Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Bike Fatalities

Fallen Cyclists Blaine Klingenberg and Lisa Kuivinen Honored This Weekend

By John Greenfield | Sep 1, 2016 | No Comments

This weekend’s Cuttin Crew Classic racing series will be held in honor of fallen courier Blaine “Beezy” Klingenberg, 29, fatally struck by a double-decker tour bus driver at Oak and Michigan on June 15. And this Saturday there will be a group ride from the finish line to Milwaukee and Racine, where a Ghost Bike […]

Cyclist Francisco Cruz Remembered as a Good Samaritan, Driver Still at Large

By John Greenfield | Aug 19, 2016 | 7 Comments

Family and friends are remembering Francisco “Frank” Cruz, fatally struck on his bike by a hit-and-run van driver in West Garfield Park Wednesday night, as someone who went out of his way to help others. Meanwhile, police have yet to apprehend the motorist, despite the fact that the van bore the name and phone number […]

Alderman Burnett Weighs In on Kuivinen Case, Cyclists Honor Fallen Rider

By John Greenfield and Steven Vance | Aug 17, 2016 | 19 Comments

The case of Lisa Kuivinen, a 20-year-old art student who was fatally struck by an 18-wheel flatbed truck driver while cycling on Milwaukee Avenue yesterday morning, has moved many Chicagoans, from everyday bike riders to city officials. Around 8:15 a.m. Kuivinen, a Rolling Meadows native who studied animation at the School of the Art Institute […]

Lisa Kuivinen, 20, Struck and Killed While Biking on Milwaukee Avenue

By John Greenfield | Aug 16, 2016 | 27 Comments

We have been notified that Lisa Kuivinen identified as non-binary and preferred gender-neutral pronouns. The post has been edited accordingly. Lisa Kuivinen, a 20-year-old art student, was fatally struck by the driver of an 18-wheel flatbed truck this morning while cycling on Milwaukee Avenue in West Town. At about 8:15 a.m. Lisa was riding on […]

Fallen Courier Blaine Klingenberg’s Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit

By John Greenfield | Aug 3, 2016 | 1 Comment

[This article was produced in partnership with the Chicago Reader.] Yesterday afternoon a wrongful death lawsuit was filed on behalf of the father of fallen bike courier Blaine Klingenberg, who was fatally struck by the driver of a double-decker tour bus at Michigan and Oak during the evening rush on June 15. The suit names […]

Lawyer for Ginny Murray’s Family: Bike Lanes Might Have Made a Difference

By John Greenfield | Aug 1, 2016 | 24 Comments

This morning the parents of fallen cyclist Virginia “Ginny” Murray, fatally struck by a flatbed truck driver on July 1, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver and his company, A&B Flooring Supplies. The family’s attorney says safer bike infrastructure could have helped prevent the crash. Murray, 25, is believed to be the first person […]

Eyes on the Street: Vigil at the Avondale Corner Where Virginia Murray Died

By Steven Vance | Jul 11, 2016 | 1 Comment

Motorists drove carefully around the large crowd of supporters that had gathered and spilled into the roadway last night at the corner of Belmont and Sacramento, where Virginia Murray was fatally struck while riding a bicycle on July 1. Over 40 people had come for a vigil for Murray, and to watch the installation of a ghost […]

Public Invited to Sunday’s “Ghost Bike” Ceremony Honoring Virginia Murray

By John Greenfield | Jul 6, 2016 | No Comments

Safe streets advocates are inviting the public to the installation of a white-painted “ghost bike” memorial as a tribute to Virginia Murray, who was fatally struck by a truck driver while cycling last Friday. The installation will take place this Sunday, July 10, at 7 p.m. at the crash site at Belmont venue and Sacramento […]

Eyes on the Street: RYB Fest — A Memorial Ride for Blaine Klingenberg

By John Greenfield | Jul 2, 2016 | No Comments

About 200 people on bikes filled the streets of Chicago today to honor fallen bike courier Blaine “Beezy” Klingenberg during RYB Fest. The bike ride and barbecue was described by organizers as “a day of remembrance and celebration, and to remind all that bicyclists should also be viewed as equals when riding on the road.” […]

Police Blamed Courier for Fatal Crash; Witnesses Say Bus Driver Ran Stoplight

By John Greenfield | Jun 28, 2016 | 33 Comments

[Last year the Chicago Reader launched a weekly transportation column written by Streetsblog Chicago editor John Greenfield. This partnership allows Streetsblog to extend the reach of our livable streets advocacy. We syndicate a portion of the column after it comes out online; you can read the remainder on the Reader’s website or in print. The paper hits the […]

An Epidemic of Bike Crashes; Bad Trail Design May Have Caused One of Them

By John Greenfield | Jun 24, 2016 | 7 Comments

It’s been an awful two weeks for bike collisions in northeast Illinois. On Tuesday of last week, a 29-year-old woman was struck and injured on her bicycle at Jackson and Homan, by a police officer who witnesses say ran a red light without using lights or sirens. That Wednesday bike courier Blaine Klingenberg was fatally […]

Reckless Homicide Charge Has Been Reinstated in the Bobby Cann Case

By John Greenfield | Apr 7, 2016 | 1 Comment

There’s been some good news in the case against the driver who killed cyclist Bobby Cann while allegedly drunk and speeding. The Cook County state’s attorney’s office announced today that they won an appeal to have the reckless homicide charge against motorist Ryne San Hamel reinstated. The charge had previously been dismissed by Judge William […]

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