While, comparatively speaking, Issaquah, Washington, is a relatively safe place to ride a bike, there are certain areas of the city that prove more dangerous than others for cyclists. At Dean Standish Perkins & Associates, we recognize that, while crashes involving bikes and vehicles can occur anywhere, there are certain parts of Issaquah that see more serious bike crashes than others.
According to the Issaquah Times, the city saw about 3,800 collisions involving cars and bicycles over the last 10 years, and some areas of the city saw far more of these crashes than others. The area just south of the city’s University Bridge, for example, has more bicycle-car collisions than any other part of the city, even though is not among the city’s most heavily trafficked areas.
Just what is it about this area, then, that makes it such a hotbed for bike accidents? Some blame the fact that the bike lane in this area is only 4 feet wide, while others attest that visibility is bad in this area, making it difficult for turning motorists to see when cyclists are traveling in bike lanes. To help combat this, the city painted the crosswalk green to make it more visible to motorists.
Other parts of the city that are especially dangerous for bicyclists include the intersection of Second and University streets, the intersection of Melrose Ave. and Pine Street, and Second Street, between Union and Pike. While it may not be realistic to avoid these areas entirely, recognizing the dangers that you face while there may make you more careful and aware when navigating through them. You can find more information about bike crashes on our webpage.