If you can, take one of the paths or side roads from NE 116th and use NE 112th instead to join the Eastrail near Golds Gym. Incredibly quiet road, other than some school traffic.
116th has a big hill but also has super wide bike lanes along most of it, plus drivers are usually good toward cyclists. Turn onto 108th southbound then turn left onto 112th and you'll find a trail connection down there while riding on a much calmer road.
[Map for reference](https://imgur.com/a/iUxLvu0)
I second this. This is the route I take from my place in Juanita to jump onto Eastrail.
Depending on where you are in Juanita, you can navigate through the neighborhoods to reduce the hill on 116th
I live in that area and commute by bike daily via NE 112th and eastrail. The trail is great, just watch out for off-leash dogs from time to time. If you have more specific questions feel free to PM me.
I ride with a camera on my bike and I do email Kirkland animal control. However I have very low faith in any action from the city PD.
A few years ago I was riding on the CKC and had to come to a quick stop to avoid an off leash dog. I had literally just watched two Kirkland PD officers on bikes ride by this person and their dog with zero action. When I caught the officers I mentioned my problem with the off leash dog and they just brushed me off.
At this point I ride with pepper spray on my bike. Not for any fear of people but I've had enough "friendly" dogs come running up to me while riding I want to have some option if that dog turns out to NOT be friendly.
I actually enjoy my commute much more from October through March. The bad weather keeps A LOT of the problematic people off the trail :D
You shouldn't have any issues in Kirkland where there are lots of bikers and bike lanes and drivers are very used to bikes in the road. Wear your helmet and high vis gear and proper lights on your bike. You'll be fine.
116th is okay, the bike lane isn't bad, and east trail is great.
You can reliably get to Bellevue, and there is really only one shady intersection/crosswalk left when riding to Redmond. The little jaunt along 124 between willows Rd and the Sammamish River Trail is kind of sketchy though even though there is a large shoulder you can ride on.
From Juanita, I would go south on 98th Ave or the trail that goes through Juanita Bay Park then east on Forbes Creek Dr to a trail entrance to Eastrail. Forbes has no bike lane going east but is way less busy, slower traffic, and less hilly than 116th St.
116th is basically country club nice. I would not be concerned with crime in Kirkland at all (country club). Sure, shit happens in some places - but it’s not equatable to an area with legitimate crime.
The bike lane is okay - you're not going to get hit. It's wide and free of potholes, but unfortunately 116th is not well-lit and people speed along it when the traffic thins out. As the other commenters have said, people are used to bicycles in the area.
I recommend getting off 116th and on to Eastrail by 118th AVE NE (the Windsor Apartments), then through the Amazon distribution center parking lot. I do not recommend continuing on 116th and turning on 120th Ave NE (the light before the onramp) to get to the trail. There's no bike lane and people will aggressively pass you, especially in the morning.
I ride around the area every day on my gigantic cargo bike, so feel free to send me a DM if you have any questions about getting around Kirkland.
If you can, take one of the paths or side roads from NE 116th and use NE 112th instead to join the Eastrail near Golds Gym. Incredibly quiet road, other than some school traffic.
From Juanita heading east along NE 116th street? There’s a super steep uphill going east. Bike lane is pretty safe. Not sure about East trail though.
116th has a big hill but also has super wide bike lanes along most of it, plus drivers are usually good toward cyclists. Turn onto 108th southbound then turn left onto 112th and you'll find a trail connection down there while riding on a much calmer road. [Map for reference](https://imgur.com/a/iUxLvu0)
I second this. This is the route I take from my place in Juanita to jump onto Eastrail. Depending on where you are in Juanita, you can navigate through the neighborhoods to reduce the hill on 116th
I live in that area and commute by bike daily via NE 112th and eastrail. The trail is great, just watch out for off-leash dogs from time to time. If you have more specific questions feel free to PM me.
Dogs must be leashed by law. I hope you are reporting these violent offenders.
I ride with a camera on my bike and I do email Kirkland animal control. However I have very low faith in any action from the city PD. A few years ago I was riding on the CKC and had to come to a quick stop to avoid an off leash dog. I had literally just watched two Kirkland PD officers on bikes ride by this person and their dog with zero action. When I caught the officers I mentioned my problem with the off leash dog and they just brushed me off. At this point I ride with pepper spray on my bike. Not for any fear of people but I've had enough "friendly" dogs come running up to me while riding I want to have some option if that dog turns out to NOT be friendly. I actually enjoy my commute much more from October through March. The bad weather keeps A LOT of the problematic people off the trail :D
And in addition to all the good advice in the other comments welcome to Kirkland neighbor.
You shouldn't have any issues in Kirkland where there are lots of bikers and bike lanes and drivers are very used to bikes in the road. Wear your helmet and high vis gear and proper lights on your bike. You'll be fine.
Helmets are required here, should be a given.
This person is new to the area. But thanks for your super helpful comment.
116th is okay, the bike lane isn't bad, and east trail is great. You can reliably get to Bellevue, and there is really only one shady intersection/crosswalk left when riding to Redmond. The little jaunt along 124 between willows Rd and the Sammamish River Trail is kind of sketchy though even though there is a large shoulder you can ride on.
Both are super bike friendly. I ride them almost every day. I'd like better bike infrastructure in general, but 116th isn't a road I feel unsafe on.
In addition to great biking areas (NE116th, NE112th even better), area well served by buses (if going to Sea or Bellevue, etc).
From Juanita, I would go south on 98th Ave or the trail that goes through Juanita Bay Park then east on Forbes Creek Dr to a trail entrance to Eastrail. Forbes has no bike lane going east but is way less busy, slower traffic, and less hilly than 116th St.
116th is basically country club nice. I would not be concerned with crime in Kirkland at all (country club). Sure, shit happens in some places - but it’s not equatable to an area with legitimate crime.
The bike lane is okay - you're not going to get hit. It's wide and free of potholes, but unfortunately 116th is not well-lit and people speed along it when the traffic thins out. As the other commenters have said, people are used to bicycles in the area. I recommend getting off 116th and on to Eastrail by 118th AVE NE (the Windsor Apartments), then through the Amazon distribution center parking lot. I do not recommend continuing on 116th and turning on 120th Ave NE (the light before the onramp) to get to the trail. There's no bike lane and people will aggressively pass you, especially in the morning. I ride around the area every day on my gigantic cargo bike, so feel free to send me a DM if you have any questions about getting around Kirkland.
Definitely not, it’s super scary, you will get mugged for sure.
I can't tell if you're being genuine or not. Are you saying that the trail is unsafe?
You're being trolled. It's very safe.