Attacks on cyclists on Lake Street

Picked up on OPCC listserv per Bill W; presumably posted today.

I don't know why Active Trans didn't put a warning out about the previous incident mentioned here.

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Authored by Tom McGee and posted on the Oak Park Cycle Club facebook page.  :
Tom McGee
LAKE STREET WARNING: With the warm weather, and newly added bike lanes on Lake Street, there have been more bike commuters heading into the city...unfortunately, there are some rough neighborhoods people need to cycle through and area street punks see the increase in riders as well.

On my way home from the city to Oak Park last night I was jumped by 2 male teens in an attempt to steal my bike. This occured at Lake & Lavergne. One guy was on the sidewalk, the other hidden behind an L pillar. As I was approaching, I sensed it was bad, but it was too late to react. They came at me from the left and right and pushed me off the bike. I was clipped in and went head first over the handlebars, landing on the right side of my face and shoulder. They did not go for anything but the bike, so when I realized that, I wrestled with them and kept my bike. A motorist stopped to help me, and seeing this they ran.

A number of good samaritans stopped to help me, called 911, and paramedics were on the scene within 10 minutes to get me to the ER. I'm stitched and bumped and bruised, but it could have been a lot worse.

I strongly suggest that riders get the word out to friends who commute, try to ride w/others (there are a number of group rides to/from the loop from what I've heard), and try not to ride too early or too late when other people may not be around to help. 

I've already spoken with John Lankford, Bikeways Campaign Coordinator w/Active Transporation Alliance. He said there was a similar incident on Lake the morning of Bike The Drive. So they are aware of the problem, and will be approaching people @ CDOT and the city to try and address it.

Ride safe,
Tom McGee
 

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on June 29, 2012 at 4:30am

Tom left this as a comment on Grid Chicago the other night. I forgot to do something about it but I thought people should know about this "tactic".

It reminds me of the velociraptors in "Jurassic Park". One is a decoy, while the other one, hidden, comes in from the side.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 29, 2012 at 4:37am

I feel the same about Washington - more regular people out and about, fewer places to hide, better lit, more open.

Andy Moss said:

Good to know.  I hope Tom is OK.  

I personally have come around to the protected bike lane, but the stretch from Garfield Park to Oak Park is worrisome.  I have been heading south to Washington at the end of the bike lane.  I know a lot of people think Washington is just as bad, but there are more motorists to see you and fewer places to hide.  It's also better lit at night.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 29, 2012 at 4:38am

Great analogy.

Steven Vance said:

It reminds me of the velociraptors in "Jurassic Park". One is a decoy, while the other one, hidden, comes in from the side.

Permalink Reply by globalguy on June 29, 2012 at 4:48am

I agree with the Washington assessment, especially the further east you go of Cicero. However, if you can go a bit north coming out of or going to OP, Grand and Armitage (via Austin from the west) are great - never had a problem and lots of passersby ... the bigger issue here, I believe, is when all of us are going to wake up to the nearly 40% rise in crime in Chicago especially along the CTA corridors.



Anne Alt said:

I feel the same about Washington - more regular people out and about, fewer places to hide, better lit, more open.

Andy Moss said:

Good to know.  I hope Tom is OK.  

I personally have come around to the protected bike lane, but the stretch from Garfield Park to Oak Park is worrisome.  I have been heading south to Washington at the end of the bike lane.  I know a lot of people think Washington is just as bad, but there are more motorists to see you and fewer places to hide.  It's also better lit at night.

Permalink Reply by Michael on June 29, 2012 at 5:44am

I've been taking Harrison for a few years, and it has been good.  If you want to take Washington, you can hhead south at Laramie to Jackson as an alternative to the stretch between Laramie and Austin.

Permalink Reply by Michael on June 29, 2012 at 6:19am

I cross at Kostner.  Take a left onto Flournoy just over the bridge. Left on Kildare.  Right to get back on Harrison.

Andy Moss said:

All the way?  Where do you cross the 290?


Michael said:

I've been taking Harrison for a few years, and it has been good.  If you want to take Washington, you can hhead south at Laramie to Jackson as an alternative to the stretch between Laramie and Austin.

Permalink Reply by globalguy on June 29, 2012 at 7:02am

I wonder if it is a problem that mostly OPies are affected in Chicago wards so the incidents don't get reported to the relevant, local authorities ...

h' said:

Typically they would communicate with the Alderman's office and the district police commander to see about setting up a "special attention." Or attempt to, at least-- whether there's follow-through on the part of the ald/police is a coin-toss, at best.

Serge Lubomudrov said:

The question is, Address it how?

So they [the Active Trans] are aware of the problem, and will be approaching people @ CDOT and the city to try and address it.

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