Trolley Tracks: Yes we know, they suck

That's not to say that the trolley sucks, of course. I like the trolley. But almost everyone who rides a bike in Philadelphia has this one experience in common- getting thrown by trolley tracks.

Supposedly it's a 'Philly rite of passage'. Or at least that's what I was told, after I got thrown by the tracks on 43rd and Spruce while trying to pass someone.

I've been asked by a number of people why the Bike Coalition doesn't include trolley tracks in our 'Guide to Biking in Philly'. There's one main piece of advice: Try to go over trolley tracks at as close to a 90 degree angle as possible. This is the #1 way to make your wheels less like to fall in and get stuck.

Some additional tips:

• Pay extra attention on parts of your route that include trolley tracks, or choose a route that minimizes your encounters with them.

• On many streets there's not enough space to ride between parked cars and the first trolley track. Try riding in the lane between the two tracks- there's often more space that way.

• Trolley tracks get extra slippery when it is wet or there are lots of leaves on the ground, so be extra careful in when it's been rainy.

• If it's a really hairy intersection (such as the one pictured above), just get off your bike and walk it across. The inconvenience is better than getting your wheel destroyed.
  

Anyone have any advice for avoiding getting caught in Philly's trolley tracks, that I can add to the above list?

Cool trolley track photos from CityNoise.org.