Over 200 Chicago Cyclists Participated in "World Car Free Day."
Chicago can do more to make the city's streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians, including lowering the speed limit on many Chicago side streets to reduce the number of bicycle accidents. That's according to hundreds of cyclists who recently took the streets of Chicago in celebration of World Car Free Day.
"The first thing you think about when you decide how to get where you're going shouldn't be safety," said Chicago cyclist and Chicago Bike Grid Now organizer Daniel Streicher in an interview with Block Club Chicago.
Making Chicago's streets safer for cyclists, pedestrians, and everyone who uses them should be a priority. As national leaders in the field of bicycle law and leading advocates for cyclists throughout Illinois, the Chicago bicycle accident lawyers at Keating Law Offices know far too well the dangers cyclists face daily in the city. Anything that can be done to reduce bicycle accidents should be actively explored. In addition, reckless drivers who hit pedestrians and cyclists need to be held accountable through the civil justice system.
Creating a "Bike Grid" in Chicago
One suggestion advocated by Streicher and other cyclists who attended the recent World Car Free Day celebration is creating a Chicago bike grid. The proposal calls for lowering the speed limits on 10 percent of Chicago's side streets to 10 mph. The streets with lower speed limits would be carefully selected and linked together to form a network of safe streets.
"What Chicago needs is a bike grid, not gridlock," says a Bike Grid Now news release. "The world is facing a climate crisis that requires drastic action."
The bike grid would also encourage more people to bike or walk than drive because they would not need to worry about heavy traffic or getting hit by a speeding car. "Lowering the number of trips people take in their car benefits everyone," Streicher said.
What Can Be Done To Make Chicago's Streets Safer for Cyclists?
Chicago, Bike Grid Now isn't the only organization working to reduce the number of bicycle accidents in the city. Many other groups have created proposals designed to make Chicago's streets safer for cyclists.
Earlier this year, Vision Zero Chicago partnered with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) to create a plan to eliminate bicycle accident fatalities and serious injuries. (The group's name refers to the goal of having zero traffic fatalities.)
Vision Zero Chicago and the CDOT plan to spend $20 million in government funding over the next several years to build more protected bike lanes in Chicago and educate residents about traffic safety, especially in terms of sharing the road with cyclists, according to WTTW News.
How a Chicago Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help
Bicycle accident claims can quickly turn into complicated legal cases. This is especially true if the at-fault driver denies doing anything wrong or tries to blame the victim for causing the collision, which is something that happens far too often when reckless drivers injure cyclists.
As cyclists, we know the dangers people face every day when riding in Chicago. Our law firm has a well-earned reputation in Chicago for successfully advocating for the rights of injured cyclists. When you have our legal team on your side, you can rest assured that we will fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
To learn more about your potential legal options and how a Chicago bicycle accident attorney from our law firm can help you, schedule a free consultation. We have two Chicago locations and can meet with you promptly to answer legal questions about your potential injury claim or lawsuit. For more information, contact us at 833-CALL-KLO.
