Ghent (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): In Ghent, 500 annual cyclist falls prompt a €30,000 study by the Travelers and Cyclists Union, testing rubber fillings for tram tracks to enhance safety and reduce accidents.
In Ghent, people who ride bikes need to watch out for tram tracks because they can cause bad falls, especially when it’s slippery. Hospitals say there are about 500 falls each year, and some can be very serious. To help with this, the Travelers and Cyclists’ Union got 30,000 euros from Flanders to study the problem. They looked at using rubber to fill the tram tracks, which could help prevent bike wheels from getting stuck. However, there are issues with the rubber wearing out quickly because of the way trams move and stop.
What innovative solutions is Ghent testing to improve cyclist safety around tram tracks?
Huba explained that they thought rubber fillings for tram tracks would last two years, but they actually only last a few months. There have been many ideas for new materials, but none have been made widely available. In Ghent, they are testing rubber to fill the grooves in the tracks, which makes it more comfortable for cyclists, but it’s still unclear if it helps prevent falls. It has been said that they are also looking into moving some risky track switches to wider streets and adding clear markings on the road to help cyclists know where to ride safely. Ghent has already painted some bike symbols, but they might need better markings to really help.
The report talks about using rougher paint for road markings to help cyclists grip better, especially when it’s slippery, which can reduce falls. It also suggests making roads safer by removing obstacles and creating more ways for cyclists to avoid accidents since falls are common. Ghent is already working on this by getting rid of unnecessary posts that could hurt cyclists if they fall. The report wants cities in Europe to share their research on cycling safety better because they all face similar problems. The unions are asking for clearer rules and more money from Flanders to improve safety during road and tram projects.
