Couple on tandem hit by distracted driver near Champaign, IL

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Permalink Reply by Gin on March 23, 2011 at 9:33am

This is such a horrific story. The bicycle was their freedom.

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Permalink Reply by BalloonBiker on March 23, 2011 at 10:48am

I remember reading about this when it first happened and was saddened, but this complete story is really, truly moving. I've worked with people with disabilities before and I'm sure this couple must have been a role model to many in their community and their full lives would have continued to have been an inspiration to many more.

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Permalink Reply by League of Illinois Bicyclists on March 23, 2011 at 11:21am

The League of Illinois Bicyclists is devastated by yet another crash resulting in a fatality and injuries to cyclists who were exercising their right to the road. We have been working with local advocates, lawyers and the state's attorney to see that justice is served in this case and will continue to work at the statewide level to improve the legal environment around cycling. We will keep this forum posted about developments.

 

Gin Kilgore*
Program Manager, League of Illinois Bicyclists
The statewide advocate for all Illinois bicyclists, promoting bicycle access, education, and safety.

www.bikelib.org

773.332.6117

*I posted earlier as just myself, but also wanted to share a response on behalf of LIB.

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Permalink Reply by Liz on March 23, 2011 at 11:27am

Really tragic story, I couldn't make it through the whole thing without tearing up at work, I'll sit down and read it in its entirety tonight. 

 

On the subject of reckless and negligant, a negligant driver is a reckless driver.  Until as a culture we can learn to stop and pull over while reading a map or spend an extra 5 minutes finishing a phone call before driving becuase driving distracted is reckless that people will continue to believe that what they are doing is perfectly acceptable and that they are "safe" when they do it because nothing serious has happened when they have done it in the past. 

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on March 24, 2011 at 10:06am

This is a heartbreaking story and yet another reason why the laws creating new charges for reckless homicide and vehicular harassment are necessary.

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