Overview
- A driver opened a car door into the painted bike lane on Halsted near 32nd Street on Friday, June 5, causing CDOT Complete Streets staffer Riley O’Neil to fall into traffic where he was struck by a southbound semi and later died at Stroger Hospital.
- Chicago police issued four citations to the driver, including unsafe opening or closing of a door and parking violations, and said the investigation into the crash remains open.
- Hundreds of cyclists and community members held a memorial ride, vigil and die-in at Palmisano Park and along Halsted to honor O’Neil and press city leaders for quicker safety work.
- Advocates urged the city to convert painted lanes into curbside, physically protected bike lanes or move bike lanes between the curb and parked cars to eliminate the 'door zone' that makes riders vulnerable.
- A separate non‑fatal dooring on Halsted near the memorial the same evening highlighted ongoing risks for cyclists and increased pressure on officials to speed design changes and safety projects.