Evanston police say a bicycle rider has died after colliding with a CTA bus.
Police say the accident happened at about 10:13 a.m. Monday in the 1200 block of Dodge Avenue between Crain and Dempster Streets.
Police Cmdr. Jay Parrott says the bus and bike were both traveling northbound when, according to a witness account, the bicycle veered out of the designated bike lane and collided with the right side of the bus.
The cyclist, Lane Swanson, 81, of Evanston, was conscious at the scene of the crash and was transported by Evanston Fire paramedics to St. Francis Hospital, but later died of accident-related injuries.
Parrott says that, based on the results of the police investigation, no citations were issued to the bus driver.
Better bike lane design needed
I always wonder why Evanston doesn't swap the bike lanes with the parking lanes on wide streets like Dodge. This is the norm in Europe and Chicago and New York are starting to convert their bike lanes this way in the interests of safety. If you put the bike lane next to the parkway and the parking between the bike lane and traffic it makes it less likely for bikes and cars/buses to come into conflict and it also lessens the possibility of a cyclist being "doored" by a driver leaving a parked car. There is a reason why cities do this–it makes it more safe for everyone. And it doesn't even cost any more money. You just lay down the paint in a different way. RIP Mr. Swanson
We need protected bike lanes
So sad to hear of the death of yet another bicyclist. Those bike lanes are sometimes more dangerous to riders than if there were no lanes. If you ride your bike on Dodge along the parked cars and some one opens a door you have no place to go but into unsuspecting traffic. We need real, protected bike lanes! Plus it doesn't help that the CTA buses chase each other on Dodge. I saw two 93s race each other this afternoon.
Very sad. I’ve biked that
Very sad. I've biked that route and now avoid it due to heavy traffic. The potholes and rough surface don't help, either. I had to move out of the bike lane to avoid them.
Bus drivers need driving classes
Bus drivers need to change because they are not very good drivers.
I often see how they almost go onto cars and they don't respect people's space.
The city gives them space to go to the side to stop for people and they take the street to stop and pick up people — not safe at all.
They should be taking driving classes asap. Plus they have better view and should be looking around them for pedestrians.
Bikes and Cell Phones/Texting Don’t Mix
Chicago is considering a ban on cell phones and texting while biking. There would be a $20 to $500 fine.
Evanston City Council, are you listening ? Long overdue.
What does cell phones have to do with it?
The article says nothing about the cyclist using a phone so I am not sure what this proposal has to do with this article. Furthermore, why would we need a law prohibiting biking and texting? I can see why we have one for cars since cars are inherently dangerous. If a cyclist is distracted, it is highly unlikely that they will hurt anyone other than themselves, so it doesn't seem like an issue for the government to get involved in, frankly.
The City has an Ordinance
The City has an Ordinance that would likely cover this. An amendment specifically adding cell phones, texting, etc. might help.
Ord. 10-9-4 Sec. (H)- No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the use of both hands upon the handlebars or obstructs the operator's vision.
By the way the fine for this can range anywhere between $10 and $500. This is significantly higher than the proposed $25 fine for possession of an illegal drug.