Destructive City Workers...

I was out this morning at work, 600 W. Chicago, and the city is destroying and rebuilding the handicap ramp on Kingsbury & Larabee. I didn't see anything wrong with it, but that's just me. I looked over to see their backhoe pulling up a sign post with a bike locked to it, lifting them both up, then dropping them about six or seven feet up. The brake lever on the left broke off and the handlebars twisted sideways. The other city worker grabs the bike and "gently" moves it to the bike rack, then leans it on the side. 

I went in to inform the security guards that the city was damaging the employee bikes outside. They came out and took the bike that was removed already. The guy in the backhoe yells out "I'm going to destroy these two bikes over here(points to another signpost). They shouldn't be locked up to these posts at all!"

The security guard said he would wait out there and take care of the other bikes that came from the post. I couldn't help but think of how pissed off I would be to get out of work and find my bike not where I left it, then find out the city had done damage to it. 

Grumblegrumblegrumble.

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Permalink Reply by Gecko on July 7, 2014 at 5:49am

Well that just... doesn't seem right.  City workers know that people lock up to poles all the time since the city can't seem to provide enough racks.  It seems like there should have been something posted about the construction, or a fence or tape put up or SOMETHING alerting people that hey, THIS AREA WILL BE DESTROYED TODAY, DON'T PARK HERE.  Obviously car drivers receive that courtesy but not bikers.  I wonder what recourse the bike owners have, as it seems a lawsuit would be too expensive and ultimately unsuccessful?

Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on July 7, 2014 at 5:58am

It was shocking because there wasn't any notification. I guess the security guards knew the ramp would be redone today, but there were no signs posted. People were staring at the guys like they were crazy.

Permalink Reply by Tyler on July 7, 2014 at 6:01am

That was my bike the security guards moved inside, I didn't know it was dropped like that. The brake lever was already busted, but there's all sorts of wobbliness now that I haven't fully investigated. I suspect my only recourse is seething anger.

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on July 7, 2014 at 6:03am

Tyler, that absolutely sucks.

Someone here should know what, if any, recourse is possible. 

Tyler said:

That was my bike the security guards moved inside, I didn't know it was dropped like that. The brake lever was already busted, but there's all sorts of wobbliness now that I haven't fully investigated. I suspect my only recourse is seething anger.

Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on July 7, 2014 at 6:21am

Looks like they're done with this corner. I hope the other two bikes made it out okay. Sorry to hear about your bike Tyler. I tried to straighten the handlebars a bit when I was talking to the security guards. 

Now they're working on the Chicago/Larabee corner.

Permalink Reply by BruceBikes on July 7, 2014 at 6:40am

I believe you can file a claim with the city for any damage they caused to your property:

http://chicityclerk.com/programs-services/claims/

You might need to file a police report through.

And fyi, according to the Municipal Code, parking meters and sign poles are fair game to park your bike.



Tyler said:

That was my bike the security guards moved inside, I didn't know it was dropped like that. The brake lever was already busted, but there's all sorts of wobbliness now that I haven't fully investigated. I suspect my only recourse is seething anger.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on July 7, 2014 at 9:52am
Jaik, Thank you for your actions today. As part of the cycling community in our city we should all do our part and speak out and react (within reason) when we see "DISRESPECT" being done to fellow cyclists.
Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on July 7, 2014 at 1:00pm

Every bit of caring for each other can go a long way. That's all I have to say.

Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on July 8, 2014 at 8:41am

This....I had my exhaust ripped off my car years ago because they torn up a street and didn't mark a manhole cover.  $500 later and several calls to the city to send me the forms to fill out I was finally told it was beyond their time limit to file a claim.  When I said I have been calling for weeks the guy literally laughed on the phone and hung up.  I called back and got the supervisor who told me if I have an issue I came come downtown to resolve it face to face, and then also hung up.

Guess it pays to be a lazy union POS......



h' 1.0 said:

In my experience with this claim process, you waste a bunch of time preparing the documentation, and 2 months later you receive a denial letter with no explanation.

BruceBikes said:

I believe you can file a claim with the city for any damage they caused to your property:

http://chicityclerk.com/programs-services/claims/

You might need to file a police report through.

And fyi, according to the Municipal Code, parking meters and sign poles are fair game to park your bike.



Tyler said:

That was my bike the security guards moved inside, I didn't know it was dropped like that. The brake lever was already busted, but there's all sorts of wobbliness now that I haven't fully investigated. I suspect my only recourse is seething anger.

Permalink Reply by Justin B Newman on July 8, 2014 at 9:10am

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Permalink Reply by Curt Flowers on July 10, 2014 at 7:48am

The city is technically responsible for the damage because as someone pointed out, there was no notice. City workers have a duty of care not to damage property and that duty was breached, giving the owner a cause of action aka ability to bring a suit.

If the owner needs some help, I'd be happy to help them with the paperwork to at least attempt to get compensation. Or anyone else with a questionable legal event.

Permalink Reply by Tyler on July 10, 2014 at 8:27am

I think I'll be able to bypass the bureaucratic nightmare -- after riding my bike around a bit, it looks like it isn't any more broken than it was before they dropped it on its head. Just need to turn a couple of spokes on the front wheel. 

Thanks everybody for the support, and especially to Jaik, for doing what you did. I realize that without your efforts I may have no bike at all right now.

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