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 Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on October 5, 2012 at 3:45am

any more info?

Permalink Reply by Josh.E on October 5, 2012 at 4:10am

My boss just called, text and emailed me to make sure it wasn't me then says thats it no more bike riding for me since she got so worried and freaked out.  I was just there before this happened dropping my daughter off at daycare its a seriously sad thing hopefully none of the little kids saw it since there is like 2 schools right there.

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on October 5, 2012 at 4:10am

My dad just called me to check in.

Permalink Reply by Rich S on October 5, 2012 at 4:17am

I just read this myself. I pass through that intersection almost every day at 8am on my way to work. My heart goes out to the cyclist's family. 

The article said it happened right in front of the high school and that the cyclist fell underneath a flat bed's front wheels. Those things scare the crap out of me since they can be pretty wide and certainly wider than the cab up front. The rider could easily have been hit by the flatbed but good luck getting the driver to admit that if it's the case.  

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 5, 2012 at 4:20am

My sympathy to the cyclist's family and friends.

Permalink Reply by Amber K on October 5, 2012 at 4:34am

It's going to be on the news at noon.

Permalink Reply by Jason W on October 5, 2012 at 4:40am

Since they often change these stories I will repost the text here:

A bicyclist was struck and killed by a semi truck on the Near North Side this morning, apparently when he swerved to avoid an open car door, authorities said.

Police at the scene said the accident happened just before 9 a.m. on Wells Street in front of Walter Payton High School, just north of Oak Street.

The bicyclist was in the southbound lane and turned suddently to avoid an open car door and fell underneath the front wheels of the truck's flat-bed trailer, police said.

As of 10:20 a.m., rescue crews were still working to remove the body. The bicycle lay near cars parked along the curb. The victim is male, but no other information was available.

Sounds like he just about got doored, then killed by a truck. Absolutely ridiculous. I almost got doored this morning too. Would have if I had been in the door zone. Something needs to be done about the dooring in this city.

Permalink Reply by Marc-Paul Lee on October 5, 2012 at 4:43am

sadly, the take-away for many may be "biking is dangerous" rather than "look before opening your door."  

Permalink Reply by Jenn_5.5 mi on October 5, 2012 at 4:53am

This sickens me and breaks my heart.

This is one of the worst spots on my daily commute. You MUST check before you open the door (IT IS THE LAW!) no matter if you are looking for bikes or car, etc. I HATE Wells, the High School, Middle School, and Early Education center make it a nightmare around 8am and at 5pm the Early Education Center is Terrible, Parents double parking, letting their kids run into the rode/bike lane, etc.

My sympathy to the family & friends of the fallen cyclist. 

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 5, 2012 at 4:54am

Yet another reason for a LOT more education about sharing the road.

Marc-Paul Lee said:

sadly, the take-away for many may be "biking is dangerous" rather than "look before opening your door."  

Permalink Reply by Adam Torres on October 5, 2012 at 5:01am

This really bums me out, especially the photo the tribune posted with the story. They have been posting some pretty gruesome photos lately with their stories. Disturbing.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 5, 2012 at 5:02am

It doesn't help that pavement is rough in that area, bike lane markings are nearly worn off, and all the "special" traffic sources you mention make conditions tougher there.

This morning I was talking to a police officer who works in that district (evenings - was not on duty when this horrible crash happened).  His first comment upon seeing the story (before it was updated to include the door detail): "I'll bet that guy was avoiding a car door." 

He also commented that he expects traffic to be heavier than normal for a while on that section of Wells, between construction on the Clark/Division red line station and closure of the Oak St. ramp for LSD.  He thought that many drivers going to/from that general area would use LaSalle, Wells, Orleans or streets further west to bypass the construction areas.  Using a little more caution than usual when riding through River North might not be a bad thing.  Aside from detoured regular traffic, we're likely to see more construction vehicles traveling to/from points further west.

Jenn_W said:

This sickens me and breaks my heart.

This is one of the worst spots on my daily commute. You MUST check before you open the door (IT IS THE LAW!) no matter if you are looking for bikes or car, etc. I HATE Wells, the High School, Middle School, and Early Education center make it a nightmare around 8am and at 5pm the Early Education Center is Terrible, Parents double parking, letting their kids run into the rode/bike lane, etc.

My sympathy to the family & friends of the fallen cyclist. 

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