With close to 300 miles of bike lanes and bike-share services like Divvy providing inexpensive rental bikes to riders, Chicago has become a haven for cyclists. Add to that the fact that cyclists can quickly get around the city without paying expensive parking fees, and it’s clear why the number of cyclists in the city has exploded yearly.
Unfortunately, the number of cycling-related accidents has also increased significantly. The Chicago Tribune recently reported three Chicago bike crash fatalities in the last year alone. Here, we’ll discuss one of the busiest and most dangerous lane for biking in Chicago, why it’s so dangerous, and how you can stay safe while riding in the Windy City.
What Is the Busiest Lane for Biking in Chicago?
Milwaukee Avenue is a major street in Chicago that runs north-south, from the Chicago River in the Near North Side community to the city limits at Devon Avenue in the West Ridge community. Milwaukee Avenue has the city’s busiest bike lane and one of the most dangerous, with 50 reported crashes and three fatalities since 2020.
Why Is Milwaukee Avenue’s Bike Lane So Dangerous?
As any Chicagoan would tell you, construction projects and city betterment initiatives are often controlled by the city’s 50 alderpersons. Instead of having a uniform system for all bike lanes, cyclists must navigate a patchwork of solutions. On a single street, a bike lane might have concrete barriers, plastic dividers, or little more than a striped line painted on the roadway for protection.
How To Stay Safe While Biking in Chicago
Bicycle accidents can range in severity from minor scrapes and bruises to severe or fatal injuries. The severity of a bike accident may depend on factors such as:
- The bicycle’s speed
- The speed of other vehicles involved
- The road surface
- The protective gear the rider was wearing
It’s crucial that cyclists understand the dangers of riding a bike in Chicago. If possible, familiarize yourself with your route ahead of time to be aware of traffic patterns and any hazards you might encounter. It also helps to be mindful of dangerous intersections and roads, including Milwaukee Avenue.
Along with following bike safety tips, having the right gear is also crucial. You should always wear proper protective equipment while cycling. This includes a certified bike helmet, elbow and knee guards, and an impact shirt, if possible. High-visibility clothing, reflectors, and signal lights can also significantly reduce your chances of being in an accident.
Were you injured In a Bike Accident? Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard Can Help
If you’ve been injured in a bike accident caused by someone else’s carelessness, hire an experienced injury lawyer to represent you. For 40 years, Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., has been fighting for fair compensation for those injured in bike accidents. We’ve recovered more than $2 billion in verdicts and settlements for our deserving clients, including the largest personal injury compensatory verdict award in Illinois history. We are committed to cycling safety in Chicago and are here to help you if someone’s negligence caused your bike accident. Contact us today for a free case review.
