Cyclist sues city for falling off bike

I just came across this story on the Tribune. As much as I can't stand frivolous lawsuits of the I'm an idiot and I fell so now I need to blame someone else type, I actually kind of hope he wins. Only because the judge may force the city to make bridges safer. 

Realistically I don't think this suit stands a chance. 

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Gregorek on March 21, 2012 at 4:23pm

As someone who used to bike over that area quite often, I hope he is successful.  Maybe then it will be fixed???

Permalink Reply by Rich S on March 21, 2012 at 4:27pm

If he does win I think the city will be forced to for 1 of 2 reasons:

1 - the judge may order the city to do so

2 - riders will start falling on purpose and filing their own lawsuits

On a side note, the bridge over the river at Division is horrible! There are gaps in the metal grating large enough for a person to fall through.

Michelle Gregorek said:

As someone who used to bike over that area quite often, I hope he is successful.  Maybe then it will be fixed???

Permalink Reply by S.Presley☠ on March 21, 2012 at 5:13pm

When I saw this posted yesterday, I didn't think it was frivolous at all. I have always thought these bridges were awful to ride over and very dangerous.

I don't know what i would do if I got my teeth knocked out...it just makes me cringe.

http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/counting-my-teeth

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on March 21, 2012 at 5:23pm

The installation of Kathy plates would seem like the most cost-effective "fix."

Permalink Reply by Liz on March 22, 2012 at 12:19am

I don't think anyone would want to fall on purpose on these bridges, not only could the fall injure you seriously, but you are also at risk to fall into vehicle traffic.  The city is creating a hazard by not putting plates on these bridges.  Adding plates is not very expensive compared to the budget of so many other road projects. Its time that cycling issues begin getting there own dedicated funding, instead of just being piggy backed into other projects when its convieniant.  The division bridges just had work completed on them, there is no reason the city couldn't have included plates as part of that work.

Rich S said:

If he does win I think the city will be forced to for 1 of 2 reasons:

1 - the judge may order the city to do so

2 - riders will start falling on purpose and filing their own lawsuits

On a side note, the bridge over the river at Division is horrible! There are gaps in the metal grating large enough for a person to fall through.

Michelle Gregorek said:

As someone who used to bike over that area quite often, I hope he is successful.  Maybe then it will be fixed???

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on March 22, 2012 at 1:02am

The bridge on Division is much more dangerous than any of the bridges immediately surrounding the Loop.

Rich S said:


On a side note, the bridge over the river at Division is horrible! There are gaps in the metal grating large enough for a person to fall through.

Permalink Reply by mike w. on March 22, 2012 at 1:13am

i'll make a prediction on the outcome here:

 

Long term (if the lawsuit isn't thrown out), the city will settle out-of-court, but it will take years and years.

Short term: The city will ban bicycles on bridges.

 

You saw it here first.

Permalink Reply by Michelle Gregorek on March 22, 2012 at 1:23am

The bridge on Division?  I always said a prayer before crossing that one.  Seriously!

Permalink Reply by Len Krietz on March 22, 2012 at 1:43am

I always detour to the sidewalk on the Division bridge.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on March 22, 2012 at 2:06am

While I personally dislike Kathy plates and have zero problem with a well-maintained metal lattice roadway on a bicycle the state of disrepair of many (most) of Chicago's bridges is totally unacceptable.  Holes need to be patched -and not with mini-Kathyplates.   That just makes it worse.  

As long as you are not riding 23-25mm tires a well-maintained metal lattice is not a problem IMHO.  

Holes/gaps are just not acceptable though.

Permalink Reply by Rich S on March 22, 2012 at 2:59am

I fully agree the city has a duty and responsibility to improve the bridges ... same with fixing potholes and other street hazards.

I suppose I'd have to know the extent of the person's injuries and what they were seeking before criticizing the lawsuit as frivolous. If they bruised their elbow and are now seeking $100,000, I'd say frivolous. If all they're seeking is expenses reimbursed and an order from the judge to fix the bridges, then I'm behind this 1000%.  

At the end of the day, people are responsible for their actions and the decisions they make. I almost never choose to walk my bike across bridges. If I fall I will blame myself. But yeah the thought of losing teeth scares the crap out of me. 

S.Presley said:

When I saw this posted yesterday, I didn't think it was frivolous at all. I have always thought these bridges were awful to ride over and very dangerous.

I don't know what i would do if I got my teeth knocked out...it just makes me cringe.

http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/counting-my-teeth

Permalink Reply by Liz on March 22, 2012 at 3:02am

Cyclists should not be limited to riding on a specific size tire. While my commuting bike has 28cm tires, my road bike has 23s, I should have to change where I cross the river or walk my bike accross when it is the city's responsibility to eliminate road hazards to the intended users.  Many of these locations are on bike routes marked on the city bicycle map.  It is very clear that cyclists are intended users.

James BlackHeron said:

While I personally dislike Kathy plates and have zero problem with a well-maintained metal lattice roadway on a bicycle the state of disrepair of many (most) of Chicago's bridges is totally unacceptable.  Holes need to be patched -and not with mini-Kathyplates.   That just makes it worse.  

As long as you are not riding 23-25mm tires a well-maintained metal lattice is not a problem IMHO.  

Holes/gaps are just not acceptable though.

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