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 Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on October 6, 2012 at 2:29am

The jerk pulled the page, but the image is still hosted at the site. You can still do a Google Image Search with his name and find it.  It's pretty darn disgusting.

Humans gonna hate. 

Permalink Reply by Patrick Lukan on October 6, 2012 at 4:05am

My sympathy to the family, friends, and work colleagues of Neil.  This is a tragedy that can happen to any of us.  In his honor, let's work together to make the streets safer for everyone by raising awareness and making the city more bike friendly.  I suspect we may be able to get Mayor Rahm to help out.

Permalink Reply by Patrick Lukan on October 6, 2012 at 4:12am

I agree...if we could do it next Friday morning at about the same time of the accident that might help raise awareness.  If The Mayor is in town and available, maybe we could try and get him to come out which would draw the press there to help raise awareness.  Just a thought but the best we need to make something good come out of a very tragic accident.  And I'd be willing to try and coordinate.


David of the North (David606xx) said:

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.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 6, 2012 at 4:23am

Yes, a new thread for planning is a good idea.  I'll plan to be there and will get the word out to Chicago Cycling Club folks.

This was my most frequent morning commute route into the Loop when I lived in Rogers Park, and I escaped a bunch of near doorings in that area.  David's idea of meet-ups is a good one.  I hope that it makes a positive difference by increasing bike commuter visibility and allowing more people who share similar commutes to get acquainted.    

h' said:

If we're talking Friday the 19th I took off work and can actually be there...

I'd suggest a new thread for planning since the useability/readability of the current format is hard enough with a handful of posts-- it gets really hard for most to follow with 100+.

(edit-- bad math-- next Friday is the 12th...)

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on October 6, 2012 at 5:06am
Did anyone see the trib article about the vigil? John woo was quoted - http://touch.chicagotribune.com/#section/544/article/p2p-72731351/
Permalink Reply by Duppie on October 6, 2012 at 5:25am

My condolences go to Neill's family and friends. He seemed like an all-around nice guy.

It took the Trib nearly 24 hours, but they finally have a well written, non-sensationalist article that clearly describes how opening a door can create dangerous situations for bicyclists. Hopefully people reading this article will remember to look for bicyclists next time they open a door.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-semi-hits-bicyclist...

Permalink Reply by ciarliera on October 6, 2012 at 6:09am

I'm in David. This is also on my everyday route. I'm in the 9 am group headed to the West Loop.

David of the North (David606xx) said:

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.

Permalink Reply by Melissa M on October 6, 2012 at 6:15am

I started a new discussion to help facilitate planning next Friday's memorial to raise awareness. http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/friday-morning-memorial-fo...



Kristy Lapidus said:

I'm in David. This is also on my everyday route. I'm in the 9 am group headed to the West Loop.

David of the North (David606xx) said:

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.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 6, 2012 at 7:00am

This is a MUCH better version of the article, with an emphasis on education rather than fear mongering.  I think they really got the message from what some of us wrote in response to their original story.

Duppie said:

My condolences go to Neill's family and friends. He seemed like an all-around nice guy.

It took the Trib nearly 24 hours, but they finally have a well written, non-sensationalist article that clearly describes how opening a door can create dangerous situations for bicyclists. Hopefully people reading this article will remember to look for bicyclists next time they open a door.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-semi-hits-bicyclist...

Permalink Reply by Trevor on October 6, 2012 at 11:42am

Neill's friends and coworkers are definitely OK with a ghost bike.  Is there someone they should contact?  I can pass any info along to someone at Minimal, where Neill worked. 



h' said:

Thanks, Trevor.

If there is an opportune moment to do so, can you please find out if friends/family would be OK with a ghost bike at the site?

Trevor said:

Yeah, I sent the info to a couple of his friends and coworkers, I think they'll circulate as much as they can.
h' said:

Can you let his friends/family/coworkers know about the vigil tonight at 9?

Trevor said:

I'm not sure if Neil was a chainlink member, but he was a really nice guy.  He was on his way to work on W. Fulton Market this morning.  He didn't show up on time and didn't respond to text messages, unusual for him.  Police showed up at his office to let people know what had happened.  This is incredibly sad, and I know at least one of his coworkers who rode into work today was too shaken to ride home.  My thoughts are with Neil's family and friends.

Kevin C said:

Updated Tribune story identifies the victim as Neil Townsend.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on October 6, 2012 at 6:24pm

A few more examples:

Rob Heinbockel - Only the good die young

Frederick "Dad" Kobrick - He liked to make people laugh

h' said:

Probably ghostbikes@bikechicago.info for best contact.  Would want to know what the sign should say.

Typically a short inscription reflecting the victim's personality, or as chosen by a loved one.  Examples:

Alicia Frantz: She heard everyday sounds as music

Mandy Annis: She finished God's Race in 24 years

Tyler Fabeck: Never Forget
Jackie Michon: You Belong Among the Wildflowers (she loved Tom Petty and that song in particular.)

Jepson Livingston: He loved to cook

Trevor said:

Neill's friends and coworkers are definitely OK with a ghost bike.  Is there someone they should contact?  I can pass any info along to someone at Minimal, where Neill worked. 


h' said:

Thanks, Trevor.

If there is an opportune moment to do so, can you please find out if friends/family would be OK with a ghost bike at the site?

Trevor said:

Yeah, I sent the info to a couple of his friends and coworkers, I think they'll circulate as much as they can.
h' said:

Can you let his friends/family/coworkers know about the vigil tonight at 9?

Trevor said:

I'm not sure if Neil was a chainlink member, but he was a really nice guy.  He was on his way to work on W. Fulton Market this morning.  He didn't show up on time and didn't respond to text messages, unusual for him.  Police showed up at his office to let people know what had happened.  This is incredibly sad, and I know at least one of his coworkers who rode into work today was too shaken to ride home.  My thoughts are with Neil's family and friends.

Kevin C said:

Updated Tribune story identifies the victim as Neil Townsend.

Permalink Reply by Nancy B. Beck on October 9, 2012 at 3:29am

I'm very sorry for the family. Drivers need to be more aware of cyclist and etc. before opening there doors. Cyclists need to ride defensively, always anticipating cars will do dumb things. More people are commuting to work because of high gas prices and health. Even in the suburbs we have dumb drivers. 

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