Cyclists get safer tram tracks in Ghent

The Belgian city of Ghent is trialling a new safety initiative which will see some of its tram tracks filled with an elastic compound in a bid to stop bikes getting stuck.

The city has partnered with the regional Flemish public transit operator De Lijn on the project after initial experiments were conducted at Ghent’s tram depot.

“I was able to test the half-filled tram tracks myself at the depot – it really does make a difference,” said Filip Watteeuw, Ghent’s Alderman for Mobility. “It’s good that De Lijn can now test this ‘on the ground’. We must do everything we can to make it safe for cyclists near tram tracks.“

How it works

The filling – a two-component elastic compound known for its strong adhesion and resistance to UV rays – is placed at a height so that it does not touch the tram wheels.

“Two tests have already been conducted before this, but this is the first one on the actual operating network,” a spokesperson from De Lijn told Cities Today. “Previously, we tested effectiveness with a trial audience at our depot, and another test was conducted at a different tram stop to assess the application and durability. This current test combines aspects from both previous tests under real-life conditions. We will evaluate the test by comparing images before and after the installation to provide an objective assessment of cyclists’ behaviour.”

In August 2021, Ghent University Hospital conducted a study revealing that approximately 500 people ended up in the emergency department each year due to falls on tram tracks with over half being due to bike wheels becoming lodged in the rail grooves.

Image: bvi4092 (flickr)