edinburgh tramlines
(phase 1) by transpor…

4. Construction detail  Does the top of the tramline protrude above the road surface? Where this is the case, skidding is much more likely. We understand that ORR (now UK Tram) guidance suggests a 6mm tolerance between +3mm/-3mm above/below the road surface level.  Even where construction was done correctly, this height distance may worsen if the adjacent road surface sinks  Further hazards can occur if other construction or maintenance flaws result in gaps between the road surface and the tramline, or in the road surface breaking up  According to experienced tram/railway commentator Dave Holladay, all the above apply in parts of Edinburgh’s first tramline – see his article referenced in (6) below. 5. Skidding and wetness Crashes can occur when wheels...  get trapped in tramlines, thus stopping instantly  skid on tramlines – contrary to public perception, our crash reports survey suggests that more tramline bike crashes result from skidding on the rails than from wheels getting trapped. Of 72 reported cases, 38% said they were caused by skidding, 21% by skidding followed by wheel- trapping, and only 31% by wheel-trapping alone. Skidding...  is more likely when it is wet  is more likely when tramlines protrude above the road surface, as in (4) above, or if there are certain other construction or maintenance defects  is more likely when meeting the tramline at a small angle, but can occur at any angle, even angles considered safe from trapping 6. More about tramline crashes  There is more about tramlines and tramline crashes, including how to report crashes, the history of the Edinburgh system as it affects cycling, and more, on the Spokes website, at www.spokes.org.uk/documents/public-transport/tram  There is now an online portal linking to UK campaign group tramcrash reporting sites - initially Edinburgh, Sheffield and Nottingham. Find it at tramcrash.co.uk – see graphic  There is an interesting commentary on the Edinburgh tramlines (phase 1) by transpor…

#Tramlines & 🚲 #crash

🙋 Our info--> www.spokes.org.uk/documents/pu...

@peternimmo.bsky.social @manbikesdog.bsky.social @zoebanksgross.bsky.social @jaj991.bsky.social @lnr.bsky.social @owlernook.bsky.social @ianwalker.bsky.social @samwake.bsky.social @williamnb.bsky.social @slothlydad.bsky.social

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Links to BETTER CITIES The world’s most electric city | Future of Cities BETTER CITIES They Tore Down a Highway and Made it a River (and traffic got better) 🏙 The...

#better #cities Links to BETTER CITIES #interstate #highways #smart_city_in_the_desert #greencities #tramlines
tom-gillispie.blogspot.com/2022/06/citi...

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This is nice.😊They have good taste.😊
#Alamy #Guinness #Dublin #Ireland #Tramlines #History

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Sold a photo through my photo agency Alamy.com this time a shot of the tramlines in a back street near the Guinness Factory in Dublin, Ireland. For use of this photo at large size visit Alamy and search for AYATGN.

#Alamy #Guinness #Dublin #Ireland #Tramlines #History #Historical

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SHEFFIELD. SOUTH YORKSHIRE. ENGLAND. 07-10-21. High Street, the Cathedral tramstop in the city centre. The cobbles are wet from a recent rain shower Stock Photo - Alamy Download this stock image: SHEFFIELD. SOUTH YORKSHIRE. ENGLAND. 07-10-21. High Street, the Cathedral tramstop in the city centre. The cobbles are wet from a recent rain shower. - 2G8GRTR from Alamy's...

www.alamy.com/sheffield-so...
SHEFFIELD. SOUTH YORKSHIRE. ENGLAND. 07-10-21. High Street, the Cathedral tramstop in the city centre. The cobbles are wet from a recent rain shower.
#Sheffield #SouthYorkshire #streetphotography #tramlines #trams #transport

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"OBEY..."

Revisiting a spot I photographed two years ago in Sydney CBD...

#hiyafoto #bnw #bnwphotography #blackandwhite #sydney #australia #cbd #obey #streetphotography #streetart #tramlines

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"Boy Vs Tram"...

Out on the streets of the Sydney CBD.

#hiyafoto #bnw #bnwphotography #blackandwhite #monochrome #sydney #nsw #australia #cbd #tram #bicycle #boy #wheelie #tramlines

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Sold a photo through my photo agency Alamy.com this time a shot of the tramlines in a back street near the Guinness Factory in Dublin, Ireland. For use of this photo at large size visit Alamy and search for AYATGN.

#Alamy #Guinness #Dublin #Ireland #Tramlines #History #Historical

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The Tramlines line up is officially announced!

WOLF ALICE, FATBOY SLIM, COURTEENERS, WET LEG, KAISER CHIEFS, BLOSSOMS & LOTS MORE!

👉 See the full details: www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/top...


#Sheffield #SheffieldForum #Tramlines #Tramlines2026

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TRAMLINES 2026: EVERYTHING WE KNOW SO FAR! 🎸🔥

Fatboy Slim, Courteeners, Kaiser Chiefs, Rick Astley, Blossoms, The Vaccines, Vanessa Carlton + MORE leaked...


Full verified & rumoured list 👇
www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/top...


#Sheffield #Tramlines2026 #Tramlines #SheffieldForum

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TRAMLINES 2026 LINEUP LEAKS – WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR! 🎸🔥

Wolf Alice, Kaiser Chiefs, Courteeners, Fatboy Slim, Blossoms, Rick Astley, Reverend and the Makers, The K’s + MORE.


Full rundown here 👇
👉 www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/top...


#Sheffield #Tramlines2026 #Tramlines #SheffieldForum

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A close up photo of five tins of baked beans being held in a circle by five people. Written on the cans are "Courteeners", "Rick Astley" and "Fatboy Slim"

A close up photo of five tins of baked beans being held in a circle by five people. Written on the cans are "Courteeners", "Rick Astley" and "Fatboy Slim"

Spotted by one of our contributors out in the wild 👀

The first names for @tramlinesfestival.bsky.social 2026: Fatboy Slim, Rick Astley, Courteeners and The K's.

#Tramlines

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Sold a photo through my photo agency Alamy.com this time a shot of the tramlines in a back street near the Guinness Factory in Dublin, Ireland. For use of this photo at large size visit Alamy and search for AYATGN.

#Alamy #Guinness #Dublin #Ireland #Tramlines #History #Historical

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Links to BETTER CITIES The world’s most electric city | Future of Cities BETTER CITIES They Tore Down a Highway and Made it a River (and traffic got better) ^ The ...

#better #cities Links to BETTER CITIES #interstate #highways #smart_city_in_the_desert #greencities #tramlines
tom-gillispie.blogspot.com/2022/06/citi...

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Sold another photo through my photo agency Alamy.com, this time some tramlines near the Guinness Factory in Dublin. For further use of this photo you can visit Alamy and search for AYATGN. #Guinness #Tramlines #Dublin #Ireland #History #Irish

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Red Rum Club - "People try to be cool with their influences, but when you think about it, it's McFly, Busted and School of Rock" Video calls from Vegas, horror films and early 2000s pop-punk – Now Then discover what inspires Red Rum Club.

“I got a FaceTime call from my partner. She was on the school run, I was just in Vegas. It was a very short conversation"

We spoke to Red Rum Club at @tramlinesfestival.bsky.social about their early influences, first gigs, and the strange situations you find yourself in when touring.

#Tramlines

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Preview
Links to BETTER CITIES The world’s most electric city | Future of Cities BETTER CITIES They Tore Down a Highway and Made it a River (and traffic got better) ^ The ...

#better #cities Links to BETTER CITIES #interstate #highways #smart_city_in_the_desert #greencities #tramlines
tom-gillispie.blogspot.com/2022/06/citi...

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0.31.0 - We Are The Youth Gone Wild (Week 31 Wrapup) A music blog where I, Rich, try to listen to more than 1000 albums in a year, in order to beat a quiz show contestant I saw on TV.

I finally managed to finish writing another blog, this time detailing my #tramlines experience, an appeal for bands I like to stop releasing EPs, and some complaining about The Youth. Enjoy! #music #blog

www.recordreconstructor.com/2025/08/0300...

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(For clarity, she got lost at #Tramlines, requiring multiple strangers to search for her. She wasn’t dealing coke or anything).

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Our 7 year old just introduced herself to a new friend made in the playground as “I’m named after a show, and I’m #Tramlines famous for the wrong reasons”, complete with roguish smile and raised eyebrow. 😆

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Links to BETTER CITIES The Next Great Cycling City BETTER CITIES They Tore Down a Highway and Made it a River (and traffic got better) ^ The Secret to Japan's Grea...

#better #cities Links to BETTER CITIES #interstate #highways #smart_city_in_the_desert #greencities #tramlines
tom-gillispie.blogspot.com/2022/06/citi...

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Preview
Links to BETTER CITIES They Tore Down a Highway and Made it a River (and traffic got better) BETTER CITIES The Secret to Japan's Great Cities ^ When Building a Bra...

#better #cities Links to BETTER CITIES #interstate #highways #smart_city_in_the_desert #greencities #tramlines
tom-gillispie.blogspot.com/2022/06/citi...

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Tramlines Fringe: Taut Angles, Precious Metals, Dearthworms and more at Sidney & Matilda With more than 30 acts over 3 days, the Sidney & Matilda team provide the perfect platform for up-and-comers.

Sidney & Matilda hosted one of the more ambitious #TramlinesFringe lineups this year, with more than 30 artists across two stages over three days.

On the Friday night, Steve Hunting caught Taut Angles, Dearthworms, Electric Tape Recorder, Precious Metals and Strixen.

#Sheffield #Tramlines

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Tramlines Fringe: Cattle Grid, Knorke and Mock Tudors at Delicious Clam With 400 performances across 40 venues to come, Delicious Clam’s three-gig Thursday showcase kickstarted the weekend to maximum effect.

"I got bored with constantly being pushed in the direction of string quartets!"

We caught Cattle Grid, Knorke and Mock Tudors at Delicious Clam for the start of #TramlinesFringe.

#Sheffield #Tramlines

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Monday 28th July
The Alternative Cobra logo
The Alder
Sheffield

Show tonight, y'all!

Monday 28th July The Alternative Cobra logo The Alder Sheffield Show tonight, y'all!

Post #Tramlines blues?

We've got the remedy!

The #CobraQuiz is LIVE tonight, 7:30pm, at Alder. Come on down for free and play along with Sheffield's funniest game!

See you this evening!

#LiveComedy #QuizShow #FreeEntry

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Tramlines 2025. #tramlines

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Band on a tiny stage somehow fitting in singer, keyboards, drums, guitar, 2 trumpets and sax

Band on a tiny stage somehow fitting in singer, keyboards, drums, guitar, 2 trumpets and sax

Post #TramLines at The Washington with Malah Palinka

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At #TramLines tonight, the bands waited to come on stage when the penalty shootout was happening, while the crowd was watching it on their phones and cheering.

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#Tramlines band #11 - Sigrid. While I made my feelings about who I wanted to close the smaller stage clear, Sigrid put on a high energy set to a jazzed up crowd who were ready to dance, even if the tent was only 1/3rd full.

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