The Chainlink

Saturday night round 11pm my friend was riding north on damen. He stopped at the top of the overpass at 290 to wait for the lights to change so he wouldn't have to stop at those lights. Out of the shadows somebody ran at him and knocked him off his bike. This caused him to break his clavicle. By the time he hit the ground another person was on top of him taking his bag and bike. They tried to get into his pockets but he started kicking then and traffic had caught up by then and they were honking and stopped these aholes from getting anything else. The cops came and he said that they were very helpfull. He got an abulance to county and was out after a long wait with only the broken clavicle. They eneded up finding his bike at a nearby bar. This majorly sucks for him since he has no insurance. I know that some of you have had simular experiences and I have heard about the victum insurence that would help pay his hospital bills. I would appreciate any info that I could pass on to him about this.

 

Keep it safe out there and keep your eyes open.

Views: 493

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Thanks
I used this once as well for hospital bills incurred as a result of an assault/robbery. $1200, the full total, was paid. I was unemployed at the time.

Good luck & glad to hear the bike was recovered. (What bar?)

y a j said:
I used the Illinois Crime Victim Compensation deal last summer after my attack. They paid for everything, except the X-rays. (I'm still dealing with the paperwork for that) But The hospital bill was paid in full.

I was unemployed at the time, and it helped a great deal.

It really makes me angry that these attacks on cyclist occur. I hope your friend is OK and that their broken bone heals up soon.

We are heading in to the time of year where bikers are targets. We all need to be watchful.
Wait...did this happen at Damen and Madison or at Damen and the Eisenhower?
Good question.

Davo, 290/the Eisenhower is between Van Buren and Congress. Damen and Madison is 4 blocks north of Congress.

Michael Perz said:
Wait...did this happen at Damen and Madison or at Damen and the Eisenhower?
Its My understanding that he waited at the top of the Eisenhower so he could catch all the lights on his way down. (Who would want to be stopped in that area at that time). I guess the attack happend closer to Madison. I guess its kind of a gamble, either you haul ass through that area leaving the security of trafic behind or you ride with traffic hopping that you don't get pushed into it.

He just started going through the app process. Thanks for all your help. Be carefull out there.

Michael Perz said:
Wait...did this happen at Damen and Madison or at Damen and the Eisenhower?
I think I get it now. Your original post made it seem as though it happened on the bridge crossing the expressway which is four blocks south of Madison. I only ask because I frequent this route and appreciate knowing of any recent trouble.

I hope your friend enjoys a speedy recovery.

Davo said:
Its My understanding that he waited at the top of the Eisenhower so he could catch all the lights on his way down. (Who would want to be stopped in that area at that time). I guess the attack happend closer to Madison. I guess its kind of a gamble, either you haul ass through that area leaving the security of trafic behind or you ride with traffic hopping that you don't get pushed into it.

He just started going through the app process. Thanks for all your help. Be carefull out there.

Michael Perz said:
Wait...did this happen at Damen and Madison or at Damen and the Eisenhower?
We all know what they looked like, sounded like and acted like. Someone is gonna snap back sooner or later and I hope whoever pays for it is the one who actually has it coming and not some poor sucker who just happens to be hooked up with the wrong group of jerks on random chance.

Brian Wolber said:
Any idea what the attackers looked like?
Michael:
Hopefully your not on this route at that late of night. What would you do; speed up to catch all the lights or stay with traffic? Obviously the best solution would be to ride with a friend if going through that area.

I guess my friend has to get surgery yet.
Thanks, I was also wondering this but I didn't want to pile on.
I ride close to this area all the time and find it extremely important to find out exactly where these things occur.
An alternative would be Oakley or Leavitt or Wood or Paulina-- I hate riding that stretch of Damen because it's too wide by the expressway and cars are too fast and crazy, then it narrows to two narrow lanes by the United Center sort of forcing harrassment situations. Too bad we didn't have anyone on our side when that stretch was redone in the early 90s-- it was actually pretty ideal before.

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:
Good question.

Davo, 290/the Eisenhower is between Van Buren and Congress. Damen and Madison is 4 blocks north of Congress.

Michael Perz said:
Wait...did this happen at Damen and Madison or at Damen and the Eisenhower?
I use that corridor mainly at night because it tends to be smooth, fairly well lit and clear of traffic. I ride very cautiously and attentively; especially so near the two intersections you mentioned. The ramp to the Eisenhower seems like it would provide an easy getaway for thugs via car, so I always scan the area and try to time the light at Van Buren as accurately as possible. Also, the intersection featuring the liquor store is worth a more spirited than usual sprint.

Davo said:
Michael:
Hopefully your not on this route at that late of night. What would you do; speed up to catch all the lights or stay with traffic? Obviously the best solution would be to ride with a friend if going through that area.

I guess my friend has to get surgery yet.

RSS

© 2008-2016   The Chainlink Community, L.L.C.   Powered by

Disclaimer  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service