The Chainlink

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I'm still wondering if it someone we know or a Chainlink member.

Add this to the law, the training programs, and the Driver's Ed books:

Use your RIGHT hand to open the car door instead of your left, this gives you a better look at what's coming from behind.

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

My sincerest sympathies to the bicyclist's family and friends.

I rode my bike past the accident just a few minutes after it happened - the police were not yet there.  Nearly 6 hours later I am still shaken. It seemed like the truck was a reasonable distance from the bike lane and unfortunately it was the door that precipitated the accident.  I made eye contact with the presumed truck driver and can share that there was sadness and disbelief in his eyes.  What a horrible accident.  

Thank you to those who have posted about the unsafe nature of that stretch of Wells due to the school drop-offs.  I will rethink my normal commute route.  

I've been wondering the same thing, and feeling a bit of dread because of it.

Julie Hochstadter said:

I'm still wondering if it someone we know or a Chainlink member.

Excellent tip.

Bob Kastigar said:

Add this to the law, the training programs, and the Driver's Ed books:

Use your RIGHT hand to open the car door instead of your left, this gives you a better look at what's coming from behind.

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

Updated Tribune story identifies the victim as Neil Townsend.

I have been dreading the same thing -and feel guilt and shame for being so selfish that I don't want it to be anyone I know.   Every human has worth, not just those we interact with or know.   But still...I have these thoughts -don't let it be someone I know :(

Anne Alt said:

I've been wondering the same thing, and feeling a bit of dread because of it.

Julie Hochstadter said:

I'm still wondering if it someone we know or a Chainlink member.

I'm not sure if Neil was a chainlink member, but he was a really nice guy.  He was on his way to work on W. Fulton Market this morning.  He didn't show up on time and didn't respond to text messages, unusual for him.  Police showed up at his office to let people know what had happened.  This is incredibly sad, and I know at least one of his coworkers who rode into work today was too shaken to ride home.  My thoughts are with Neil's family and friends.

Kevin C said:

Updated Tribune story identifies the victim as Neil Townsend.

This is heartbreaking to hear as I bike this route all of the time.  More education is needed all around.  The most obvious is for auto drivers and their passengers.  But also for cyclists...I will probably be flamed for saying this but...  I am not saying the victim here did anything wrong, I have no idea, I wasn't there.  But I am saying we can do more to bike more safely for ourselves and others.  Often when riding, I see cyclists in front of me swerving in and out of the bike lane into traffic without looking, trying to avoid every manhole and crack in the asphalt.  There is a lot we can do, like slowing down when we get into crowded areas like around Walter Payton High School and being prepared, only passing on the left, stopping at stop signs and stop lights, using hand signals, using lights, wearing helmets...  God bless his family and friends...

Might it also be a good idea to gather for a memorial on a weekday morning around the time that it occurred? We could wear white shirts and gather (on the sidewalk?) at the site. It just seems like being there at the time when the area is busiest is a good time to remind people to check for cyclists (and other traffic) before opening their doors.

The Tribune updated the story with a video from the WGN news. If you play the vid it starts with a really inappropriate commercial.

I don't know if we all see the same commercial (due to data mining my PC) but check it out and see if you have the same problem as I.

The Tribune updated the story with a video from the WGN news. If you play the vid it starts with a really inappropriate commercial.

I don't know if we all see the same commercial (due to data mining my PC) but check it out and see if you have the same problem as I.

Yes, same terrible commercial when I watched it too...

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