'Trip hazard' cycle lane dividers cause horror injuries in Glasgow

Herbert Graham, of Balornock, said he tripped over one of the armadillos on Wallacewell Road when running to catch a bus, and broke his wrist and arm.

The 67-year-old said: "My toe caught the corner of the armadillo and I went flying through the air.

"The corners of the dividers are black, the same as the pavement.

"I was full of adrenaline and got on the bus. The driver was in shock and passengers were asking if I was alright.

"It was only the adrenaline keeping me going. It wasn't until I arrived at my partner's house that I was in agony and the pain was just shooting up my arm. I'll never forget it."

Yvonne Pollock and Bert Graham pictured outside Balornock bowling club on Wallacewell Road, Balornock, Glasgow. Bert and Yvonne were both injured after tripping over an armadillo cycle lane segregator on Wallacewell Road. (Image: Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

At the hospital, Mr Graham was told he had broken his wrist and humerus bone.

Mr Graham, who suffered the fall in 2021, is still recovering from the injury two years later.

He said: "I couldn't get anaesthetised and they had no beds because of Covid.

"They gave me two jags and set my wrist. One doctor was pulling this way, the other doctor was pulling the other way.

"It was like being back in medieval days.

"I can assure you, the jags didn't numb the pain, it was agony.

"They sent me to physical therapy for eight months and I still don't have full capacity.

"But I was lucky I fell the way I did because if I fell on the road I could be dead."

Another resident, Yvonne Pollock, suffered from cracked ribs and badly scraped knees after tripping over an armadillo.

The 56-year-old said: "I tripped on the armadillo and went right down in front of it.

"I still have scars on my knees. It was scary."

The small dividers were bolted into the road in 2020 as part of the council's Spaces for People initiative but have since become a permanent addition.

A trial report carried out by the council in 2019 showed that all of the 30 armadillos were either damaged or slightly damaged, including discolouration of the reflective area on the top.

A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said: "We were not made aware of these incidents and we are sorry to learn that members of the public have been injured while walking in their community.

"All of our cycling infrastructure is subject to a rigorous safety audit and must be completed to the satisfaction of an independent road safety engineer and road safety specialists from the police.

"All the materials we use meet approved, national standards and, as part of the audit process, we will always make improvements as necessary.”