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[Study] The Most Dangerous Places for Cyclists in Portland

Posted on June 21, 2021 in

Portland is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the United States. Not only is cycling a popular pastime for many Portlanders, but it is also how over 22,000 commuters get to work every day. While Portland may be ahead of other cities in its bike infrastructure and is attempting to transform its bike paths, it can still improve rider safety. From 2015-2019, there were 2,420 bike crashes in the Portland metro area, according to crash data from the Oregon Department of Transportation and Washington State Patrol. 

Additionally, fatal traffic crashes, in general, have increased sharply during the pandemic – the 54 deaths that occurred in 2020 were the most in Portland since 1996. It’s clear that, despite the city’s focus on bicycle safety, cyclists are still at risk. So, what information do cyclists need for a safer ride? We worked with data visualization firm 1Point21 Interactive to analyze five years of crash data in the Portland metro area.  We identified where bike crashes are most likely to occur, what causes them, and which intersections are most dangerous for cyclists.

Where Do Crashes Occur?

The majority of bike crashes in Portland occur in two places: bike lanes and at intersections. Bike Lanes During the study period, 66 percent of crashes occurred on roads with some form of bike infrastructure (such as regular lane, protected lane, bike-only path). Only 14 percent of Portland’s street mileage contains any kind of bike infrastructure. By comparison, roadways with no bike lanes – 86 percent of all road mileage – saw just 43 percent of crashes.

Where Do Crashes Occur?

This doesn’t necessarily mean that bike lanes are more dangerous – rather it reflects that cyclists prefer riding on roads with bike lanes.  However, this data does serve as a good reminder for cyclists that they should still be aware of their surroundings – even when riding in a bike lane. 

Bike lanes are proven to increase safety on the road, but they don’t guarantee it. Additionally, not all bike lanes are made equal. For example, protected bike lanes separated from traffic by an actual barrier are much more effective in preventing traffic fatalities than painted bike lanes, for example.

Intersections Regardless of the bike infrastructure, intersections are the most dangerous places for cyclists in the Portland metro area. Just over 84 percent of Portland-area bike crashes took place at intersections (including driveways).* When compared to all other crashes (any motor vehicle collision not involving a bicycle), cyclists are much more likely to be struck at an intersection than occupants of motor vehicles.

Where Do Crashes Occur?

*The numbers don’t add up to 100 percent because one crash can take place in two different types of bike lanes. For example, if a crash occurs at an intersection of a bike lane and a roadway without a bike lane, it  counts as one of both.

What Are the Most Dangerous Intersections for Cyclists in the Portland Area?

As previously mentioned, intersections are among the most dangerous places for cyclists. We mapped hotspots in the metro area to highlight high-crash intersections and discovered that many are in popular cycling areas including Downtown Portland (132 crashes) and Inner Southeast (215 crashes), while others can be found across the metro area.

What Are the Most Dangerous Intersections for Cyclists in the Portland Area?

The 20 most dangerous intersections in the Portland metro area, ranked by crash volume from 2015-2019:

Rank Intersection City Bike Crash Pct Bike Injury
1 NW Broadway and NW Hoyt ST Portland 10 67% 10
2 S Moody Ave and S Sheridan ST Portland 6 55% 6
3 NW 20th Ave and NW Everett ST Portland 6 60% 6
4 N Broadway and N Flint Ave Portland 5 83% 5
5 SE 7th Ave and SE Hawthorne BLVD Portland 5 22% 5
6 NE Couch ST and NE Grand Ave Portland 5 16% 5
7 N Broadway and N Ross Ave Portland 5 100% 5
8 SE 24th Ave and SE Ankeny ST Portland 5 63% 5
9 NE 1st Ave and NE Broadway Portland 5 24% 5
10 N Going ST and N Interstate Ave Portland 5 17% 5
11 E Main ST and NE Brookwood PKWY Hillsboro 5 8% 5
12 SE 7th Ave and SE Salmon ST Portland 4 33% 4
13 NE Multnomah ST and NE Wheeler ST Portland 4 44% 4
13 SW Capitol Highway and SW Vermont ST Portland 4 44% 4
15 SW Greenway and SW Hall BLVD Beaverton 4 29% 4
16 NE Going ST and NE Martin Luther King Junior BLVD Portland 4 20% 4
17 SE 8th Ave and SE Sandy BLVD Portland 4 17% 4
18 NW Division ST and NW Eastman PKWY Gresham 4 8% 4
19 NE 181st Ave and NE Glisan ST Gresham 4 5% 4
20 NE Andresen Rd and SR 500 Vancouver 4 50% 2

When Do Crashes Occur?

Bike crashes are seasonal – spiking in the summer when Portland weather is most accommodating to cyclists. 32 percent of bicycle crashes take place between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – during rush hour. The number of crashes peak at 5 p.m., likely when most commuters are heading home from work and traffic is at its worst.

When Do Crashes Occur?

What Is Most Likely to Cause Bike Crashes?

In the majority of crashes, the driver, not the cyclist, is responsible for causing the bike crash.  This data proves wrong the common stereotype of reckless cyclists.  In fact, drivers were almost twice as likely to cause a crash than cyclists were.

What Is Most Likely to Cause Bike Crashes?

Most often, drivers failed to yield the right of way to the cyclist; this led to more than half of the bike crashes from 2015-2019. In contrast, only 11 percent of crashes were caused by the cyclist’s failure to yield.

What Is Most Likely to Cause Bike Crashes?

What Type of Collision Is Most Likely to Occur?

Collisions are most likely to occur while one or more participants are crossing paths or changing directions/turning at an intersection. 63 percent of crashes resulted from one or more participants turning and 26 percent from hitting the other participant at an angle, like a T-bone crash. Only eight percent involved participants traveling on the same road (sideswipe or rear ends).

What Type of Collision Is Most Likely to Occur?

What Is the Outcome of Bike Crashes?

Cyclists, unfortunately, are almost always the ones who suffer injuries or death – and suffer at least some type of injury in nearly every crash. From 2015-2019, 30 cyclists were killed in collisions with cars in the Portland area. During that same time, no driver was killed in collisions with cyclists.  Only two percent of drivers involved in crashes suffered any injuries, compared to 98 percent of cyclists.

What Is the Outcome of Bike Crashes?

Safety Tips for Cyclists

Because bike crashes are most common at intersections and in bike lanes, take the following safety precautions:

  • Before you go anywhere, get familiar with the city and its bike infrastructure through this map geared towards cyclists in Portland. The map helps you plan your route by identifying the types of bike lanes and locate safer options for cyclists.
  • Know you have safety resources available to you at all times.
  • Ride safely and predictably.
  • Assume that a motorist doesn’t see you and make your intentions extremely clear through signaling and eye contact.

Data Overview

Bike crashes for Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, and Clark counties from 2015-2019 from the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Washington State Police.   Bike lane analysis is limited to the city of Portland only. Methodology available upon request. If you would like to report or republish our findings, please link to this page to provide a citation for our work.

Contact Our Personal Injury Attorneys in Portland, OR – Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers

If you were injured in an accident in Portland, OR, please contact our Portland personal injury lawyers at Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.

Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers
101 SW Main St. #1905
Portland, OR, 97204
(503) 272-8986
Open 24/7

Hannah McCracken
Hannah McCracken
1699030863
Jason and Aaron have been a pleasure to work with they have been so organized and on top of everything since day one of taking over my very messy case. Julia has been a driving force behind them making sure my questions have been answered immediately and sufficiently she is so pleasant and shows genuine interest in my case. I truly believe Tillman Law has had my best interest at heart throughout this whole process.
Melannie Mosby
Melannie Mosby
1698102486
Very knowledagble, caring and responsive. They made sure I understood all my options. Aaron and his team have guided guided me through the process of my personal injury case. I was able to get a great outcome for my situation!
Ashley Duchemin
Ashley Duchemin
1697154230
I want to infinitely thank Mr. Tillman for his incredible work on my case. I'm so deeply pleased with the turnout. I thank him for all of his effort and determination that led to it. It truly shows his dedication and skill! In the future, I will be recommending him to everyone I know.I also want to thank everyone at his office who dealt with and had been patient with me. I was not the easiest client, and I really appreciate all of the work of Jason, Julia, and others to keep the case on track.
McKenzie Link
McKenzie Link
1696368367
Aaron was beyond personable, capable, and passionate throughout my case. He handled my traumatic incident with the upmost of care and took my case to trial with positive outcomes. I can’t tell you how much it meant to really know I had someone on my side.Even after the case was ruled, he has continued to stay in touch & explain future legal proceedings - truly he has held my hand every step of the way.If I ever find myself in a circumstance where I’m in need of another personal injury attorney, I will without a doubt give Aaron Tillmann a call. I would recommend him to any friend or loved one. Thank you Aaron!!!
Justin Vieth
Justin Vieth
1692118893
Alan Rogers
Alan Rogers
1691175931
Thanks Aaron, we truly appreciate everything you have done for us.I know that I was a handful early on, but you handled it with a deft touch and ultimately proved yourself to be a great advocate for our family none the less.Thanks so much Bud!You have my eternal respect and gratitude.
Tim Cheredayko
Tim Cheredayko
1689376069
Tillmann helped me out a lot! Going over ever detail with the case from both sides and always informing me what is going to happen through out the case. Definitely recommend Tillmann Law!
Justin W
Justin W
1688167505
I had the pleasure of working with Aaron and his team over the course of the last year. They were very professional and responsive. Dealing with injuries can be dreadful, but Aaron made it as painless as possible. I highly recommend.
Bonnie Thorn
Bonnie Thorn
1686939262
Aaron Tillmann and his entire staff were professional, empathetic and very knowledgeable. They assisted our family at a time when we were grieving the loss of our son with compassion and respect.
Tina Rutledge
Tina Rutledge
1683316276
Arisbet Bustos
Arisbet Bustos
1682535580
I am very grateful and pleased with the services of Lawyer Aaron and his team work, especially Julia, who was always attentive to my concerns and resolved my doubts with a good attitude and empathy, and best of all, she speaks Spanish. Thank you so much!!!
Ken Pollett
Ken Pollett
1682394554
I was involved in a serious auto accident. Not that there is a good time to be in any accident, it just happened to be 2020. Tillman Law and support staff kept me in the loop as the court system was disarray with all the Covid issues. The staff was very professional and courteous. In a nutshell, they took care of me.
Jordan Bedrick
Jordan Bedrick
1682367951
My husband was in a bad car accident a few years back, and he was stopped due to traffic. He was behind a fuel truck, and someone rear-ended him, going 60mph. The worst part was our 6 mo old was in our and the truck was totaled beyond repair and my husbands back injured severly he ended up with 2 broken vertebrae. Our child had ptsd any time getting into a vehicle after that. Tillman made this right even though we couldn't do much for our son other comfort him and make car rides more comfortable from there on out Tillman was able to get my husband the money he deserved after the other driver was extremely negligent and either not paying attention or on his phone or something unfortunately this was during covid and when the police came they didnt do a single thing to check for any of that. We can't say enough good things about Aaron Tillman he gave us our hope back and the ability to have back surgery to repair a lot of his back issues due to the car wreck. So if you have been in an accident definitely call Tillman Law they're amazing super professional, kind and empathetic beings who will work for the best possible outcome for your case and fight they won't just roll over and play dead they spent about 2.5 years on my husbands case never giving up. He was always super honest with my husband and always communicated everything. So again, thank you, Aaron Tillman, and thank you to your law firm for working so tirelessly. We appreciate it more than you know.
Cassie Kocker
Cassie Kocker
1679485024
Aaron is great. He is professional and personable which makes you feel cared about during the process. He will provide advice and resources so that the process is smooth and renders positive results. I highly recommend!
Michael Darling (Mike Rich)
Michael Darling (Mike Rich)
1678578656
Still working with them to this day! Great firm great people. Much recommend
Brittany Sloan
Brittany Sloan
1678128693
I can’t recommend Tillman Law enough. We were in a sticky situation from a car accident in December and my partner was out of work for over a month. Aaron told us we may not be able to get those lost wages, but he would definitely try to fight the insurance for them and even then we might not see the money for a long time. It’s only been 3 1/2 months since the accident and we just got our lost funds today. Tillman Law was quick, efficient, and made this entire situation much less painful. I appreciate everything they’ve done for us.
Hazel Ault
Hazel Ault
1676408436
Jennifer nelson
Jennifer nelson
1675127322
Great experience
Oksana Pavlenko
Oksana Pavlenko
1660939351
Really pleased with my experience at Tillmann Law. Mr. Tillmann and his team were on top of my case, worked hard to answer any questions I had and finished my case in a timely manner. I was really happy with the outcome . Thank you!
Robert Swanson
Robert Swanson
1659227101
Tucker Earp
Tucker Earp
1658161927
Linette Figueroa
Linette Figueroa
1634884433
Mr. Tillman took care of my care seamlessly! He immediately hopped on my case immediately and guided me through the entire process. His team is professional, organized and well-resourced! He even went back to ensure the settlement was beyond fair. If you want someone who will fight tooth and nail on your behalf- Mr. Tillman is your lawyer!
Robert Aley
Robert Aley
1634841379
I am so happy to promote Aaron and his team. They did such an amazing job handling my case. Call them if you need service. I called him when I first needed help with my accident and he called me back within five minutes. This team is so great! I am so happy to have worked with them.
Teresa Ochoa
Teresa Ochoa
1633214433
Mr. Tillmann and his paralegal Jason were fantastic to work with! They were always available to answer my questions in a timely manner and delivered a very good outcome after I was rear ended. I would recommend their services to anyone.
Roro Roro
Roro Roro
1631419364
Amazing team at the Tillman Law, LLC . His work speaks for it self. Thank you for being professional and above all understanding to different people. God bless everyone that works there .
Mercury Nightstone
Mercury Nightstone
1628733283
Aaron and his staff, especially Jason, were all extremely courteous, timely, and professional. Highly recommend, truly appreciate your hard work!
Danielle Martin
Danielle Martin
1627923620
The Tillman Law Firm is amazing! I have been very pleased with everyone that I came in contact with concerning my case. They filed the case against the insurance company and fought hard in litigation to get what rightfully was taken from me. I would highly recommend them, they are the best in the Portland metro area!
C ease
C ease
1624391464
Everyone told me that getting money from the insurance company isn’t easy and it takes a long time probably more then a year but when I decided to call Aaron about my situation and explained everything and right away he took my case and told me what to do every step of the way so I never had to deal with the insurance, made everything go smoother, felt very comfortable and reliable. In other words Aaron knows what he is doing and I would recommend him! Don’t go to anyone else cause he got me more money then what they wanted to give me and I am very happy right now thank you Aaron !!
Joey Russell
Joey Russell
1621191558
After my daughters car accident he was the only lawyer willing to take her case. She felt well cared for and he kept her informed of his progress. Highly recommended!
Gustavo Reynada
Gustavo Reynada
1620414579
Rodger Lamont
Rodger Lamont
1620413750
What a great job the people at Tillmann Law,LLC
Kate Adams
Kate Adams
1619623346
Aaron and Jason took my case back in December of 2019. They did a fantastic job negotiating with the insurance company, and I'm very happy with the outcome and the service that they provided. I would definitely recommend using their firm. Thank you again for your help!
Caitlin Chalmers
Caitlin Chalmers
1610940620
I had a great experience with Aaron. My case settled smoothly and for a fair amount more than I was expecting.
Alex Burykin
Alex Burykin
1602441916
Roman Burykin
Roman Burykin
1602274513
Aaron and Jason took our case right after Christmas in 2017. It was a very complicated situation that involved a handful of different people, several cars, multiple hospitals, uninsured drivers, and a negligent insurance company which took nearly three years for us to reach a conclusion on. It would've been a certain dead end had it not been taken on by the expertise of this firm. They were always there to answer questions and walked us through every step of the process along the way. Ultimately they scored a win in our favor and after several negotiations with the other party, we've reached an agreement on a settlement in September of 2020. Seeing how hard they fight for their clients, my family has opted to return to Tillmann Law several times since this first case for other, less significant events, all of which have also resolved in our favor. Highly recommend to hire this firm to represent your case.
Katelynne Lenhart
Katelynne Lenhart
1599758481
Aaron and his team are awesome and are always there to answer your questions through whatever hardship you are facing!
Olivia Kilgore
Olivia Kilgore
1598369089
Aaron was very helpful and responsive in helping with my case. I’d highly recommend him!
Roberto Garcia
Roberto Garcia
1596937605
First of all these guys will fight for you!. The thing is dealing with insurance companies is such a hassle that it interferes with our lives and they only want to pay out the bare minimum. Now that we have to go to doctors, physical therapy and chiropractic appointments, etc. just to get better, all while trying to go to work and then having to deal with the insurance company on top of that. There is no way to keep track of it all. This team will help you get the best result possible and also take care of the process and communication with your insurance company.
Christian Bewley
Christian Bewley
1593501254
I am glad that this is finally going to be completely resolved. It has taken a long time but there were complexities that we had to work through. I am very happy with your service. I am positive this was the highest and best outcome for me. I am still a little in awe of the discount you and Aaron were able to get. It is nothing short of amazing.I am completely satisfied with your hard work and the results. I would have never gotten the settlement on my own. Thanks again.
Mary Krettler
Mary Krettler
1580690987
Wonderful law firm!I contacted Aaron after I sustained a broken arm from tripping on a faulty sidewalk...An insurance adjuster wanted me to quickly sign off on the claim, offering a fraction for my growing medical bills...I refused and hired Aaron.From the beginning and throughout my ordeal, Aaron was professional yet caring and understanding...He and his paralegal Jason were always available for any questions and concerns I had.Aaron negotiated a fabulous settlement for me that I never would've achieved had it not been for his tenacity and perseverance.I would absolutely recommend him and his law firm to anyone who seeks legal help and justice!...Thanks again Aaron and Jason!...Couldn't have done it without you!
Jan Grammer
Jan Grammer
1578946267
We hired Aaron after our daughter and I were rear ended by an inattentive driver. My daughter was more significantly injured due to her delicate post-operative state. He helped us deal with uncooperative insurance companies and negotiated a very positive settlement . In fact, the look on the claims adjuster's face at the end of the medication session that settled the case reaffirmed that we had done very well. Aaron educated us along the way, and explained the process clearly so we knew what to expect. Both Aaron and his legal assistant Jason are both top notch, highly effective and a pleasure to work with. I recommend them very highly. Results speak for themselves!
Aaron Wilde
Aaron Wilde
1563938561
I asked Mr. Tillman to associate with me on a case in Oregon. I was pleased with Aaron’s work product. He responded quickly to my inquiries and was knowledgeable in the law. I would recommend his services.
Dwayne Harris
Dwayne Harris
1562913766
I suffered an injury in an auto accident before I retained Mr. Tillmann for his services. I appreciated his line of communicating with me in every instance what the plan of attack would be. After making a number of visits to doctors therapist, Mr. Tillman helped facilitate a careful and Savvy approach to persuade a defense that was at times uncooperative and unpersuaded. His ability to read our situation, resulted in a positive outcome that we can all live with. I highly recommend.
Laxmi Dady
Laxmi Dady
1552528446
Aaron and his team were incredible to work with. In addition to being extraordinarily thorough on the case and patient with me, they were tireless in ensuring I received the maximum amount possible in order to receive the care I needed. He genuinely cared for my well being, would call me just to check on the status of my health. He is an all-around stellar person to work with. I highly recommend his services to anyone seeking justice and care for personal injury cases.
Lena Kyle
Lena Kyle
1548603756
I came to Aaron 2 years ago frusterated, in pain and really confused. All i knew is I was hurt, nobody was listening and i didnt know what was gonna happen. Its a scarey space when your in that position. The being in pain and having no idea what the future holds. I feel like the moment I met with him i was being heard and felt like what happened to me mattered. He was very honest with be from the beginning about the process, what we had to work with and even the risks. I felt informed and communicated with. And we just won a huge victory. For me that means options are open, my family has security. I honestly dont know what would have happened with out Aaron and his team. Im just grateful for them standing up and helping me be heard. Thank You for your work and dedication. I highly recommend Tillman Law.
Elyse Tracy
Elyse Tracy
1546895918
I wasn’t sure about getting legal help with my collision claim, but when I went to Aaron, he made me feel comfortable with the process. I definitely got more than expected. I’m very happy with the outcome. Now things should be a little easier.
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