The Chainlink

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 Dirke on October 5, 2012 at 12:46pm

I'm not the organizing type, but don't really think a ride is appropriate, since multiple cyclists just seem to further enrage the anti-cycling public. 

But if this is what it comes to, how about ending the ride earlier, or stopping by the death site earlier and do some quiet sitting in?  White candles lighted seems to me to be the most appropriate for a memorial.

And if someone has experience with calling the television news crews, all the better.

Permalink Reply by David Barish on October 5, 2012 at 12:52pm

So sad.  I ride by that same location all the time. We can all say "there but for the grace of God go I." How many of us have made that split second decision to encounter the lesser of two evils- the open door and whatever lurks to our left further in the lane. We figure we can evade something we did not see on the left rather than barrel into the door for a more minor injury that can screw up our bike and result in a pissing contest with the door's owner. Even when you have a mirror or have scanned the lane you can make an error or not see somebody who was in a blind spot.  You did your best, the driver is relatively innocent and the door opener never had an idea of the consequences of the cascading train of events that could follow. Within the last week I peeked to my left when seeing a driver fidgeting in his car that was parked.  A cab buzzed by on the left out of the corner of my eye and I risked passing close to the parked car.  It could have been different...like this. Perhaps the parked driver actually looked in the mirror and did not see the cyclists coming.  Its a tough one.  All we can do is think of this poor fellow and those who know and love him and after that resolve to keep our awareness and our wits when we are on the road. 

Permalink Reply by spencewine on October 5, 2012 at 12:53pm

I think a ride is exactly what is in order to show solidarity and that there is a strong community who deeply care about the well-being of it's members. A show of strength might lessen the negative impact this will have on possible future riders, as well as, bring comfort to those currently riding, and bring public attention to the issue of "dooring". I think a ride with a silent gathering at the site of the accident would send a strong message to the public.

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on October 5, 2012 at 12:53pm

 

I have experience with alerting media but no time today due to this job getting in the way.

Skip the ride, I say-- people can arrive however they like.  By tonight friends and familiy will know what happened and may want to participate.

I'm out of time now. If someone can get it up as a vigil at the spot at 9 PM on the chainlink calendar I can do a blast to the various e-mail lists sometime in teh course of the afternoon.



Dirke said:

I'm not the organizing type, but don't really think a ride is appropriate, since multiple cyclists just seem to further enrage the anti-cycling public. 

But if this is what it comes to, how about ending the ride earlier, or stopping by the death site earlier and do some quiet sitting in?  White candles lighted seems to me to be the most appropriate for a memorial.

And if someone has experience with calling the television news crews, all the better.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on October 5, 2012 at 12:53pm

The Illinois Vehicle Code:

No person shall open the door of a vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.

625 ILCS 5/11-1407

Michael J Blane said:

Somewhere, a long time ago, when I had drivers' ed and stuff, I'm pretty sure that I read that it was illegal to exit a vehicle on the traffic side.

Is this still true that you are not supposed to open a car door on the traffic side?

--

Please don't start in about how difficult it is to not exit on the traffic side. I'm merely asking.

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on October 5, 2012 at 12:55pm

Top/reposting since this was immediately buried. Anyone?

h' said:

 

I have experience with alerting media but no time today due to this job getting in the way.

Skip the ride, I say-- people can arrive however they like.  By tonight friends and familiy will know what happened and may want to participate.

I'm out of time now. If someone can get it up as a vigil at the spot at 9 PM on the chainlink calendar I can do a blast to the various e-mail lists sometime in teh course of the afternoon.



Dirke said:

I'm not the organizing type, but don't really think a ride is appropriate, since multiple cyclists just seem to further enrage the anti-cycling public. 

But if this is what it comes to, how about ending the ride earlier, or stopping by the death site earlier and do some quiet sitting in?  White candles lighted seems to me to be the most appropriate for a memorial.

And if someone has experience with calling the television news crews, all the better.

Permalink Reply by Michael J Blane on October 5, 2012 at 1:02pm

Twitter and G+

I'm mjblane on both. Not a lot of followers, but several do ride.

John W. said:

Post it.  Where is it going?

Michael J Blane said:

Do you mind if I post this elsewhere?

John W. said:

First Friday Ride is meeting at BadHappy one block West of Wells on Oak at 8pm.  We'll roll by around 9.

Permalink Reply by prof.gfr on October 5, 2012 at 1:03pm

I ride this route frequently but didn't today.  As other posters have said, any death like this is a tragedy. That it is in such a common area frequented by so many of us does indeed give me great pause.  

I really hope this results in greater public awareness of the dangers of not looking before opening a door, about the importance of clear/maintained stripes on the road, and the importance of well-maintained roads. That section is pot-hole covered and dangerous on many levels. 

My sympathies to the cyclist's family, the driver of the truck (who appears not to be at fault), as well as the person whose door resulted in this tragedy. I'm sure they as traumatized as the truck driver. Their actions appear to have caused the accident, but it is a very common mistake and one that the city has not properly addressed through PSAs and appropriate emphasis in driver's ed.  

My sense is that the recent emphasis in driver's ed and license renewals on pulling over for emergency vehicles has changed the culture in Chicago during the past decade.  I imagine we could similarly change the culture around opening car doors as well, but only if it becomes a significant issue. Perhaps this is the moment for that to happen.  

Permalink Reply by TehDoak on October 5, 2012 at 1:04pm

I'm very curious exactly WHAT happened.  I mean, everytime I hear a semi coming behind me, my ass puckers and I'm insanely on edge.  From the looks of it he was unaware it was behind him...and if so, was he wearing headphones?

Permalink Reply by Dirke on October 5, 2012 at 1:04pm

May I suggest....

The First Friday ride end up at Walter Payton College Prep for a memorial gathering in the 9:00 timeframe.

Those who don't feel like/can't get to the ride, please come to Walter Payton Prep as a show of solidarity.

I like the idea of white candles, but they're hard to keep lit in the wind.  Maybe paper lunch bag lanterns weighted with votive candles along the while line of the bike lane?

Julie... Chainlink calendar?

h'.... release the hounds.

Permalink Reply by David Holmquist on October 5, 2012 at 1:17pm

I, too, would like to express my condolences to the friends and family of this cyclist, and to the driver of the truck (who seems, based on the report, to be an innocent passer-by). 

In no way am I blaming the victim with the following comment, or implying that he was in any way neglectful ...  I want cycling to be safe and fun for all.

David Barish makes a couple of great points about mirrors and scanning.  Two things I was taught when I first started driving a car were (1) to always scan the side of the road for pedestrians and doors being opened, and (2) to spend as much time checking the traffic situation behind me -- using my mirrors -- as watching the road ahead.  Whether driving or riding, it's crucial to be aware of what's happening all around you.  We're all taught to "drive defensively."  It's even more important to to be defensive when cycling.  I always ride with a mirror, and encourage everyone to do so.  Twice I've bailed out of the way of overtaking traffic where I'd certainly have been run over if I hadn't been watching my six.

Be safe, everyone.

David Barish said:

So sad.  I ride by that same location all the time. We can all say "there but for the grace of God go I." How many of us have made that split second decision to encounter the lesser of two evils- the open door and whatever lurks to our left further in the lane. We figure we can evade something we did not see on the left rather than barrel into the door for a more minor injury that can screw up our bike and result in a pissing contest with the door's owner. Even when you have a mirror or have scanned the lane you can make an error or not see somebody who was in a blind spot.  You did your best, the driver is relatively innocent and the door opener never had an idea of the consequences of the cascading train of events that could follow. Within the last week I peeked to my left when seeing a driver fidgeting in his car that was parked.  A cab buzzed by on the left out of the corner of my eye and I risked passing close to the parked car.  It could have been different...like this. Perhaps the parked driver actually looked in the mirror and did not see the cyclists coming.  Its a tough one.  All we can do is think of this poor fellow and those who know and love him and after that resolve to keep our awareness and our wits when we are on the road. 

Permalink Reply by Carter O'Brien on October 5, 2012 at 1:27pm

Thanks for posting.  At the very least, folks could share this on our various social media pages, I would imagine the vast majority of people have no idea they don't actually have a constitutional right to fling open a car door.

Lisa Curcio said:

The Illinois Vehicle Code:

No person shall open the door of a vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.

625 ILCS 5/11-1407

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