On Monday, the Chicago City Council was presented with an ordinance that proposes banning texting while bicycling.  Under the proposed ordinance, bicyclists witnessed texting could be issued tickets by Chicago police.

In addition, the ordinance proposes to ban bicyclists from using phones without a hands-free device while in motion.  Drivers in Chicago were banned from using cell phones without hands-free devices six years ago.  Shortly after, drivers were also banned from texting while driving.

Last year, more than 1,600 bicycle accidents occurred in Chicago.  Sources say that Mayor Rahm Emanuel supports the ordinance.   

Contact the Chicago bicycle injury attorneys of Friedman & Bonebrake, P.C. at 312-466-8200 today, if you or someone you love has been the victim of a bicycle accident. 

Early yesterday morning, a bicyclist was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Pilsen.  Police arrested a suspect who they believe may have been drunk driving when he hit the bicyclist.  

The bicyclist, 30, was struck by a vehicle while riding his bike along the 1100 block of west 18th Street.  The accident occurred at around 12:50 a.m.  The driver that struck the bicyclist did not stop to help.

The bicyclist was taken to Stroger Hospital where he later passed away.  At Halsted and 14th Street, police found a vehicle that matched the description of the vehicle involved in the fatal bicycle accident and arrested a suspect nearby.  

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim's family and friends. 

Governor Pat Quinn recently ordered a change to the Illinois Department of Transportation's policy which excluded "dooring" accidents from being required to be reported and included in the department's annual statistics.

Dooring accidents occur when a door on a parked vehicle is opened into the path of a bicyclist.  Bicyclists are frequently injured in dooring accidents, especially in busy cities like Chicago.  

The change requires all police departments in Illinois to report dooring accidents on state crash forms.  "Anyone who rides a bike can tell you that dooring is a serious issue.  One of the best ways we can increase public safety is by making sure we've got the best and most comprehensive data possible.  That's why we've made this change," said Quinn.

If you or someone you love has been injured while riding a bicycle as a result of someone else's negligence or wrongdoing, contact the Chicago bicycle injury attorneys of Friedman & Bonebrake, P.C. at 312-466-8200 to learn more about your rights on the road.