Having lived in Portland, Ore., I find it quaint that Redmond thinks it’s bicycle friendly. If it weren’t for the Sammamish River, Lake Sammamish and the Marymoor connector trails, my bike would stay up on its hooks.

Redmond — incorporated and unincorporated — is dangerous for bicyclists. Hell, it’s horrible for walkers and runners, as well. I used to bike every day in Portland to work and back as well as run downtown at lunch (I’ve calculated thousands of miles) and I’ve had more close calls on Education Hill coming off the Powerline Trail than I ever had in downtown Portland. The intersection on Redmond Way near the Safeway crossing toward the Urgent Care is probably the most dangerous intersection for walkers and riders. And don’t get me started on Avondale — it’s like riding a bike while Indy 500 racers zoom past.

Rather than bike the mile or so to any one of a couple trailheads, my family loads the bikes on the car rack and drives the mile to Marymoor. I’m not taking any chances with my family.

Derek Why

Redmond