The Chainlink

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

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???

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

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

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???

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.

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.

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

If it was in my part of town, I'd be on a mission to find someone who could get some action on the gaps in the Division bridge.

What have you guys done so far?

I always detour to the sidewalk on the Division bridge.

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.

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

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