Stanley Williams’ tragic death, Dec. 19, is an example of the alarming trend of unprovoked attacks on bicyclists commuting from Oak Park and other parts west to the Loop. It amplifies the need to prevent any future and unnecessary injury or death.
The Chicago Tribune reported Dec. 20 that Williams, who was commuting by bike to visit his ailing grandmother on Chicago’s West Side, died while in a coma after four teenagers assaulted him. Williams grew up in Oak Park and attended Oak Park & River Forest High School.
This type of unprovoked assault evidences an alarming trend and indeed an escalation of physical violence against cyclists.
In 2005, the Oak Park Cycle Club reported to the Village of Oak Park and its police department a number of attacks on Oak Park area cyclists who were commuting through the West Side:
*October 2004: An Oak Park resident was assaulted on his return from the Loop to Oak Park on Washington Boulevard near Pulaski by 4-5 teenage males. He was chased by the group and hit with several unknown items, one of which he believed to be rocks in a plastic bag.
*June 29, 2005: Two Oak Park female cyclists were assaulted on their way into the Loop area by a group of teenage males at or around 5043 W. Washington Blvd.
*September 2005: A rider on Washington near Pulaski on his morning commute into the Loop had a metal rod hurled at him from a young male on the street.
*Oct. 21, 2005: A cycle commuter and Oak Park resident returning from the Chicago Loop around 5 p.m. was assaulted on Augusta Boulevard and Central Park Avenue by a group of teenage males. He was hit over the head with a metal rod then pummeled about the face.
*Oct. 31, 2005: A group of cyclists on their return from the Loop area to Oak Park on Fulton between Sacramento and the Garfield Conservatory were “egged” by a group of males.
*Nov. 7, 2005: An Oak Park resident and cycle commuter was returning from the Loop to Oak Park via Washington Boulevard near Central when two young males ran into the street and tried to physically block his path and cause him to crash.
None of these incidents were fatal although some resulted in serious injury. Mr. Williams was not so lucky.
Any type of commuter, whether motorist or bicyclist, assumes some travel risk. However, this phenomenon toward bicyclists deserves the attention of law enforcement officers.
The City of Chicago, and particularly Mayor Daley, should be commended for the significant efforts that make Chicago a bicycle-friendly city. The same kudos to the Village of Oak Park. But these dangerous city streets represent a complex and troubling problem without a quick or easy solution.
While education and outreach is warranted, increased patrols along cycle commuting routes and active intervention by law enforcement to ward off future attacks is critical to the safety and security of bicyclists and ensures that Chicago and Oak Park’s initiatives can move forward.
Gail Moran
Member, Chicagoland Bicycle Federation Board of Directors