PETITION TO THE ISSAQUAH CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR

Subject: Urgent Action Needed to Address Dangerous Bicycle Riding and Improve Public Safety in Issaquah

To: The Mayor of Issaquah, Issaquah City Council, and Issaquah Police Department

We, the undersigned residents, parents, business owners, and community members of Issaquah, are calling on city leadership to take immediate and meaningful action to address dangerous bicycle riding on our public roads and sidewalks.

Over the past several months, residents have repeatedly witnessed groups of young cyclists engaging in reckless behavior, including performing wheelies in active traffic lanes, riding unpredictably around moving vehicles, disregarding traffic rules, and traveling at unsafe speeds on sidewalks shared with pedestrians.

Areas of particular concern include Front Street, Gilman Boulevard, Highlands Drive, and roads throughout Olde Town Issaquah. These are busy transportation corridors used by public transit buses, school buses, motorists, pedestrians, families, seniors, and children. The presence of large buses makes unpredictable bicycle maneuvers especially dangerous, as bus drivers have limited maneuverability and require greater stopping distances.

Some residents have described near-collisions involving vehicles, including a particularly concerning incident in which young cyclists reportedly came dangerously close to being struck by a bus.

We recognize that children and teenagers should have opportunities to ride bicycles, enjoy outdoor activities, and spend time with friends. However, the freedom to ride must come with the responsibility to respect traffic laws and the safety of others.

Our Concerns

1. Immediate danger to cyclists, motorists, and bus passengers

Performing stunts in active traffic, obstructing vehicles, and riding unpredictably create serious risks of collisions, injuries, and fatalities. Sudden braking or evasive maneuvers by buses can also endanger passengers on board.

2. Safety of pedestrians

High-speed bicycle riding and stunts on crowded sidewalks put pedestrians at risk, particularly young children, seniors, and individuals with limited mobility.

3. Repeated incidents despite police involvement

Community members report that police have spoken with some of these young cyclists on multiple occasions, yet dangerous behavior reportedly continues. Residents have also raised concerns about inconsistent enforcement.

These concerns deserve review, along with an assessment of whether current interventions are effective.

4. Community attitudes that minimize dangerous behavior

We are also concerned that some community members openly defend or dismiss this behavior as simply “kids being kids.”

While we respect different parenting philosophies and recognize the importance of allowing children independence, there is a fundamental difference between normal childhood activities and behavior that endangers lives.

Public safety should not be treated as a matter of personal opinion. No child, driver, pedestrian, or bus passenger should be exposed to unnecessary danger because reckless behavior is considered acceptable by some members of the community.

Supporting children should include teaching them responsibility, respect for others, and an understanding of the consequences of their actions.

5. Lack of meaningful accountability

Warnings alone may not be sufficient when dangerous behavior repeatedly places the public at risk. Parents and guardians should be appropriately involved in addressing repeated violations involving minors.

We Request That the City of Issaquah:

Increase proactive enforcement of applicable bicycle and traffic safety laws, particularly along Front Street, Gilman Boulevard, Highlands Drive, and throughout Olde Town Issaquah.
Review police response procedures to ensure that dangerous riding is addressed consistently, fairly, and effectively.
Establish a clear response to repeat violations, including documented warnings, parental or guardian notification when appropriate, and legally authorized consequences for continued unsafe behavior.
Coordinate with local schools, families, and community organizations to educate young cyclists about traffic laws, pedestrian safety, and the potentially devastating consequences of reckless riding.
Create an accessible reporting process for residents to submit incident descriptions and video evidence directly to law enforcement without publicly identifying minors.
Coordinate with local transit agencies and school transportation providers to identify locations where dangerous bicycle riding poses particular risks to buses, passengers, and other road users.
Evaluate additional preventive measures in high-risk areas, including targeted patrols, safety signage, and other appropriate traffic safety improvements.
Provide a written public response within 30 days outlining the city’s proposed actions, responsible departments, and anticipated timeline for implementation.
Our Goal Is Prevention, Not Punishment

This petition is not intended to target children or discourage cycling in our community.

We want young people to enjoy their childhoods, but we also want them to return home safely. We want drivers to travel without fear of accidentally injuring a child, bus passengers to travel safely, and pedestrians to use sidewalks without worrying about being struck by a bicycle.

Issaquah prides itself on being a family-friendly, safe, and welcoming community. Maintaining that environment requires shared responsibility from city leadership, law enforcement, parents, and residents.

We should not have to wait for a serious injury or a preventable tragedy before taking action.

We respectfully urge the Mayor, City Council, and Issaquah Police Department to address these concerns proactively and work together toward a practical, consistent, and lasting solution.

By signing this petition, we ask the City of Issaquah to prioritize this public safety issue and take measurable steps to protect all road and sidewalk users.

Concerned Residents and Community Members of Issaquah, Washington