Even for the most experienced Bay Area cyclist, a busy intersection can be an intimidating and sometimes dangerous place. Approximately 27% of cyclist fatalities happen at intersections, according to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA).
Distracted drivers, bad road design, and congestion can all contribute to the factors that lead to these fatalities and even more injuries. This means that being prepared, knowing the route, and understanding which intersections along your commute may pose a risk are all crucial parts of cycling.
Luckily, data from the NHTSA shows that San Francisco has some of the lowest rates of bicycle fatalities per capita in the country. Deaths counted from 2017 through 2021 were down 58% from the 2012-2016 average, according to federal numbers.
Still, local cyclists should know where the trouble spots are. Data compiled by local, state, and federal agencies and analyzed by a variety of groups point to these intersections in particular as being the ones that are most dangerous. While many of these numbers involve only vehicle statistics, they also serve as a warning for Bay Area cyclists. Remember, as traffic infrastructure and resources evolve and change, these intersections may change and others may become more dangerous. Always approach every intersection cautiously and follow traffic laws.
Watch these five intersections
Gough Street and Market Street
There’s a lot going on at the intersection of Gough Street and Market Street in San Francisco near Civic Center, making it SFMATA’s top spot from 2017-2022 for injury crashes: There are several lanes of traffic going different directions, including diagonal, BART tracks, bike lanes, and a busy business corridor.
Data shows during that time period there were 48 crashes with 70 people injured – the most across the city. In 2023, the city committed to making changes at these high-injury intersections. At Gough and Market, there was a commitment to improve signal timing and hardware. Road users should still be cautious when traveling through this intersection, which regularly sees cyclists, pedestrians, and cars.
Market Street and Octavia Street
Just down Market street from Gough is Octavia Street, which has also been cited as a problem intersection. In 2023, this was named one of the most dangerous intersections by the San Francisco Police Department. There were 16 collisions with 19 victims in the year leading up to the April 2023 report. The department didn’t note any additional data about those victims, so it’s unclear if they were mostly drivers, vehicle occupants, or other road users. Like Gough and Market, this intersection is busy and complex.
102nd Avenue and International Boulevard
Oakland’s International Boulevard has become a hotspot for traffic accidents and deaths. In March, a local report called it one of the Bay Area’s deadliest roads. From 2002 to 2022, there were 57 traffic-related fatalities. Locals say high speeds paired with lax enforcement are part of the reason why.
At the 102 Avenue intersection, there’s a mix of high-density residential and business, so it’s no wonder that there’s a lot of traffic. Oakland officials have recognized this spot as troublesome and in 2020 added a concrete median to aid pedestrians in the area. Locals told one reporter that’s done little to stop high speeds. From 2017 to 2023 there were a reported 17 injuries, but advocates note that not all cycling crashes or injuries are always reported to authorities.
8th Street and Mission Street
Another busy Civic Center intersection, 8th Street and Mission Street saw 35 crashes and 37 people injured from 2017-2022. This has been another high-priority spot for SFMTA, which expressed a commitment to enhancing cycling infrastructure and in 2019 began working on improvements along the corridor.
13th Street, Duboce Avenue, U.S. 101, Mission Street and Otis Street
In 2023, this intersection, which runs under the freeway, was deemed the second most dangerous intersection in all of San Francisco.
“Drivers cutting through might easily forget this is also a neighborhood, with restaurants, shopping, a food truck lot, a skate park, a dog park, and a living alley. Many people call the street home, including those who reside in the Division Circle Navigation Center and in encampments that line the thoroughfare,” the Frisc reported in 2023.
Travelers through this intersection should note its complexity and be watchful of cars and fellow cyclists and pedestrians.
Navigating intersections safely
Many intersection accidents can be attributed to left turns. “Left hook” accidents happen when a vehicle turning left crosses the path of a cyclist, much like they would another car traveling through an intersection. When speed is involved, these accidents can be especially dangerous. They can result in traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, psychological damage, and more.
Other accidents can happen at intersections when a car plows into a cyclist from behind as they are approaching a stop sign or light.
In California, if a driver is found to be at fault for the accident, they can be held liable – but in these cases at intersections it can become complex, especially when determining who had the right of way. It depends on how both the motorist and bicyclist acted or failed to act. If the bicyclist was using due care and caution and was following all rules of the road, 100 percent liability for the accident might be attributed to the motorist. Sometimes though, a percentage of the fault for the accident might be attributable to the bicyclist.
This is when an expert from Bay Area Bicycle Law can step in and help navigate the path forward. The staff at Bay Area Bicycle Law are solely dedicated to representing cyclists and help clients obtain significantly more compensation for injuries than they would working without an experienced bicycle accident lawyer.
If you’ve been injured in an accident at an intersection anywhere in the Bay Area, get a free consultation by calling (415) 466-8717 or reaching out today.