Capital council must act to ensure there are no more needless cycling tragedies

Your frontpage story yesterday reports the sad death of a 24- year- old woman cyclist, killed by a mini-bus in Edinburgh after her wheels became trapped in the tram track sat the Princes Street/ Lothian Road junction. This accident points out the dangers of heavy traffic for us all.

I hope the capital’s new council members will take serious note of this fatality and halt the proposals to put in cycle lanes on Roseburn Terrace, near Murrayfield. This section of the main road between Edinburgh and Glasgow is a very congested spot. Itis a main routefor city and long distanceb uses, also for all emergency vehicles.Local bu sinesses need to have deliver y vans and lorries parking for short spells, so it becomes an unhealthy, busy and dangerous spot for us all.

The plans for this new cycle lane are quite unnecessary as there is a safe off- road alterna- tive route for cyclists through Roseburn Park, connecting to the Haymarket area and the northbound cycle network.

In the midst oft hist ragedy for the young cyclist and her family, we alsoneed to remember the mini- bus driver involved, who is another victim of this accident.

FIONA GARWOOD Ormidale Terrace, Edinburgh Edinburgh is a death trap for cyclists. Firstly, the cycle lanes, such as they are, allow parking, so that cyclists attempting to cycle within them are compelled to swer ve out into the traffic lanes.

Secondly, the red zone areas at traffic lights are to give priorit y to cyclists, but how do you reach them? Do you go up the inside or the outside? Both are known to be dangerous.

Thirdly the appalling con - dition of Edinburgh’s roads. Pothol e s and r ough s urf a c - es, often near the kerb, make cycling hazardous, and in the dark absolutely lethal.

Fourthlyis the in tolerant attitude of some Edinburgh drivers.

Edinburgh’s record of cycling death is not great, as the sad incident at the West End on Wednesday involving tram tracks exemplifies.

H. A. N. MCKENZIE Grange Loan, Edinburgh S o sad that a young lady has died on Edinburgh tram lines. So sad but so utterly predictable. The Scotsman has regularly published on the numbers of tram line injuries and the high cost to the NHS – and to the council in compensation. When you fall off a bike your fate isin the lap of the gods; perhaps a small bruise, perhaps a broken limb or perhaps… Would a private company be allowed to get away with this appalling record?

A. B. WILSON Chesterhall House, East Lothian