Bike Attorney Mike Keating Attends Illinois Bike Summit

Keating Law Offices attorney Mike Keating attended the 4th Annual Illinois Bike Summit on October 28, 2015 in Champaign-Urbana. The Illinois Bike Summit is presented by the League of Illinois Bicyclists which announced at the summit that it is changing its name to "Bike Illinois."

The Illinois Bike Summit

The Illinois Bike Summit brought together 300 bike advocates, engineers, politicians and community members to meet on various topics regarding bicycling in Illinois. The Daily Illini wrote an excellent recap that you can find by clicking here.

Attorney Mike Keating said the following about the event, "The Illinois Bike Summit is an important part of bicycle advocacy in Illinois. Taking the time for bicycle supporters from different areas to come together and focus specifically on how to make bicycling better and safer is critically important." 

Illinois Bicycle Lawyers At Keating Law Offices

In addition to being one of the nation's leading bicycle attorneys, Mike Keating has a long background in Illinois politics and community organizing. He is the former staff attorney for the Illinois House of Representatives committees on State Government and Civil Law, the area that encompasses personal injury and wrongful death cases. Mike has previously been a delegate to the Democratic National Convention and has worked on numerous political campaigns. Mike now devotes his practice to the representation of injured bicyclists and their families. As a part of that dedication, Mike is proud of his ability to use the political skills and contact gained during his legal career.

Keating Law Offices is the premiere personal injury law firm representing victims of bicycle accidents in Illinois. The firm is based in Chicago, Illinois and represents clients throughout Illinois.

If you have any questions regarding this post or have a question regarding personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney Mike Keating at 312-239-6787 (Office) or 312-208-7702 (Nights/Weekends). Our staff and operators are available around the clock. You can also email Mike@KeatingLegal.com 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All e-mails and phone calls are returned promptly. All initial consultations are confidential and free.

Chicago Bicyclist Injured When Tow Truck Makes Illegal "Right Hook" in Lincoln Park

A 38-year old Chicago bicyclist was injured in a crash with a tow truck in Lincoln Park early Thursday. The bicycle accident took place when both the bicyclist and the tow truck were travelling east on Fullerton Avenue and approaching Halsted Street near DePaul University. This is a six-corner intersection with Fullerton and Halsted intersected diagonally by Lincoln Avenue as well. There are bike lanes at or near this intersection on all three of these major Chicago streets. The official bike map for the City of Chicago clearly marks the presence of bike lanes on Fullerton, Halsted and Lincoln. 

Chicago Bicycle Crashes Often Occur At Intersections

According to the original news reports, the collision between the bicyclist and the Ford F-650 truck occurred when the driver of the tow truck apparently did not check the blind spot of the vehicle and turned across the bicyclist as the tow truck turned from Fullerton onto Halsted Street. 

Since the initial reports it has been clarified that the bicyclist was injured but not killed. As a result of the impact, the bicyclists was knocked off of her bicycle and suffered a head injury. Paramedics responded to the scene and transported the bicyclist to Illinois Masonic Hospital.

Chicago Bike Law Prohibits Right Hooks

This type of collision is what is known as a "right hook" turn and it is specifically prohibited by the law. Section 9-16-020 of the Municipal Code of Chicago specifically prohibits right turns in front of bicycles. The ordinance states:

“When a motor vehicle and a bicycle are traveling in the same direction on any highway, street, or road, the operator of the motor vehicle overtaking such bicycle traveling on the right side of the roadway shall not turn to the right in front of the bicycle at that intersection or at any alley or driveway until such vehicle has overtaken and is safely clear of the bicycle.” 

In very simple terms, a motorist MUST make sure that they do not make a right turn in front of a bicyclist. This is particularly crucial in urban areas such as Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood where there is a large amount of bicycle traffic. In fact, immediately west of the intersection of Fullerton and Halsted there is a marked bike lane and signage indicating the presence of bicycles and other signs providing bicyclists directions. 

Chicago Police Department's Major Accident Investigation Unit (MAIU)

Given that this was an accident that involves serious bodily injury or death, the Chicago Police Department policy is that the Major Accidents Investigation Unit are to conduct a full investigation. The driver of the tow truck was issued a traffic ticket at the scene, but there are no further details as to the exact charge for the citation. 

The traffic laws in place are to protect all users of the roadway, including bicyclists. This collision could most likely have been avoided by the driver of the truck simply checking the blind spot of the vehicle before turning across Fullerton where the bike lanes on Fullerton and Halsted intersect and bicycle traffic is frequent and well known. 

League of American Bicyclists Examines Census Data. The result? More Bike Lanes = More Bicycle Commuters

The American League of Bicyclists recently released the latest analysis of United States Census data regarding the cities that are cycling to work the most. The report, complied by Attorney Ken McLeod of the American League of Bicyclists, points to a nationwide increase in the number of Americans opting to bicycle to work rather than use motorized transportation.

Bicycle Infrastructure Is Leading To More Bicyclists

The root of the analysis underscores the following larger point: If you build it, they will come. Meaning, if you build the bike lanes, the cyclists will come to the streets. The League of American Bicyclists analysis is complied from the U.S. Census Bureau’s report and is based on data collected by the American Community Survey (ACS) from 2000 to 2014, gathered from a questionnaire sent to approximately 3.5 million addresses countrywide.

The ACS is conducted annually to provide one of the largest sources of information on bicycle commuting in the country. Here are the details of the Survey:

• The ACS is geared towards workers ages 16 years and older who work outside their home.
• The questionnaire asks what the respondent’s primary method of transportation was for the previous week’s work commute.
• For commuters relying on multiple transportation methods for their daily commute, only the method used for the longest distance of their commute will count.

Bicycle Ridership Continues To Rapidly Increase

Here is the most interesting fact to come from the ACS: The number of bicycle riders across America continues to soar. Nationwide, from 2000 to 2014, bicycle commuting has grown 62 percent. Raw data shows an increase from 488,000 people in the year 2000 to 904,463 people in the year 2014. Even though the overall share of workers commuting by bike remains relatively low – approximately 1.0% of the population –this drastic increase represents the single largest percentage increase of any transportation method in the country.

The increase in bicycle commuting is largely the result of many of the country’s most prominent cities investing heavily in non-motorized travel-based projects. In Chicago and many other municipalities in Illinois there has been a massive increase in the number of bike lanes including Chicago recently completing the 100th mile of marked bike lanes in the city limits. Many of these projects are critical improvements to the infrastructure that can greatly reduce the risk of a bicycle accident or simply provide easier access to bicycling. Examples of these infrastructure improvements are as follows:

• Sidewalk modifications;
• Protected bicycle lanes; and
• Bicycle sharing programs, such as Chicago’s popular Divvy program.

Bicycling In Chicago Is Growing

Each year Chicago continues to increase its percentage of bicycle commuters. In 2014, 1.7 percent of the cities population, which translates to about 21,362 people, used bicycles as their primary method of commuting. This is a vast increase from the 1.3 percent or 16,000 of Chicago workers reporting bicycling as their primary method of commuting from 2008 to 2012.

Finally, the report listed a few notable, nationwide trends among bicyclist commuters that make for interesting bicycle facts. For example:

• Men are twice as likely than women to ride to work;
• Large cities have the highest rate of bicycle commuters;
• Cities where bike commuting is growing the fastest have all begun investing in bike lanes within recent years;
• The top 10 cities with the highest share of bike commuters are mostly college towns; and
• The city with the highest percent of residents biking to work was Davis, California with bike lanes on 95% of its major streets.

An important final takeaway is that bikes are here to stay. Contrary to the assertions of many in the “anti-bike camp,” bicycling is not a fad and a bicycle is not a child's toy. A bicycle is a vehicle. Bicycling is an integral part of the transportation plan in any modern American city and Chicago and many other municipalities throughout Illinois are at the forefront of this movement.

Chicago, Illinois Bicycle Law Attorneys

As bicycle attorneys in Illinois, we are proud to have been a part of the collective effort to support and advocate for bicycling throughout Illinois. We remain steadfast in our commitment to fight for the rights of bicyclist and adhere to our mission of providing legal advice to any bicyclists injured in a bicycle accident anywhere in Illinois at anytime.

SOURCE: "WHERE WE RIDE: Analysis of bicycle commuting in American cities." Report on American Consumer Survey data by the League of American Bicyclists. 

Keating Law Offices is the premiere personal injury law firm representing victims of bicycle accidents in Illinois. The firm is based in Chicago, Illinois and represents clients throughout Illinois. If you have any questions regarding this post or have a question regarding personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney Mike Keating at 312-239-6787 (Office) or 312-208-7702 (Nights/Weekends). Our staff and operators are available around the clock. You can also email Mike@KeatingLegal.com 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All e-mails and phone calls are returned promptly. All initial consultations are confidential and free.

Chicago Bicycle Accident Victim Receives Settlement for Personal Injury Case

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices have obtained a substantial insurance settlement on behalf of a local student and restaurant employee for injuries he sustained when he was struck by a car at the intersection of North Racine Avenue and West School Street in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood.

Bicycle Crashes Frequently Lead To Injuries

The bicyclist was traveling eastbound on West School Street at the time of the crash, heading to his job as a bartender and waiter at a popular restaurant in the Lakeview neighborhood. The collision occurred when the driver attempted to accelerate northbound through the intersection of North Racine Avenue and West School Street and collided directly into the bicyclist’s entire right side.

The bicyclist was physically crushed due to the force of the impact. This collision knocked the bicyclist off of his bike and threw him to the ground. Before hitting the ground, the bicyclist instinctively put out hand and the impact broke his wrist. Due to the severity and speed of the crash caused by the driver, the bicyclist suffered what doctors refer to as an acute, comminuted intra-articular fracture of radius bone in the right wrist.

Chicago Bike Law Requires Drivers To Drive Carefully Near Bicyclists

Chicago's Municipal Code makes moves like the one by this driver illegal. Chicago generally requires all motorists to "exercise" due care around bicyclists. Here is the language of the ordinance regarding a driver's responsibility to "exercise due care":

9-40-160 Drivers to exercise due care.Every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian, or any person operating a bicycle or other device propelled by human or animal power, upon any roadway, and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary…

Chicago, Illinois Bike Law Attorneys

As a result of the attorneys at Keating Law Offices protecting the rights of bicyclists in Chicago and throughout Illinois, we were able to demonstrate to the insurance company for the at-fault driver that this was a significant claim. Ultimately, this insurance settlement compensated the injured bicyclist for all of his medical bills, lost wages from having to miss work, pain and suffering, and loss of a normal life from being unable to use his right wrist for a number of weeks. This out-of-court settlement allowed this claim to be resolved without lawsuit and still for the optimal outcome for the bicyclist.

Keating Law Offices is the premiere personal injury law firm representing victims of bicycle accidents in Illinois. The firm is based in Chicago, Illinois and represents clients throughout Illinois. If you have any questions regarding this post or have a question regarding personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney Mike Keating at 312-239-6787 (Office) or 312-208-7702 (Nights/Weekends). Our staff and operators are available around the clock. You can also email Mike@KeatingLegal.com 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All e-mails and phone calls are returned promptly. All initial consultations are confidential and free.

Slow Roll Chicago Founder Recognized by White House As a "Champion of Change"

Slow Roll Chicago Co-Founder Olatunji Oboi Reed will be recognized as a "Champion of Change" at an event at the White House. The work of Slow Roll Chicago will also be recognized by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Reed and Slow Roll Chicago co-founder Jamal Julien use Slow Roll Chicago as a way to use bicycling to show that the city is accessible and a way to reduce crime and revitalize neighborhoods.

Attorney Mike Keating stated the following about this accolade.

"I've had the good fortune to meet Olatunji and Jamal many times and am always struck by the sincerity of their commitment and passion. I look forward to working with them in the future in any way we can be of service. This is certainly a well deserved award for everyone at Slow Roll Chicago." 

To learn more about Slow Roll Chicago, visit their website at SlowRollChicago.org.

Active Transportation Alliance's "Bikeways for All Plan" Would Reduce Bicycle Crashes

The Active Transportation Alliance has issued a vision for bikeways in Chicago entitled "Bikeways for All." This plan for bicycling in Chicago is focused on increasing the number of bike routes available to citizens throughout Chicago. The plan also aims to increase the equitable and fair distribution of bikeways in the city to all parts of Chicago. Overall, the plan focuses on maintaining Chicago's rapid increase in bicycling by providing new bike routes that are "low stress" and comfortable for riders of all ability levels. "Low stress" includes bike routes that are consistent and reliable in providing safe routes throughout Chicago.

Active Transportation Alliance's Bikeways For All Plan

In the PDF detailing the plan, ActiveTrans summarizes "Bikeways for All":

"Bikeways for All proposes 180 miles of new low-stress biking routes that prioritize three types of facilities: Protected Bike Lanes, Neighborhood Greenways and Urban Trails. We envision 100 additional miles of these new Protected Bike Lanes and Neighborhood Greenways by 2020 as well as concrete progress on urban trail projects."

The Chicago Tribune also published an excellent article detailing the event and provides a solid summary of the Bikeways for All plan:

"The report urged the Emanuel administration to commit to building 100 miles of the 180 miles by 2020. The 100 miles would consist of physically protected bike lanes; marked bike lanes on low-traffic, low-speed residential streets that connect to stores, parks, schools and public transit; and off-street "urban trails'' along the lakefront, the Chicago River and abandoned rail lines patterned after The 606, which opened this year and runs through Bucktown, Wicker Park, Logan Square and Humboldt Park."

Bikeways For All Could Help Reduce Bicycle Crashes In Chicago

A direct result of a progressive, forward-thinking plan like "Bikeways or All" will also lead to fewer bicycle crashes in Chicago. As attorneys who focus our practice on representing victims of bicycle accidents, there are certain "common denominators" we see in most cases. Far and away, the failure of the driver to pay attention (keep a proper lookout) and congestion are two common factors in bicycle accidents. A bikeway of any kind serves to mitigate against the potential threat of these two factors.

First, a bikeway serves as a "warning" in the same way a stop sign does. When a driver sees clearly marked and delineated roadway markings for a bike lane and signs indicated the presence of bicyclists this serves as a "warning" to motorists to be aware that bicyclists could be present on the roadway. This awareness fights against the common refrain from motorists that the "bicyclist came out of nowhere." The bicyclist didn't come out of thin air, most likely the motorist simply did not appreciate that bicyclist would be on the roadway and their "surprise" is just from a lack of awareness.

Secondly, bikeways help reduce congestion by getting people out of their cars and onto bicycles. As noted in the report, since 2000 the number of trips by bicycle in Chicago has tripled. More trips on bikes means fewer trips by motorized vehicles. Bikeways also streamline bicycle traffic into prescribed patterns that are more efficient. The net result is that bicycles on bikeways are on a dedicated space where the bicyclist is most safe. Protected bike lanes, in particular, provide a clear area for bicyclists. But overall any type of bikeway will result in a bicyclist being more comfortable on their ride.

This latest plan by the Active Transportation Alliance is another example of the strong leadership this advocacy organization exhibits. We applaud Active Trans on its continued great work.

Chicago Bicycle Attorneys and Advocates

Keating Law Offices is the premiere personal injury law firm representing victims of bicycle accidents in Illinois. The firm is based in Chicago, Illinois and represents clients throughout Illinois. If you have any questions regarding this post or have a question regarding personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney Mike Keating at 312-239-6787 (Office) or 312-208-7702 (Nights/Weekends). Our staff and operators are available around the clock. You can also email Mike@KeatingLegal.com 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All e-mails and phone calls are returned promptly. All initial consultations are confidential and free.