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Bicycle & Pedestrian Accidents

STUDY: The Most Dangerous Areas For Pedestrians In Oregon

Key Takeaways

  • Using Oregon Department of Transportation data from 2017-2021, the study identified the most dangerous areas in Oregon for pedestrians and bicyclists.
  • A dangerous area was defined as one where at least 12 collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists occurred close to one another.
  • Portland has 17 of the top 30 most dangerous areas in Oregon, while the top three areas are in Salem.
  • Portland ranked as the most dangerous city, with 21 high-risk areas accounting for 2,014 crashes, 92 pedestrian deaths, and 10 bike deaths.
  • Higher speed limits, darker road conditions, impaired driving, and a city designed mainly for vehicles may contribute to Portland’s high accident rate.
In this article
  1. [Interactive Map] – Dangerous Zones for Non-Motorists
  2. The Top 30 Most Dangerous Areas For Pedestrians & Bicyclists In Oregon
  3. Most Dangerous Cities For Pedestrians And Bicyclists In Oregon
  4. Portland
  5. Salem
  6. Gresham
  7. Eugene
  8. Hillsboro
  9. Medford
  10. Beaverton
  11. Corvallis
  12. Springfield
  13. Bend
  14. Albany
  15. Tigard
  16. How To Use This Information
  17. Tips For Pedestrians And Bicyclists In Oregon
  18. Data And Methodology

Oregon residents are among the most physically active in the U.S. and the state is generally viewed as a welcoming place to non-motorists. In fact, Oregon has been named the second most bike-friendly state in the country by the League of American Bicyclists. Portland, the most populous city in Oregon, is ranked among the most walkable and bikeable cities in the United States.

Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

However, despite having pedestrian and bike-friendly streets and policies, the unfortunate reality is that hundreds of pedestrians and cyclists are struck by vehicles every year, causing hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries.

At Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, we are devoted to our clients and have helped people recover millions of dollars in damages for injuries sustained in pedestrian and bicycle accidents in Oregon. In an effort to help prevent these accidents, we partnered with data visualization company, 1Point21 Interactive, to analyze data collected by the Oregon Department of Transportation between 2017-2021, to identify the most dangerous areas for pedestrian and bicyclist accidents throughout the state.

Below, you will find a map that identifies the most dangerous locations for pedestrian and bicyclist accidents throughout Oregon.

[Interactive Map] – Dangerous Zones for Non-Motorists

The map below shows areas where bicyclists and pedestrians are at higher risk of being struck by a motor vehicle. The map is interactive – hover over each zone or crash to reveal more information.

The Top 30 Most Dangerous Areas For Pedestrians & Bicyclists In Oregon

The table below outlines the most dangerous areas for non-motorists in Oregon – defined as areas where at least 12 collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists have occurred within close proximity of one another.

RankCityZone NameCrashesPedestrian InjuriesPedestrian DeathsBike InjuriesBike Deaths
1SalemEast Lancaster — Lancaster Drive NE x Market Street NE33170160
2SalemDowntown — Liberty Street NE x Marion Street NE29212180
3SalemDowntown — Commercial Street NE x State Street24202100
4PortlandDowntown — SW Morrison Street x SW 9th Avenue24200100
5PortlandOld Town — NW 3rd Ave x NW Couch Street2222090
6PortlandEliot — N Vancouver x N Weidler Street2170240
7PortlandBuckman — E Burnside Street x SE Grand Ave20131120
8PortlandEast Portland — SE Morrison Street x SE 6th Ave20150190
9SalemMorningside — Commercial Street1911260
10CorvallisDowntown — NW Van Buren Avenue x NW 4th Street1713070
11PortlandLloyd District — NE Broadway x NE Grand Ave1613190
12GreshamCity Central — NE Division Street x NE Burnside Road15202100
13SalemLansing — Market Street NE x I-51510160
14PortlandKerns — E Burnside Street x NE 14th Ave159090
15PortlandPearl District — NW Park Avenue x NW Glisan Street14190140
16PortlandHazelwood — NW Glisan Street x NE 122nd Ave1417020
17PortlandDowntown — SW Clay Street x SW Broadway1413030
18PortlandGateway — NE Halsey Street x1411070
19EugeneDowntown — High Street x E 13th Ave148090
20SpringfieldSpringfield — Olympic Street x 18th Street148070
21PortlandNob Hill — NW Davis Street x NW 22nd Ave1313150
22PortlandDowntown — SW 3rd Ave x SW Jefferson Street1311070
23PortlandHollywood — NE Sandy Blvd x NE Broadway1311050
24PortlandEliot — N Vancouver x N Graham Street136070
25MedfordMedford — S Riverside Ave x E Barnett Road1340100
26PortlandSouth Tabor — SE Powell Blvd x SE 82nd Ave1213030
27HillsboroDowntown Hillsboro — SE Baseline St x SE 2nd Ave1212020
28SalemEast Lancaster — Lancaster Drive NE x Earle Ave NE129040
29PortlandPearl District — NW Everett x NW 13th Ave128080
T-30SalemWest Salem — Wallace Road NW x Glen Creek Road NW124080
T-30CorvallisDowntown — OSU Campus, NW 12th Street x Monroe Avenue1230110

More than half of the top 31 most dangerous areas for pedestrians and bicyclists in Oregon are located in Portland, while the top three can be found in Salem.

Most Dangerous Cities For Pedestrians And Bicyclists In Oregon

In order to find the top 30 most dangerous areas throughout Oregon, we collected data on the most dangerous areas for pedestrians and bicyclists in cities across the state.

RankCityBike/Pedestrian CrashesPedestrian DeathsPedestrian InjuriesBike DeathsBike Injury
1Portland2,014921,16510813
2Salem507202776220
3Gresham490402882178
4Eugene326131512170
5Hillsboro26191531108
6Medford26071271131
7Beaverton248101450101
8Corvallis2114782129
9Springfield1884830103
10Bend162564294
11Albany114649062
12Tigard81346131

Let’s take a closer look at the top 12 most dangerous cities for pedestrians and bicyclists throughout the state of Oregon.

Portland

Portland is the number one most dangerous city in Oregon for pedestrians and bicyclists. Within the city, we have identified 21 high-risk areas, with a total of:

  • 2,014 crashes
  • 1,165 pedestrian injuries
  • 92 pedestrian deaths
  • 813 bike injuries
  • 10 bike deaths

This may seem odd, especially since Oregon, and Portland in particular, is a very pedestrian and bicyclist-friendly city. The high rate of dangerous accidents in Portland may be attributed to a few factors: higher speed limits, darker road conditions, impaired driving, and a city designed primarily for vehicles rather than pedestrian safety.

Roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or higher tend to see the most accidents, and pedestrians are more likely to be injured by cars going 35 mph than they are by cars driving 25 mph. Additionally, the dark and gloomy road conditions that are common in the Pacific Northwest make it more difficult for drivers to see pedestrians and bicyclists at night. Lastly, impaired drivers are much more likely to not be aware of their surroundings and cause accidents.

According to the US Department of Transportation, Portland adopted a plan called Vision Zero, which is a strategy that aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries while promoting health, safety, and equitable mobility for all. Portland adopted this plan in 2016 and plans to implement several changes by 2025 to dramatically improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

Portland’s Vision Zero plans to improve roadway safety by:

  • redesigning the streets to move both cars and pedestrians safely by narrowing lanes, making bicycle lanes more visible, installing more frequent crossing, and more
  • reducing speed limits and installing speed safety cameras to enforce speed limit
  • increasing the presence of taxi services in downtown areas in an effort to reduce impaired driving
  • and more

Out of the top 30 most dangerous areas in Oregon, 17 areas can be found in Portland. If we take a closer look at the city, the top 21 most dangerous areas for pedestrians and bicyclists in Portland are:

RankCityZone NameCrashesPedestrian InjuriesPedestrian DeathsBike InjuriesBike Deaths
1PortlandDowntown — SW Morrison Street x SW 9th Avenue24200100
2PortlandOld Town — NW 3rd Ave x NW Couch Street2222090
3PortlandEliot — N Vancouver x N Weidler Street2170240
4PortlandBuckman — E Burnside Street x SE Grand Ave20131120
5PortlandEast Portland — SE Morrison Street x SE 6th Ave20150190
6PortlandLloyd District — NE Broadway x NE Grand Ave1613190
7PortlandKerns — E Burnside Street x NE 14th Ave159090
8PortlandPearl District — NW Park Avenue x NW Glisan Street14190140
9PortlandHazelwood — NW Glisan Street x NE 122nd Ave1417020
10PortlandDowntown — SW Clay Street x SW Broadway1413030
11PortlandGateway — NE Halsey Street x1411070
12PortlandNob Hill — NW Davis Street x NW 22nd Ave1313150
13PortlandDowntown — SW 3rd Ave x SW Jefferson Street1311070
14PortlandHollywood — NE Sandy Blvd x NE Broadway1311050
15PortlandEliot — N Vancouver x N Graham Street136070
16PortlandSouth Tabor — SE Powell Blvd x SE 82nd Ave1213030
17PortlandPearl District — NW Everett x NW 13th Ave128080
18PortlandBoise — NE Fremont Street x N Vancouver Ave115090
19PortlandKerns — NE 20th Ave x E Burnside Street105140
20PortlandPowellhurst-Gilbert — SE Powell Blvd x SE 122nd Ave1014000
21PortlandPowellhurst — SE Division Street x SE 122nd Ave1013030

Salem

Salem is the second most dangerous city in Oregon for pedestrians and bicyclists. Factors that may contribute to making Salem roads dangerous include inadequate infrastructure like poorly designed roads, lack of crosswalks, and poor signage, as well as driver inattention and error. Within the city, we have identified nine high-risk areas, with a total of:

  • 507 crashes
  • 277 pedestrian injuries
  • 20 pedestrian deaths
  • 220 bike injuries
  • 6 bike deaths

Out of the top 30 most dangerous areas in Oregon, 7 areas are located in Salem. If we take a closer look at the city, the top nine most dangerous areas for pedestrians and bicyclists in Salem are:

RankCityZone NameCrashesPedestrian InjuriesPedestrian DeathsBike InjuriesBike Deaths
1SalemEast Lancaster — Lancaster Drive NE x Market Street NE33170160
2SalemDowntown — Liberty Street NE x Marion Street NE29212180
3SalemDowntown — Commercial Street NE x State Street24202100
4SalemMorningside — Commercial Street1911260
5SalemLansing — Market Street NE x I-51510160
6SalemEast Lancaster — Lancaster Drive NE x Earle Ave NE129040
7SalemWest Salem — Wallace Road NW x Glen Creek Road NW124080
8SalemDowntown — Center Street NE x 12th Street NE117140
9SalemSouth Gateway — Baxter Road SE x Commercial Street SE88000

Gresham

Gresham is the third most dangerous city in Oregon for pedestrians and bicyclists. Within the city, we have identified 10 high-risk areas, with a total of:

  • 490 crashes
  • 288 pedestrian injuries
  • 40 pedestrian deaths
  • 178 bike injuries
  • 2 bike deaths

Out of the top 30 most dangerous areas in Oregon, 1 of those areas is located in Gresham. If we take a closer look at the city, the top 10 most dangerous areas for pedestrians and bicyclists in Gresham are:

RankCityZone NameCrashesPedestrian InjuriesPedestrian DeathsBike InjuriesBike Deaths
1GreshamCity Central — NE Division Street x NE Burnside Road15202100
2GreshamRockwood — SE 181st Ave x E Burnside Street10142100
3GreshamCentennial — W Powell Blvd x SW Highland Drive916020
4GreshamWilkes East — NE Halsey Street x NE 162nd Ave713200
5GreshamNortheast — SE Stark Street x NE Hogan Drive710060
6GreshamGlenfair — SE 162nd Ave x SE Stark Street611100
7GreshamPowell Valley — SE Powell Valley Road x NE Burnside Road56400
8GreshamRockwood — SE Stark Street x SE 187th Ave56220
9GreshamCentennial — SE Division Street x SE 182nd Ave52260
10GreshamHollybrook — W Powell Blvd510020

Eugene

Eugene is the fourth most dangerous city in Oregon for pedestrians and bicyclists. Within the city, we have identified 5 high-risk areas, with a total of:

  • 326 crashes
  • 151 pedestrian injuries
  • 13 pedestrian deaths
  • 170 bike injuries
  • 2 bike deaths

Out of the top 30 most dangerous areas in Oregon, 1 of those areas is located in Eugene. If we take a closer look at the city, the top 5 most dangerous areas for pedestrians and bicyclists in Eugene are:

RankCityZone NameCrashesPedestrian InjuriesPedestrian DeathsBike InjuriesBike Deaths
1EugeneDowntown — High Street x E 13th Ave148090
2EugeneDowntown — W 10th Ave x Charnelton Street117160
3EugeneDowntown — West 6th Ave x Adams Street116050
4EugeneRiver Road — River Road x River Ave83230
5EugeneEugene — Franklin Blvd x Orchard Street76120

Hillsboro

Hillsboro is the fifth most dangerous city in Oregon for pedestrians and bicyclists. Within the city, we have identified 5 high-risk areas, with a total of:

  • 261 crashes
  • 153 pedestrian injuries
  • 9 pedestrian deaths
  • 108 bike injuries
  • 1 bike deaths

Out of the top 30 most dangerous areas in Oregon, 1 of those areas is located in Hillsboro. If we take a closer look at the city, the top 5 most dangerous areas for pedestrians and bicyclists in Hillsboro are:

RankCityZone NameCrashesPedestrian InjuriesPedestrian DeathsBike InjuriesBike Deaths
1HillsboroDowntown — SE Baseline x SE 2nd Ave1212020
2HillsboroDowntown — SE Walnut Street x SE 10th Ave911121
3HillsboroReedville — SE Tualatin Valley Highway x SE Century Blvd72250
4HillsboroDowntown — SE 12th Ave x SE Baseline Street66000
5HillsboroWitch Hazel — SE Tualatin Valley Highway x SE Brookwood Ave63030

Medford

Medford is the sixth most dangerous city in Oregon for pedestrians and bicyclists. Within the city, we have identified 6 high-risk areas, with a total of:

  • 260 crashes
  • 127 pedestrian injuries
  • 7 pedestrian deaths
  • 131 bike injuries
  • 1 bike deaths

Out of the top 30 most dangerous areas in Oregon, 1 of those areas is located in Medford. If we take a closer look at the city, the top 6 most dangerous areas for pedestrians and bicyclists in Medford are:

RankCityZone NameCrashesPedestrian InjuriesPedestrian DeathsBike InjuriesBike Deaths
1MedfordMedford — S Riverside Ave x E Barnett Road1340100
2MedfordDowntown — East 8th Street x Pacific Highway99070
3MedfordDowntown — E Jackson x N Riverside Ave83150
4MedfordMedford — Crater Lake Ave x Stevens Street64040
5MedfordNorth Medford — Biddle Road x E McAndrews Road53020
6MedfordMedford — S Pacific Highway x Lowry Lane52030

Beaverton

Beaverton is the seventh most dangerous city in Oregon for pedestrians and bicyclists. Within the city, we have identified 5 high-risk areas, with a total of:

  • 248 crashes
  • 145 pedestrian injuries
  • 10 pedestrian deaths
  • 101 bike injuries
  • 0 bike deaths

Out of the top 30 most dangerous areas in Oregon, none are located in Beaverton. However, if we take a closer look at the city, the top 5 most dangerous areas for pedestrians and bicyclists in Beaverton are:

RankCityZone NameCrashesPedestrian InjuriesPedestrian DeathsBike InjuriesBike Deaths
1BeavertonDowntown — SW Beaverton Hillsdale Highway x Beaverton Tigard Freeway94140
2BeavertonDowntown — SW Washington Ave x SW Farmington Road68010
3BeavertonDowntown — SW Canyon Road x SW 115th Ave65010
4BeavertonGray Oak — SW 170th Ave x SW Baseline Road56010
5BeavertonHighland — SW Murray Blvd x SW Allen Blvd52060

Corvallis

Corvallis is the eighth most dangerous city in Oregon for pedestrians and bicyclists. Within the city, we have identified 5 high-risk areas, with a total of:

  • 211 crashes
  • 78 pedestrian injuries
  • 4 pedestrian deaths
  • 129 bike injuries
  • 2 bike deaths

Out of the top 30 most dangerous areas in Oregon, 2 of the areas are located in Corvallis. However, if we take a closer look at the city, the top 5 most dangerous areas for pedestrians and bicyclists in Corvallis are:

RankCityZone NameCrashesPedestrian InjuriesPedestrian DeathsBike InjuriesBike Deaths
1CorvallisDowntown — NW Van Buren Avenue x NW 4th Street1713070
2CorvallisDowntown — Monroe Ave x NW 12th Street1230110
3CorvallisDowntown — SW 4th Street x SW Washington Ave94140
4CorvallisCorvallis — NW Circle Blvd x NW 9th Street93150
5CorvallisDowntown — NW Van Buren Avenue x NW 9th Street83060

Springfield

Springfield is the ninth most dangerous city in Oregon for pedestrians and bicyclists. Within the city, we have identified 5 high-risk areas, with a total of:

  • 188 crashes
  • 83 pedestrian injuries
  • 4 pedestrian deaths
  • 103 bike injuries
  • 0 bike deaths

Out of the top 30 most dangerous areas in Oregon, 1 area is located in Springfield. However, if we take a closer look at the city, the top 5 most dangerous areas for pedestrians and bicyclists in Springfield are:

RankCityZone NameCrashesPedestrian InjuriesPedestrian DeathsBike InjuriesBike Deaths
1SpringfieldSpringfield — Olympic Street x 18th Street148070
2SpringfieldDowntown — Main Street x S 5th Street95090
3SpringfieldNorth Springfield — Gateway Street x Kruse Way74030
4SpringfieldThurston — Main Street x S 58th Street63030
5SpringfieldSpringfield — Main Street x N 54th Street52120

Bend

Bend is the tenth most dangerous city in Oregon for pedestrians and bicyclists. Within the city, we have identified 6 high-risk areas, with a total of:

  • 162 crashes
  • 64 pedestrian injuries
  • 5 pedestrian deaths
  • 94 bike injuries
  • 2 bike deaths

Out of the top 30 most dangerous areas in Oregon, none are located in Bend. However, if we take a closer look at the city, the top 6 most dangerous areas for pedestrians and bicyclists in Bend are:

RankCityZone NameCrashesPedestrian InjuriesPedestrian DeathsBike InjuriesBike Deaths
1BendDowntown — NE Franklin Ave x NE 3rd Street105050
2BendDowntown — NE 3rd Street x NE Greenwood Ave73050
3BendBend — NE 3rd Street x NW Mervin Sampels Road43100
4BendDowntown — NW Wall Street x NW Oregon Ave43030
5BendDowntown — NW Greenwood Ave x NW Kearney Ave42020
6BendDowntown — NE Greenwood Ave x NE 9th Street41050

Albany

Albany is the eleventh most dangerous city in Oregon for pedestrians and bicyclists. Within the city, we have identified 5 high-risk areas, with a total of:

  • 114 crashes
  • 49 pedestrian injuries
  • 6 pedestrian deaths
  • 62 bike injuries
  • 0 bike deaths

Out of the top 30 most dangerous areas in Oregon, none are located in Albany. However, if we take a closer look at the city, the top 5 most dangerous areas for pedestrians and bicyclists in Albany are:

RankCityZone NameCrashesPedestrian InjuriesPedestrian DeathsBike InjuriesBike Deaths
1AlbanyAlbany — Geary Street SE x Pacific Blvd SE104070
2AlbanyAlbany — Waverly Drive SE x Santiam Highway SE71170
3AlbanyAlbany — Sherman Street SE x 9th Ave SE64110
4AlbanyDowntown — Albany-Corvallis Highway x 2nd Ave SW55020
5AlbanyAlbany — Pacific Blvd SE x Airport Road SE55020

Tigard

Tigard is the twelfth most dangerous city in Oregon for pedestrians and bicyclists. Within the city, we have identified 5 high-risk areas, with a total of:

  • 81 crashes
  • 46 pedestrian injuries
  • 3 pedestrian deaths
  • 31 bike injuries
  • 1 bike deaths

Out of the top 30 most dangerous areas in Oregon, none are located in Tigard. However, if we take a closer look at the city, the top 5 most dangerous areas for pedestrians and bicyclists in Tigard are:

RankCityZone NameCrashesPedestrian InjuriesPedestrian DeathsBike InjuriesBike Deaths
1TigardTigard Triangle — SW Pacific Highway x SW 72nd Ave53020
2TigardTigard Triangle — SW Pacific Highway x SW 68th Parkway53020
3TigardDerry Dell — SW Pacific Highway x SW Frewing Street41120
4TigardKing City — SW Royalty Parkway x SW Pacific Highway34000
T-5TigardWest Portland Park — SW Capitol Highway x SW Huber Street32010
T-5TigardBull Mountian — SW Gaarde Street x SW 112th Ave31020
“At Paulson Coletti, ‘liberty and justice for all’ is more than just a phrase – it is our mandate. Our team of trial lawyers is driven to pursue justice for the injured, ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable. Whether your case settles or goes to trial, you can trust our Oregon personal injury lawyers to be the legal advocates you need so your voice can be heard.”
Jane PaulsonPartner

How To Use This Information

Pedestrian and bicyclist safety is important, especially in a state that prides itself on being one of the most pedestrian-friendly in the United States. With a high population of both pedestrian and bicyclist commuters, there are many lives at risk, making it crucial to prioritize safety. At Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, we are committed to equipping Oregon residents with the knowledge they need to keep themselves safe, whether on foot or on a bicycle.

If you live in or near an area that is dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists, it is essential to stay vigilant and walk or ride defensively to keep yourself safe. Drivers who reside near these dangerous hot spots can also use this information to exercise more caution when on the roads, keeping an eye out for pedestrians and bicyclists, driving slower, and driving sober.

“Most cases settle, but each of our cases is prepared as if it’s going to trial. The insurance companies know it and so do the defense lawyers defending them. That’s why we get such great results for our clients.”
John Coletti​Partner

Tips For Pedestrians And Bicyclists In Oregon

When walking near traffic, it is important to stay safe, these safety tips can help pedestrians increase their chances of traveling safely:

  1. Stay Alert: Be aware of your surroundings and avoid distractions like texting or talking on the phone when walking near traffic.
  2. Use Crosswalk Signals: Obey crosswalk signals and green lights at intersections, only cross when it is your turn.
  3. Look Both Ways: Even when you have the right of way, be sure to look left, right, and left again before crossing the road for any unexpected dangers.
  4. Walk Defensively: It is best to assume that not all drivers see you. Make eye contact when possible to ensure drivers acknowledge your presence before crossing.

When biking in or around traffic, your safety is important. These tips can help you to stay safe while riding near the roads:

  1. Obey Traffic Laws: Follow the same rules of the road as cars and other vehicles. This includes stopping at stop signs and obeying other traffic signals.
  2. Ride In The Same Direction As Traffic: Always ride in the same direction as traffic, and stay on the right side of the road. Never ride against oncoming traffic.
  3. Stay Visible: Use lights, reflectors, and bright clothing, especially when riding at dawn or dusk, or other low visibility conditions, to make your presence known to drivers.
  4. Use Hand Signals And Be Predictable: Help drivers predict your next moves by signaling your intentions using hand signals to indicate turns and stops. Additionally, ride in a straight line and avoid making sudden movements or swerving.

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Data And Methodology

The data used to determine the most dangerous areas for pedestrians and bicyclists was derived from the Oregon Department of Transportation. We looked at the data on pedestrian and bicyclist crashes between the years of 2017-2021. If you would like to use any of the tables, graphics, or data included in this study, please link to this page to provide credit.

This page has been written, edited, and fact-checked by our team of legal writers in accordance with our editorial guidelines. It has been approved by partners Jane Paulson and John Coletti — respected trial attorneys with decades of experience representing personal injury victims.