Minneapolis, Minnesota is known as one of the best cities in the US for bicycling. It has an extensive network of bike trails, curb-protected paths and bike lanes, making cycling a popular way to get around the city.
But despite the city’s best efforts to create a safe environment for cyclists, accidents still happen. Worse yet, there are a few spots in the city that seem to be a little more dangerous than others. If you are ever in a bike crash, know the attorneys at Brazil Sweeney Law Group will fight to protect your rights and get you the full compensation you deserve if you are injured.
High-Risk Intersections for Crashes in Minneapolis
Minneapolis adopted a Vision Zero approach to road safety and as part of that plan they began mapping roadways with a high frequency of collisions with serious injuries. They discovered that the majority of crashes and serious injuries were happening on a small percentage of streets. These tend to be streets that see a high amount of pedestrians and cyclists.
Intersections with the Most Reported Crashes in Minneapolis
- Hennepin Avenue at Lagoon Avenue
- Lyndale Avenue at Franklin Avenue
- Hiawatha Avenue at 26th Street
- Hiawatha Avenue at 28th Street
- Hiawatha Avenue at Lake Street
- Bowling Avenue near the onramps and offramps of I-394
High Risk Areas for Cyclists
Other areas and intersections around Minneapolis that can be more hazardous to cyclists include:
- Lake Street: This busy east-west road has fast-moving traffic and narrow bike lanes, especially where it crosses Lyndale Avenue & Hiawatha Avenue.
- Downtown: There are several busy intersections and one-ways along Hennepin Avenue, Washing Avenue and Nicolet Mall in downtown Minneapolis that are known for their heavy vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist traffic.
- Midtown Greenway Crossings: Despite the Greenway being a designated, grade-separated bicycle and pedestrian corridor, it still crosses several busy thoroughfares creating vulnerable spots at Hennepin Avenue, Lyndale Avenue, and Hiawatha Avenue.
- University of Minnesota Campus: With heavy foot, bike and vehicle traffic from commuting students and faculty, areas along Washington Avenue SE, Pleasant Street SE, and Church Street SE can be a bit riskier for cyclists.
What Makes Intersections More Dangerous
Intersections rank among the top spots for crashes to occur, with about 4 out of 5 bike crashes occurring at an intersection and about one–quarter of traffic fatalities in the United States. Because intersections are where roads cross and multiple paths meet, there are more risk factors and chances for crashes to occur. Many intersection bike crashes happen when drivers fail to yield, misjudge distance or forget to check blind spots. Other high-risk areas where bicycle accidents commonly occur include parking lots and driveways where drivers pull out without looking for cyclists and dooring zones.
Let Brazil Sweeney Law Group Fight for You
While Minneapolis is still a wonderful and generally safe city for cyclers, accidents do happen. If you are ever injured in a crash, let the experienced bike accident attorneys at Brazil Sweeney Law Group in Minneapolis help you. We understand the unique issues faced by cyclists and are here to advocate for you and your rights.
Contact us today to speak with one of our experienced bicycle accident lawyers. Case evaluations are always free and there’s no fee unless we win.