In the San Francisco area I cycled a lot on streets with streetcar
tracks, and others with railroad tracks, but I don't remember regularly
using any as narrow as that one pictured, and we knew enough to avoid
crossing at a slight angle. It was rarely necessary, or desirable, to
cycle between the two tracks in one direction, but it was necessary and
desirable to cycle between the two sets of tracks when preparing for
left turns. However, at Grove and University, in Berkeley, there were
double streetcar tracks on both streets, with switches and turnouts to
allow practically any movement. I was making a left turn ahead of a
streetcar, and I think the tracks were not wet, but my rear wheel spun
out on that sheet of steel, and I was observing, at very close range, no
more than six feet away, what shall we call it, a cyclist catcher?


--
John Forester, MS, PE
Bicycle Transportation Engineer
7585 Church St. Lemon Grove CA 91945-2306
619-644-5481 forester@...
www.johnforester.com