As the community mourns the tragic death of a 50-year-old Aurora cyclist killed after being stuck by an Evanston motorist, the Bicycle Accident Attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. are reminded, yet again, of the inherent dangers of cycling in Chicago and its surrounding communities. The accident occurred on June 27, 2013 in the Kane County community of Batavia. Due to the lack of bike lanes along this stretch of roadway, bicyclists are both forced to and also legally permitted to, ride in the same lanes as traveling motorists.
According to eyewitnesses, as bicycling accident victim Richard White propelled his bicycle along Nelson Lake Road, a scenic two-lane road in Batavia Township, the rear wheel of his bicycle was allegedly struck by a vehicle being operated by 26-year-old MaMaxima Corazano Cordin Ty, who was traveling directly behind White’s bicycle. As the investigation continues, questions remain as to why this motorist continued to travel in the same pathway along the roadway, as other motorists safely passed the bicyclist in accordance with traffic laws.
As the community mourns the tragic death of a 50-year-old Aurora cyclist killed after being stuck by an Evanston motorist, the Bicycle Accident Attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. are reminded, yet again, of the inherent dangers of cycling in Chicago and its surrounding communities. The accident occurred on June 27, 2013 in the Kane County community of Batavia. Due to the lack of bike lanes along this stretch of roadway, bicyclists are both forced to and also legally permitted to, ride in the same lanes as traveling motorists.
According to eyewitnesses, as bicycling accident victim Richard White propelled his bicycle along Nelson Lake Road, a scenic two-lane road in Batavia Township, the rear wheel of his bicycle was allegedly struck by a vehicle being operated by 26-year-old MaMaxima Corazano Cordin Ty, who was traveling directly behind White’s bicycle. As the investigation continues, questions remain as to why this motorist continued to travel in the same pathway along the roadway, as other motorists safely passed the bicyclist in accordance with traffic laws.
Although there are many bike lanes in place throughout the city, the current infrastructure does not allow for most bicyclists to travel solely along such routes. What many motorists commonly overlook is the general notion that bicyclists have the same rights and duties as those operating a motor vehicle. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code, Chapter 11, Rules of the Road, Article XV, Bicyclists,
“Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles. Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this Code, except as to special regulations in this Article XV and except as to those provisions of this Code which by their nature can have no application.”
While some may be frustrated by the presence of a cyclist traveling in the same lane, the fact is that these bicyclists generally have a right to ride within traffic lanes in locations where no bike lanes exists. However, they must also do so in accordance with traffic laws. The Chicago Bicycle Accident Attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C., are sympathetic for the loved ones who are grieving the tragic death of Richard White, and therefore support the ongoing investigation, which could potentially reveal another preventable distracted driving incident.