Indy’s Most Dangerous Bike Trail Intersections: Number One

When a well-known local cycliest was struck and killed near the Monon Trail (October, 2021), members of the Indy bicycle community called upon the city to make changes that might make cycling in the city safer. To our uncertain knowledge, there has in fact been such a change. By “such a change,” we mean just the one: traffic engineers reprogrammed the pedestrian crossing lights at the Monon trail / 86th Street intersection where Frank Radaker was killed; allowing trail users a 10-second window when no motor vehicles have a green light. Now, if engineers could just reprogram those drivers who routinely ignore the “no turn on red” signs…

Although decidedly dangerous, in our opinion the intersection where Frank perished is not the most dangerous bike crossing in Indy, not even the most dangerous intersection of a trail and a street. Without further ado, here is our nomination for the most dangerous bike trail / street crossing in Marion County…

Number 1: White River Trail at 16th Street

This is by far the worst crossing on what is arguably the worst multiuse trail in the city. The entire length of the White River-Wapahani Trail surface is rough, rutted, and narrow; which may well be why whenever we ride the northern portion of this trail (which isn’t often) we almost never see anyone else out there on two wheels. The trail is definitely old, which is still no excuse for how poorly it's being maintained.

The crossing at 16th Street is, to be honest, tantamount to a death trap. We cannot see anyone taking a family outing across this intersection. Street traffic approaching from the west comes upon the trail at the apex of a curve; trail users approaching from the north come upon the street from behind a grove of unkempt trees. Drivers routinely cross the intersection in both directions at well above the posted 35-MPH speed limit. While there is an island between the east- and west-bound traffic lanes, it is small (and trash-covered).

Trail users coming from the south have clear sightlines to the east and west; those coming from the north are forced to navigate a sharp jog before making a hard left down a narrow curb cut to the street. As is often the case with such crossings, cyclists cannot make a complete turn before coming to a stop, forcing them to look over a shoulder for traffic approaching from the east instead of merely turning the head to the left.

Making matters worse, virtually no driver ever stops or even slows for trail users at this intersection. This, in combination with the dangerous crossing, forces many trail users onto surface streets. We typically use Waterway, Harding, and 18th Streets to complete the crossing of 16th more safely.

Grade: F [Engineering: F, Traffic: F]

Dishonorable Mention: White River-Wapahani Trail along 10th Street. Where IS the trail: in the parking lot? on the sidewalk?

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