The Push for Safer Streets in North Park Is Long Overdue
The Chicago Department of Transportation’s proposed plan for protected bike lanes on Bryn Mawr Avenue is about more than traffic flow—it’s about saving lives. In the wake of the 2023 crash that killed a 59-year-old Northeastern Illinois University employee, the need for real protection for bicyclists in this corridor has become impossible to ignore.
The victim in that fatal 2023 bicycle crash had been riding home on Damen Avenue in a painted bike lane when he was struck and killed by an allegedly intoxicated driver. A physical barrier—like the one now proposed for Bryn Mawr—may have made a difference. As leading advocates for cyclist safety in Illinois, the bicycle accident attorneys at Keating Law Offices continue to push for infrastructure changes that protect vulnerable road users from precisely these kinds of tragedies.
What the Proposal Includes
The current plan would add protected bike lanes (PBLs) along a 1.5-mile stretch of Bryn Mawr Avenue, connecting the Sauganash / Valley Line Trail and the North Shore Channel Trail. The proposal calls for removing one curbside parking lane to make room for the physically separated bike lanes. CDOT has successfully implemented similar transformations along Milwaukee Avenue, Clark Street, and other high-traffic areas without negative effects on local commerce or emergency response.
Data presented at a recent public meeting makes the case for action. In the last five years, 186 crashes occurred along the project corridor—48 of those involved people walking or biking. More than 25% of drivers were clocked speeding over 30 mph. At higher speeds, fatal outcomes become exponentially more likely.
CDOT’s Complete Streets Director and Planning Manager emphasized that protected lanes don’t just shield bicyclists. They reduce crossing distances for pedestrians and calm motor vehicle traffic overall. These are changes designed to protect every road user, not just those on two wheels.
Community Concerns Must Not Override Public Safety
As with many safety-focused redesigns, the proposal has faced pushback from residents who fear a loss of street parking. One condo association representative expressed concern that eliminating one side of on-street parking would inconvenience households with multiple vehicles.
But legal advocates, city planners, and traffic safety professionals know what the evidence shows: prioritizing on-street car storage over human lives is not a defensible position. Concerns about access for first responders have also been raised, but as shown time and again, protected bike lanes pose no more of an obstacle to fire trucks and ambulances than parked cars do. This argument has been addressed—and debunked—across multiple Chicago neighborhoods and in other cities nationwide.
Keating Law Offices Continues to Push for Safer Infrastructure
Attorney Michael Keating and the dedicated legal team at Keating Law Offices have built their reputation fighting for injured cyclists and the families of those killed by negligent drivers. Our firm was instrumental in drafting and passing Dennis’s Law, which clarified that bicyclists in Illinois are entitled to the same rights as drivers under state traffic laws.
Keating Law Offices supports protected bike lane proposals like the one on Bryn Mawr because they are based on data, not guesswork. Streets that separate bikes from fast-moving vehicles reduce serious injuries and deaths. As longtime legal advocates for cyclists in Chicago, our attorneys at Keating Law Offices have seen the consequences of inaction up close, and we know exactly what’s at stake.
The Fight for Safer Streets Isn’t Just About Infrastructure—It’s About Accountability
When a driver chooses to speed, look at a phone, or ignore a bike lane, that is a legal violation, not just a mistake. And when that choice leads to a serious injury or wrongful death, the consequences must be addressed in court. Keating Law Offices represents individuals and families who have experienced devastating losses, holding negligent drivers accountable and pursuing the maximum compensation allowed under Illinois law.
Protected bike lanes are part of the solution, but they are not a shield against all harm. When tragedy strikes, legal action may be the only path to justice. CDOT’s proposal is a step in the right direction—but it’s only one part of a broader effort to make Chicago streets safer, more equitable, and legally accountable.
Legal Help for Injured Cyclists and Families After a Fatal Crash
At Keating Law Offices, our award-winning lawyers represent injured bicyclists and the families of those killed in collisions throughout Chicago and across Illinois. With offices in the Loop and West Town, and a deep connection to Chicago’s cycling community, our law firm is uniquely positioned to investigate crashes, identify every source of liability, and fight for meaningful justice in and out of court.
If you or someone you love was injured or killed in a bicycle crash, you don’t have to face the legal system alone. Call 833-CALL-KLO or contact us online to speak with a Chicago bicycle accident attorney today.
"I can’t express how grateful I am to Keating Law. After I was car-doored by a delivery truck while riding my bike on Milwaukee, the Keating team made sure I got what I needed to be able to pay my medical bills. Their professionalism, attentiveness, and genuine kindness built my confidence in them from the start. As a teacher, my schedule is pretty strict and structured around the school year. Keating worked around my schedule to ensure I could be as involved as possible. I cannot recommend them enough!!" — Sarah B., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
