Bicyclist killed at Oak & Wells Friday AM

Any updates:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-bicyclist-str...

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Permalink Reply by ciarliera on October 5, 2012 at 1:36pm

thanks, great find. I'd love to see the data on accidents pre-protected bike lanes and post.

KatieP said:

I think this is how we identify where to begin education efforts http://www.wbez.org/news/map-where-are-chicagos-bike-dooring-accide....
Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on October 5, 2012 at 1:38pm

I have one other comment on the general topic of defensive cycling.  In my experience, and it appears many peoples' collective experience, parked cars are at least as much of a hazard as moving vehicles.  (I tend to think that most people park their brains at the same time as they park their cars.) Anecdotal evidence suggests that doorings are the most common form of accidents involving cyclists.  For this reason, I generally ride as far left in bike lanes as I can whenever there are cars parked along the curb.  When there are no parked cars, I move right.  I generally find moving vehicles to be more predictable than parked ones.  By moving left, you require less effort to get out of the way of an opening door, and are more visible to moving vehicles.  You also reduce the space they have to get around you.  Some of them will squeeze by you (and maybe honk at you), but most will move left or slow down.

Be safe,

Skip

Permalink Reply by Sofia Biller on October 5, 2012 at 1:42pm
This is horrible. I was doored near that area about one month ago. Filed a police report but
the officer did not take it seriously and there were no consequences for the driver.
Permalink Reply by Banshee: 12-15mi on October 5, 2012 at 2:06pm

My mom called me at work!  She was very worried.  She also casually ask maybe I should stop biking and use public transportation or walk.  Oddly enough, this morning at Washington and Des Plaines I saw a biker rear ended a car.  He was fine, he got up and rode again after checking the rear of the car for damage.
 
Julie Hochstadter said:

My dad just called me to check in.

Permalink Reply by Jenn_5.5 mi on October 5, 2012 at 3:25pm
Couldn't make it out for the vigil. Very glad to see coverage on both fox & wgn (whom made it out there). Hoping that something great will come this tragedy.
The police presence on wells on my commute home was great. (I was annoyed that one police suv just south of Chicago on Wells thought it was a good idea to park in the bike lane, with no lights etc.)
Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on October 5, 2012 at 3:29pm

Thank you Ethan. Very well said. 


Active Transportation Alliance said:

We all as people, no matter how we get around, need to obey the law, make safe choices and respect each other as people not as a "car" or "bike" or "pedestrian"...we're people and we can keep each other safe.

Again, our best thoughts are with the family and friends of the person who died and won't be going home today.

Ethan Spotts, Active Trans

Permalink Reply by Michelle Gregorek on October 5, 2012 at 3:32pm

My heart goes out to Neills family and friends.  At this time I find myself thinking of all of you gathering at the site.  The spot is right outside the window of where I lived, when I lived in Chicago.  So sad.

Permalink Reply by Michelle Gregorek on October 5, 2012 at 3:35pm

I would have been tempted, no, let me rephrase that....I would have asked the officer why he was parked there.  Did you say anything?

Jenn_W said:

Couldn't make it out for the vigil. Very glad to see coverage on both fox & wgn (whom made it out there). Hoping that something great will come this tragedy.
The police presence on wells on my commute home was great. (I was annoyed that one police suv just south of Chicago on Wells thought it was a good idea to park in the bike lane, with no lights etc.)
Permalink Reply by Bob on October 5, 2012 at 3:41pm

my condolences to the cyclist's family and may he rest in peace,,,or may he eternally enjoy that long bike ride in the sky.....peace my cycling friend.

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on October 5, 2012 at 3:45pm
Exactly! I may use your explanation word for word with new commuters when I'm teaching someone how to ride in the streets .



Skip Montanaro said:

I have one other comment on the general topic of defensive cycling.  In my experience, and it appears many peoples' collective experience, parked cars are at least as much of a hazard as moving vehicles.  (I tend to think that most people park their brains at the same time as they park their cars.) Anecdotal evidence suggests that doorings are the most common form of accidents involving cyclists.  For this reason, I generally ride as far left in bike lanes as I can whenever there are cars parked along the curb.  When there are no parked cars, I move right.  I generally find moving vehicles to be more predictable than parked ones.  By moving left, you require less effort to get out of the way of an opening door, and are more visible to moving vehicles.  You also reduce the space they have to get around you.  Some of them will squeeze by you (and maybe honk at you), but most will move left or slow down.

Be safe,

Skip

Permalink Reply by Jenn_5.5 mi on October 5, 2012 at 3:47pm
Michelle- I was going NB they were parked SB. I was waiting to make the left hand turn and just stared in disbelief. Less than a half mile from this tragedy. I debated making my way back at ask/say something, but I was almost doored less then a block before. So I dont think I might not have been polite and probably very emotional.
Permalink Reply by Bob on October 5, 2012 at 3:56pm

I rode by the site of the accident earlier this evening. It was pretty quiet out there. There were a couple of cyclists riding, seemingly oblivious too what transpired early in the day. As I approached the point where I believe the incident occurred, I got off my bike to take in the totality of what happened there. There was a NBC news van sitting approximately 50' north of the Oak/Wells intersection. The driver was in the vehicle engrossed with some activity on his phone. I stood there for a minute, had my thoughts on the matter and then I pressed on wards with my bike ride home.

What happened today was a great tragedy. Yet, are we supposed to accept this as one of the hazards of bicycling in the city? The driver of the parked Nissan Altima was cited for causing the crash. Is that enough? I'm sure he must feel terrible for his actions, and hopefully he will think twice before he acts rashly again. But, there are over 8 million licensed drivers in Illinois. Can this tragedy sway the thinking of even a percent of all those drivers, to mind others on the road?

I hope that people will be able to become considerate to what exists within their surroundings. As a cyclist, I know that my actions my have subsequent consequences far beyond my meager abilities as a man. So I try to remember, there is more than "me" out there in the world.

Be safe.

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