[sustran] Bikes & Train Tracks

[Gerry Hawkes]

Dear Sustrans Members,

I just received the following inquiry from a doctor in Virginia, USA.   Does
anyone know of a solution to this problem?


 >>I am a physician practicing in Virginia who is also an avid biker and a
>>promoter of bike safety. I noticed the "blurb" about your company in the
>>MEDA newsletter. I have been troubled by the dangers that bike riders
>>face when crossing railroad tracks, particularly tracks that are diagonal
>>and nearly parallel to the road. We have two such crossings in our city
>>and every year we see several serious accidents in our Emergency Room
>>caused by the bike wheel getting caught in the "gap" beside the rails,
>>and throwing the rider to the pavement.  Who knows how many less serious
>>accidents go unreported.  The city has placed warning signs but have
>>taken no further steps to protect bikers. The railroad is "unresponsive"
>>to put it kindly.  Do you know of any solutions to this problem? Are you
>>aware of any device that could be placed in the gap that would support a
>>bike but be compressed by a  train wheel? If you have any leads or could
>>direct me to bulletin boards where these problems are discussed I would
>>be most appreciative.

Best regards,

Gerry Hawkes
Bike Track, Inc.
P.O. Box 235
Woodstock, VT 05091                 ghawkes at biketrack.com

www.biketrack.com