Thirty-One Year Old Chicago Bicyclist Killed By CTA Train

Thirty one year old Ronayne Thomas was killed just after midnight this morning when he was hit by a CTA Brown Line train as he was riding his bicycle across the tracks in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood.  All of us at Freeman Kevenides Law are especially saddened by the news.  Ronayne had been our client.  I knew him for several years.  He was a good guy and a passionate and experienced city cyclist who rode his bike just about everywhere.  We wish to express our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

Ronayne was pronounced dead at the scene near the Kimball Brown line station in the 4700 block of North Kedzie Avenue at around 12:30 a.m., according to ABC 7 Chicago.  He was struck by a an approaching northbound train as he rode across the tracks.

Lawsuit Filed Against CTA, Bus Driver For Causing Crash With Chicago Bicyclist

A lawsuit recently filed against the Chicago Transit Authority alleges that one of its bus drivers ran a red light at the intersection of West Lawrence Avenue and West Central Avenue and struck a woman on a bicycle. Our law firm filed the suit on the cyclist's behalf on February 18th.

The crash occurred at around 1:30 p.m. on October 5, 2013.  The 22 year old woman was attempting a left turn from Central onto Lawrence when the northbound bus struck her.  The heavy impact caused her head to strike and break the bus windshield.  She was taken from the scene via ambulance to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.  There she was kept overnight and treated for injuries to her head and pelvis.

An off duty Chicago police officer happened to witness the incident.  He said that the southbound cyclist was stopped in the intersection waiting for northbound traffic to clear so she could make a left turn.  The Illinois Vehicle Code permits bicyclists to execute left turns in this way, just like a motor vehicle driver.  The light controlling northbound traffic turned red, and the bicyclist began her turn.  As she turned, the bus driver ran the light and crashed into the cyclist's right side.  A video taken from inside the bus demonstrates that the bus did not stop as it came into the intersection.  The off duty officer, who had been stopped at the traffic light facing west on Lawrence, stopped the bus driver who seemed, he said, that she was prepared to leave the scene.  He also came to the aid of the injured cyclist.  The driver was ticketed by police at the scene for failing to obey a traffic control device.

Chicago Bicyclist Struck By CTA Brown Line Train

On Tuesday evening, February 16, a bicyclist was struck by a CTA Brown Line train near the Rockwell Street station on the North Side of Chicago. The station is at ground level. The Chicago Breaking News Center reported that, according to a Fire Department spokesman, "The man was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center but did not appear to suffer any life-threatening injuries." The injured bicyclist, whose first name is Jimmy, was conscious when an ambulance arrived.

Video Shows Buses and Bicycles How To Share The Road

Below is an excellent video created via a partnership between the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and the Chicago Department of Transportation about buses and bicyclists sharing the road. The video was made for bus operators and bicyclists to highlight safety issues and offer practical guidance on how to avoid accidents. Along with the recently created bicycling video created by the Chicago Police Department, the CTA video should be required viewing for all city motorists and bicyclists. It is also important viewing for attorneys representing bicyclists in as much as it evidences what the CTA considers the standard of care to be for its bus operators when dealing with cyclists on the roadway.

Share the Road - Buses and Bicycles from Chicago Bicycle Program on Vimeo.