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 Kevin C Dormant on October 5, 2012 at 8:51am

Updated Tribune story identifies the victim as Neil Townsend.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on October 5, 2012 at 8:53am

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.
Permalink Reply by Trevor on October 5, 2012 at 8:59am

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.

Permalink Reply by Stephen P. on October 5, 2012 at 8:59am

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...

Permalink Reply by Melissa M on October 5, 2012 at 9:00am

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.

Permalink Reply by Mike Fiasco on October 5, 2012 at 9:23am

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.

Permalink Reply by morebanjo on October 5, 2012 at 9:26am

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...

Permalink Reply by Trevor on October 5, 2012 at 9:27am

Yeah, I think I saw the same one.  Guy sitting in a cab, then people running and motoring through the traffic jam, caution be damned?  Agreed that it's very inappropriate.

Mike Fiasco said:

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.

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on October 5, 2012 at 9:33am
The one I saw was for prudential insurance. I'm on an iPad though. It's a short video, not from wign.


And I don't believe neill was a Chainlink member. They updated the story saying he was an attorney on his way to work.
Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on October 5, 2012 at 9:40am

I regularly ride between Evanston and the Loop and ride Wells through Old Town.  I can attest to the fact that the area around Walter Payton can be an especially dynamic stretch of road.  Lots of stuff happening, between student drop-offs and pick-ups, students using the crosswalks (or crossing mid-block), the rough road and current construction in the area, and cars entering from Oak and Hill.  I ride early enough that I generally miss most of the traffic, but there is a significant difference in traffic load between the northern reaches of Clark Street near Evanston and the area closer to the Loop at the time I ride.  I consciously slow down a bit after leaving Clark at Lincoln & Wells for a few reasons:

  • It's later in the commute, so the traffic is heavier - so I slow down
  • As noted by many, some stretches there are especially hazardous - all the more reason to ease up
  • For whatever reason, it seems a lot of people like to race, riding faster than conditions warrant - no sense letting the testosterone take over when they pass me

I'm not suggesting that Mr. Townsend did anything wrong.  I'm just offering my perspective as one who commutes a bit further than average, so sees a wider range of commuting conditions.  Slowing down a little gives you a bit more time to react to hazards as they pop up.  Riding without headphones, and leaving the cellphone in your pocket are also a good ideas.  All the more senses available to detect potential problems.

Be safe...

Skip

Permalink Reply by Barry Niel Stuart on October 5, 2012 at 9:51am

When it comes to semis, I give them a very wide berth because of the huge blind spots they have.  If I can't see the driver's face, that also means he can't see me.

Permalink Reply by April on October 5, 2012 at 9:55am

I remember reading that in driver's ed too, I think it referred to all backseat passengers not just kids. 

Bill Savage said:

Kids should not be getting out of cars on the traffic side of a vehicle.  They should only get out on the sidewalk side.

Cameron Puetz said:

It's likely that a kid opened the door. The way parents droping kids off park around there has turned ridding that stretch of Wells in the morning into running a gauntlet.


Jason said:



Amber K said:

It was just on the 11 o'clock news. The street is still closed, and the body is still under the wheels of the truck.  No tickets have been issued as of now.  Awful!

That is ridiculous! The driver who opened that door should be ticketed and arrested!

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