After the untimely, senseless death of BGI mechanic Frank Radaker on the Monon Trail (October, 2021), some of the Indy bicycle community lobbied the city for changes that would make cycling in the city safer. To our uncertain knowledge, there has been a change. By “a change,” we mean just one: traffic engineers reprogrammed the pedestrian crossing lights at the Monon trail / 86th Street intersection where Radaker was killed; giving 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 was killed 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 are our nominations for the bottom six street crossings in Marion County…
Number 6: Pennsy Trail at German Church Road
The Pennsy Trail, which follows an abandoned rail line just south of Washington Street/US 40 from Ellenberger Park to Greenfield (well, sort of) can be a joy to ride: it’s smooth, shaded, and nowhere near as crowded as the Monon Trail. Perhaps because it’s newer, though, motorists crossing the trail seem to be less… forgiving? aware? friendly? than the average motorist up north in Hamilton County – not that there aren’t a few haters in Carmel and Fishers.
The seeming indifference of drivers tends to make this particular crossing trickier than any other along the Pennsy. For westbound cyclists, the trail runs alongside an access road leading to a Meijer east of the intersection on Washington. Trying to cross at the intersection requires that trail users navigate crossing German Church, which carries heavy traffic, and dodge Meijer shoppers who are attempting to turn left onto southbound German Church. It’s made tougher by the motorists, who routinely ignore the caution lights provided for trail users, speeding through the intersection well in excess of the posted 40-MPH speed limit.
It doesn’t help that the Pennsy Trail jogs slightly southward on its western approach suggesting a diagonal crossing, although there is actually a paved apron and crossing signal button on the west side.
Grade: C- [engineering: C, traffic: D]
Dishonorable mention: Pennsy Trail at Post Road and Mitthoeffer Road – clear sight lines, unfriendly drivers.
Number five =>
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