In the last six months, more than 120 bike incidents have been recorded involving Sheffield’s tram lines reports The Star. Cycle Sheffield say that 20 per cent involved broken bones with others also resulting in serious injuries.

The campaign group set up www.tramcrash.co.uk six months ago as it felt there was a lack of data about such incidents. Dexter Johnstone explained: “It’s important the police record these incidents because road accident data is used by councils to work out which roads need safety improvements. Some parts of the tram route are cycle accident black spots, but this isn’t reflected in police data.”

David Young, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) interim director general, said it was unavoidable that some cycle routes would share roads with the Supertram. However, Matt Turner, Cycle Sheffield chairman, argued that infrastructure was needed that would keep cyclists safe when riding near tramlines.

“Everyone in Sheffield seems to know someone who’s crashed while riding on a road with tramlines. It’s not a matter of just being careful and it doesn’t seem to matter how experienced you are, it can happen to anyone. We need to install good cycle facilities along tram routes to keep people safe when cycling around Sheffield.”

Cycle Sheffield’s findings echo the situation in Edinburgh where lawyers have said that a fatality is ‘inevitable’ unless action is taken. Thompsons Solicitors, which is dealing with nearly 100 claims against Edinburgh City Council following tram track injuries, are calling for a cycle route to guide riders over the tram lines at a safe angle. The first test case is due in November, and Thompsons expects individual payouts of up to £10,000 if claims are successful.

Tram tracks also played a part in the death of cyclist Roger de Klerk in Croydon in 2013. The coroner said that when the wheels of de Klerk’s bike came into contact with tram lines, he lost control and fell into the path of a bus. The inquest was told that the wheels were narrower than the grooves of the tram tracks, so it was possible the bike had got stuck as he crossed at a shallow angle.