The 5 Worst Streets in Seattle

Want to know which streets are most likely to produce a negative emotional response among Seattle transportation safety advocates? Read on.

1 minute read

June 13, 2021, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


City Kids

Pike Place at Pike Place Market is described by Charles Mudede as "Ground Zero for the War on Cars" | SvetlanaSF / Shutterstock

Charles Mudede produces an emotional cartography of the worst streets in Seattle,

Mudede explains how Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) technology, which combines cellphone and lie detector technologies to track social-emotional responses to the city, revolutionized the practice of psychogeography. Mudede credits artist, designer, and psychogeographer Christian Nold with the use of GSR o produce social-emotional maps of cities.

The article, however, relies on expert opinion, rather than GSR, to call out the five streets in Seattle that sharply increase negative feelings.

Topping Mudede's list is Rainier Avenue, which Seattle Greenways cited as the worst street in the city, "hands down." The head of the Transit Riders Union, local reporter Ryan Packer, and even the Seattle Department of Transportation's Twitter feed are called in corroborate that assessment.

Also included on the list are Pike Place at Pike Place Market (!!), 15th Ave NW, Denny Way, and Martin Luther King Jr Way.

Monday, June 7, 2021 in The Stanger

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 23, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18, 2026 - Inside Climate News

People walk through Philadelphia International Airport. There is a convince store on the right.

Philadelphia to invest $2 billion into upgrading city airports as PHL places last in customer satisfaction

Modernizations to Philadelphia's airports will include baggage system upgrades and a new automated parking garage guidance system.

September 23 - WHYY

A downtown area in Los Angeles, with a Taco Bell visible. People wait to cross the street towards a tall apartment building.

The LA housing policies making developers turn away from the city

Despite LA’s housing shortage, developers say the city’s "mansion-tax" and pandemic-era policies make it an unappealing place to build housing.

September 23 - Los Angeles Times

People cross a wide street in San Francisco, with tall buildings in the background.

New density bill would require 7 California cities to establish regional transit hubs

The bill would also require major cities in California to permit high-rise residential buildings.

September 23 - Smart Cities Dive