Bicyclist killed at Oak & Wells Friday AM

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

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michelle Gregorek on October 5, 2012 at 4:03pm

I hear you sister. Be safe!

Jenn_W said:

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.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on October 5, 2012 at 4:58pm

Reviewing the media coverage--the letters/e-mails from members of the chainlink seem to have been considered in updating reports, and it is clear that Ethan and Active Trans have had an impact on the reporting. One small step for cyclists. . . I was bemused by the comment on ABC local that Active Trans is an advocacy group for cyclists. True, of course, but it ignores the fact that Active Trans is so much more than that.

Also, those who were able to be at the site tonight, thank you from all of us. At least WGN (maybe others) were there to broadcast coverage of the vigil.

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Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on October 5, 2012 at 5:13pm

I think this would be great, too. I'm in if we can get something together - maybe next Friday morning during the commute time? It would keep a focus on the seriousness of the issue, and educate drivers. Any weekday would work, just thought marking the day on which it happened might be nice.

Melissa, would you want to set something up? Would those who rode to the vigil this evening come back?

Kristy Lapidus said:

I agree Melissa.

Melissa M said:

Might it also be a good idea to gather for a memorial on a weekday morning around the time that it occurred? We could wear white shirts and gather (on the sidewalk?) at the site. It just seems like being there at the time when the area is busiest is a good time to remind people to check for cyclists (and other traffic) before opening their doors.

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Permalink Reply by pat 5.5mi on October 5, 2012 at 5:19pm

+1

Sarah D. said:

I think this would be great, too. I'm in if we can get something together - maybe next Friday morning during the commute time? It would keep a focus on the seriousness of the issue, and educate drivers. Any weekday would work, just thought marking the day on which it happened might be nice.

Melissa, would you want to set something up? Would those who rode to the vigil this evening come back?

Kristy Lapidus said:

I agree Melissa.

Melissa M said:

Might it also be a good idea to gather for a memorial on a weekday morning around the time that it occurred? We could wear white shirts and gather (on the sidewalk?) at the site. It just seems like being there at the time when the area is busiest is a good time to remind people to check for cyclists (and other traffic) before opening their doors.

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Permalink Reply by David of the North (David606xx) on October 5, 2012 at 6:13pm

This is my everyday route to work during rush hour. I rolled by this morning just after it had happened, just before the EMT's had put a sheet over him. The most awful thing I've ever seen.

Bike lanes can't protect us, drivers can't be relied upon to see us or think of us. We need to band together and protect each other. Whenever there are five or six of us at a red light, we need to mob up and take the lane. Nobody left behind.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 5, 2012 at 7:34pm

+1

h' said:

Now that I have time to review this thread fully-- wondering if Chris (OP) might consider changing the subject line to include Neill's name-- friends/loved ones do Google in these situations and in this case it would be great for them to see how many people care about this and that so many people's thoughts are with them.

Also-- big thanks to Ethan for being where and when he needed to be; I can't think of a better person to be the face and the voice of more vulnerable traffic participants, as draining as it must be in a situation like this.

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Permalink Reply by David of the North (David606xx) on October 5, 2012 at 8:46pm

This is my everyday route and I'm planning on leaving for work early every day next week to try to form mini-masses at the red lights where several of us take up a lane. Doing something positive at the site will surely help me get through this piece of street, and I'm sure the other Wells St. commuters will benefit as well.

Commuters tend to fall into two blocks--8am people and 9am people. Starting something early or holding two meetups will cover more commuters.

Sarah D. said:

I think this would be great, too. I'm in if we can get something together - maybe next Friday morning during the commute time? It would keep a focus on the seriousness of the issue, and educate drivers. Any weekday would work, just thought marking the day on which it happened might be nice.

Melissa, would you want to set something up? Would those who rode to the vigil this evening come back?

Kristy Lapidus said:

I agree Melissa.

Melissa M said:

Might it also be a good idea to gather for a memorial on a weekday morning around the time that it occurred? We could wear white shirts and gather (on the sidewalk?) at the site. It just seems like being there at the time when the area is busiest is a good time to remind people to check for cyclists (and other traffic) before opening their doors.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Gregorek on October 6, 2012 at 1:44am

Yes, please Chris (OP) change the subject line. I googled Mr. Townsend's name and got this.

http://truenewsusa.blogspot.com/2012/10/attorney-neill-townsend-sav...

What has happened to us that someone would write something like this?????

h' said:

Now that I have time to review this thread fully-- wondering if Chris (OP) might consider changing the subject line to include Neill's name-- friends/loved ones do Google in these situations and in this case it would be great for them to see how many people care about this and that so many people's thoughts are with them.

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Permalink Reply by Justin B Newman on October 6, 2012 at 1:52am

Haters gonna hate.

-jbn

Michelle Gregorek said:

What has happened to us that someone would write something like this?????

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Permalink Reply by mike w. on October 6, 2012 at 1:59am

I started to read that article, but i was almost instantly sickened. Nihilistic blather, but no surprise, really. i wonder what's worse-the people who write such trash, or the people who get off reading it.

Not funny. Not clever. Bad karma all 'round.

i didn't know Mr. Townsend, and i don't ride in that part of town, but i am very rattled by the news of his death and i mourn the man. This is the sort of thing that could happen to any of us, and makes one think twice before rolling out. But i think that he would want us to keep riding.

Michelle Gregorek said: