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16/07/2010 15:53:32
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MikeC
Posts 344
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I fell off my bike yesterday commuting along Eccles New Rd in Salford and badly dislocated my finger. I had to go to casualty to have put back in place and today i am all bumps and bruises.
As i am feeling so sore i have started to look at why i fell.
I basically caught my wheel in tramlines while commuting to work, the wet tramlines didnt help as my wheels skidded into the grooves. I was on my commuter bike with wide grippy tyres(for commuting) so as stable and as i could be.
After considering it more i feel it is a very dangerous road for cyclists.
The road has a cyclepath shared with tram lines(manchester metrolink) and cars.
The problem is that the cyclepath takes you on the left had side and then makes you cross over the tram lines at a very bad angle to continue forward. This is compounded by traffic who are either turning left or going forward which means you are going slowly over the tramlines and even more liable to get stuck in them.
Its a very serious accident waiting to happen given you fall in front of cars going at least 30mph along the road. Especially in the mornings when people are more concerned with getting to work on time. Its a very busy road as its the main road from the city to Eccles and near the motorway slip rd.
I think i was lucky to just to get the injuries i did and it has made me quite angry how the road and the cyclepath designed. Am i being grumpy, I thought i would get the opiinion of of other cyclists while warning them of this road and maybe feedback from a few who know of it.
edited by MikeC on 16/07/2010
edited by MikeC on 16/07/2010
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16/07/2010 16:42:15
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viv
Posts 2546
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Poor you  I hope you're ok. Im often frustrated about various dangerous positions we are put in and not being able to do much about it.
I know exactly where this is and i've had almost the same thing. I tend to wait till nothing is around and then cross them at right angles.
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16/07/2010 16:43:11
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charlesg
Posts 240
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Where there's blame there's a claim! Typical of most rubbish cycle lanes
Seriously, hope you're ok and this isn't going to interfere with our 3up performance, or does this leave me with a chance on the club handicap!
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16/07/2010 16:54:01
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Ian
Posts 158
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of couse it dangerous and it's not the first time it's happened, it's not your fault so make sure you get the compensation that you are entitled to.
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16/07/2010 17:08:56
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NickW
Posts 1386
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Hope you're okay Mike, you have my sympathies, I had a similar fall in the Tour of Flanders sportive on April when I hit a 1 inch high lip of concrete that joined the gutter in between the bike lane and the road when I moved out to avoid another rider who switched in front of me
Make sure you report the incident to the council so they are aware of where the blackspot is.
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16/07/2010 17:21:40
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MikeC
Posts 344
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Look at it like this Charles i have taken a standing count in the 9th, 3 rounds to go. Rocky came back.
The finger hurt more pulling it back into the joint.
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16/07/2010 17:33:38
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rothers
Posts 1017
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Mike thats one wonky looking finger..... hope you heal up quickly!
I know that road all too well from commutes from my folks and the way i used to counter it especially in the wet was to either move across the tram lines at 45 degrees at low speed when there was a natural break in traffic, or proceed to the lights in the lane and then cross at the lights but either way you then take the S**& from the motorists. Tram / train lines and bikes just do not mix well I still have regular nightmares crossing this little baby -
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=nantwich&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=Nantwich&gl=uk&ei=hYhATJbtN4G80gTVytWlDw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CCAQ8gEwAA
The lines cross the road at 45 degrees so you have to swing in to cross it safely - there are similar things with the tram lines on the a57 too and i've come a cropper.
Whether or not its the councils fault i'm in two minds, as i have no sympathy for folk who claim damages for falling off pavements  but this is something different that really ought to be looked into by the council.
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16/07/2010 23:52:14
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Scott B
Posts 245
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MikeC wrote:
Look at it like this Charles i have taken a standing count in the 9th, 3 rounds to go. Rocky came back. The finger hurt more pulling it back into the joint.
That looks like E.T's finger........ ooooouuuuuccccchhhhh!!!!!!!!!
Looks painfull mate, hope you recover well!
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19/07/2010 18:24:51
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Mr T
Posts 1429
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I have always avoided all roads with tram lines in Manchester for fear of this happening, I think they think everyone who uses bikes rides around with big fat knobbly tyres.
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19/07/2010 23:58:35
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Ben
Posts 726
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Hub.Willhub wrote:
they think everyone who uses bikes rides around with big fat knobbly tyres.
The council doesn't even think that much - they know they can get away with crap road design.
I've had issues on that road as well - I think there are 2 sections where you have to cross the tram lines riding out to Eccles. It's bad enough having to cross the left turn lane when there's traffic, let alone dodging the tram lines.
Hope your finger will be OK Mike, and that you're not going to be freaked out every time you ride across a tram line - maybe we could divert a club run along that road so we can all practise - I certainly need to build my confidence a bit. I heard about Edinburgh council offering 'cycling with tram line' training courses along Princes Street earlier this year !
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20/07/2010 00:06:32
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Dave S
Posts 489
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There must be lessons that can learnt from our european cousins, especially the dutch with the number of bikes and tram lines they have?
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20/07/2010 17:22:36
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ant
Posts 1047
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the bunny hop is your friend. i know, i live in Eccles! 
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