Cyclist Remembered. Remember to Cycle Safely

by Margo O’Hara
More than 100 family members, friends and the cycling community gathered on April 20th to remember Tyler Fabeck and increase awareness around cyclists’ safety.

Tyler was fatally struck by a car while riding his bicycle at the intersection of Logan Boulevard and Western Avenue on April 20, 2008, one week before his 23rd birthday. The memorial marked one year since his death.

The memorial began at Logan Boulevard and Campbell and then walked to the site of a ghost bike installed in Tyler’s honor at Logan Boulevard and Western Avenue.

“His missing frame will forever leave a hole wherever we stand, the echo of his laugh will linger in the air wherever we go,” the Fabeck family said.

Fewer than ten cyclists are killed each year in the city of Chicago. Many more are severely injured.

“Tyler’s death is unfair and tragic,” said Active Trans Executive Director Rob Sadowksy. “We must take action to make the streets safer for everyone – particularly pedestrians and cyclists who are the most vulnerable to crashes.”

Speeding, distracted driving, and street design can all contribute to crashes.

“There are steps that anyone can take to ensure cyclists’ safety: redesigning intersections, increased enforcement and safer driving can drastically improve our safety,” Sadowsky said.

The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. Formerly the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, the Active Transportation Alliance is North America’s largest transportation advocacy organization, supported by more than 6,000 members, 1,000 volunteers and 35 full-time staff. For more information on the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.