NEW light signals which allow cyclists to start ahead of other traffic are set to be introduced as part of safety improvements along Edinburgh’s tram route.
On May 31 last year, Malaysian student Zhi Min Soh tragically lost her life while cycling to university when her bike’s wheels became stuck in tram tracks at the junction of Shandwick Place and Queensferry Street and she was hit by a minibus.
Even before then a spate of accidents involving cyclists on the tram route had led to consultations between specialists working for the council and cycling groups such as Spokes and Sustrans to assess areas of potential conflict between cyclists and tramlines.
The early release signals, which are already operating at the junction of Leith Walk and McDonald Road and have been successfully used in other UK cities such as York and London, are part of a range of proposals going out to public consultation.
Two phases of improvements have already been carried out, and are said to have been welcomed by cyclists.
The new plans call for early release signals at 14 junctions along the on-street section of the tram route, and include two options for the Haymarket junction at Grosvenor Street, changes to the cycle lane alignment at Haymarket Station and a new mandatory cycle lane where Princes Street meets South St Andrew Street.
Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “Early release signals for cyclists have been credited with reducing collisions in cities where they’re already used so these are a particularly desirable option.”
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