bikeseattle.org

I’m a bit surprised by the location (as I cross it twice each time I ride in), but it has eight accidents over the past five years.

Seattle’s most dangerous intersection for bicyclists hardly looks the part: It’s flat, well-lit, signal-controlled. Where leafy Northeast Blakely Street crosses four-lane 25th Avenue Northeast just north of University Village, vehicles don’t travel much above 30 mph.

One rider notes “It’s the people making right turns,” she said. “They don’t always look for cyclists coming off the trail and crossing the road.”

I’ll absolutely agree. I’m reminded of the The Art of Urban Cycling, which for me sent the message of taking full responsibility when you’re on the bike. Not only for your own actions, but in anticipating the actions of others around you. Don’t assume.

Perhaps another reminder that when the crosswalk is blinking “don’t walk” that means stop (if there are cars trying to turn). It could be the only chance they get to turn. That and it’s technically against the law.

Little things to help spread good will.

Another thing I’ll do at this same intersection (on each side) is to stop enough before the intersection to give pedestrians room to walk through. Lots of times there will be crowds of bikers all queued up and if people are coming they have to either snake through or around all of the bikes. To me it seems like a common courtesy to give them room to pass freely. Not to break the flow of things perhaps. It’s sort of similar to how I feel when I walk out of some place and there are hoards of smokers *just* outside the door. Can’t you move that a bit further away? (of course we have a law for that too so I guess I’m not alone)

Full PI article.