Bicyclist killed in North Side crash

The crash that killed bicyclist Matthew Mager, 29, of the 1400 block of West Lill Avenue, happened in the 4000 block of North Lincoln Avenue around 9:15 a.m. Sunday.

[Susan Noel]

The young man killed, Matthew Manger-Lynch, grew up in Milwaukee. Even if he had dropped the second half of his hyphenated name, it would be appropriate to have the first half spelled correctly -- Manger.

[just southern]

I feel sorry for this young mans relatives, this did not have to happen, way to many times I have seen people trying to cut trough trafic on bikes in a dangerous manner. Just Friday at the corner of Algonquin and Wilke in Rolling Meadows I watched a bicyclist wait until he had a light then cross on the wrong side of the street(facing traffic) And not one car would yield to him, yet he had no place to go until he came to a spot where he could cross the snow-banks. Just sad.

[655 Sunday Night]

Susan Noel wrote:

The young man killed, Matthew Manger-Lynch, grew up in Milwaukee. Even if he had dropped the second half of his hyphenated name, it would be appropriate to have the first half spelled correctly -- Manger.

I take it you knew him...maybe not too personally. But please accept my condolences, nonetheless.

Life can be cruel, and G-d willing I have never lost anyone close to me when it wasn't "expected". I have to imagine it's somewhat easier when you know the ultimate outcome and have a chance to say goodbye. I certainly feel for this young man's loved ones.

G-d speed, G-d bless Manger Family.
RIP Matthew.

[Calvin]

I never understood the phenomena of 40 bicyclists going through an intersection as a group and continuing through as the lights turn red. This should be illegal as a vehicle with a green light may not expect it.

[kim]

This is what happens when bikes think they should be treated like pedestrians. If you are ON the ROAD, you HAVE to OBEY TRAFFIC SIGNALS.

I think it's a total disregard of road safety when those bike groups encourage blowing off street signals. You are not above the law.

[ejhickey]

I am very sorry that this young man was killed in the prime of his life. When driving I always try to take care to give cyclists extra space because of the great disparity between a car and a bicycle and the consequences if there is contact between the two. However far too often I see cyclists blatantly ignore the rules of the road and basic safety precautions. I am talking about running red lights , stop signs, making unexpected turns in front of my vehicle and generally acting as if they are the only ones on the road. Particularly dangerous is the practice of cycling at night while wearing dark clothing and no or minimal illumination. Too many cyclists exhibit an air of arrogant invincibility and act as if car drivers should have a sixth sense in order to avoid them as they as they dart in and out of traffic. The article hints the deceased ignored some traffic regulations. I hope this was not the cause of the accident. As for other cyclists, please try to see things from the driver's perspective and stop acting as if you are the center of the universe. Remember you are cycling and not carrying out US foreign policy at the request of President Bush.

[Keith]

Bicyclist rarley obey the traffic signals or stop signs, an ride in the road blocking traffic instead of staying on the right hand side of the road, so maybe the other 39 riders will learn from this.

[cosmo kramer]

Calvin wrote:

I never understood the phenomena of 40 bicyclists going through an intersection as a group and continuing through as the lights turn red. This should be illegal as a vehicle with a green light may not expect it.

it is illegal, but the SUV should have let the last biker pass nonetheless. SUV vs bicycle never has a happy ending.

[cpfoutz]

I'm a bicyclist and am completely appalled by the way cars treat cyclists...but even worse is the cyclists who ignore traffic signals and fly through lights...this was inevitable...I hope other cyclists are paying attention.

[Biker]

Calvin wrote:

I never understood the phenomena of 40 bicyclists going through an intersection as a group and continuing through as the lights turn red. This should be illegal as a vehicle with a green light may not expect it.

It is illegal.

[Bob]

Please, let's not make this another "cyclists against automobiles" or "cars against bikes" flame-fest.

A young man lost his life; he had a family and friends who cared about him. Regardless of the circumstances, this is an incredibly sad situation.

My deepest condolences to all effected by this occurrence.

[Chicago Mom]

cpfoutz wrote:

I'm a bicyclist and am completely appalled by the way cars treat cyclists...but even worse is the cyclists who ignore traffic signals and fly through lights...this was inevitable...I hope other cyclists are paying attention.

This morning we witnessed the entire accident. My family and I have been so sad the entire day. We learned a short while ago of this cyclists demise and hope that all cyclists pay close attention. The rider clearly had a red light and the SUV would not have been able to stop. We are very saddened by the whole event. We send our condolences to the family and friends.

[Steve]

Keith wrote:

Bicyclist rarley obey the traffic signals or stop signs, an ride in the road blocking traffic instead of staying on the right hand side of the road, so maybe the other 39 riders will learn from this.

Yeah, I guess that car really showed them. That'll teach those durn bicyclists. Do you have an even an ounce of compassion for the death of a young man with his whole life in front of him? A

[Brett]

Wow. It really appears as if everybody favors cars over bikes in this little comment section. First off, people shouldn't be driving as abundantly as they do. Secondly, if your behind the wheel of a 3500 pound suburban sitting eight feet in the air towering above the rest of the world, try to keep your eyes peeled. I'm by no means placing the blame on the driver of the substantially large vehicle. As being somebody that has been hit by a car before (the drivers fault), I'm merely suggesting people ought to assume better responsibility for the vehicle their operating and people shouldn't be making ignorant comments about how they hate bikers. It's time to grow up.

[ABQ]

As a friend of Matthews who is out of state and looking for information I am touched by the words of heartfelt empathy. Matthew was a smart young man who had found his passions in life and enjoyed many good times. He leaves behind a young wife, many friends and a devastated family.
The soap box comments about cyclists seems inappropriate at such an emotional time but I guess if you don't know the person who died it doesn't matter.
The hyphenated name has to do with parents who loved each other and their children enough to honor both families. Open your mind...

[Michael Kiefer]

Mathew was a dear friend of ours. He was a smart and talented young man with terrific, caring parents, a wonderful wife and a great future ahead of him. He had so much to offer. What a tragedy for all who loved him.

[Pete]

Brett's comments are off base. Whether people should drive less has nothing to do with this accident and certainly doesn't justify running red lights to make a point. Secondly, if you're driving a semi, a Suburban, a Prius, or a Cannondale, the same rules of the road apply to everyone. There are many bikers who obey the rules of the road. There are many who ignore some rules - such as going through stop signs when there is no cross traffic - when there doesn't appear to be any consequence. And there are some bikers who deliberately ignore the rules. In recent years, large groups of bikers have gone out with a "take back the streets" attitude and deliberately run lights, ignore right-of-way when other traffic is present, and ignore pedestrians who have the right of way over everyone. As someone who almost hit a bunch of idiots doing just that at midnight at Lincoln/Halsted/Fullerton, all of them wearing dark clothing and yelling and screaming as they were deliberately running the red light, I've experienced this idiocy first hand. I am very sorry that this young man was killed, but the decisions he and his group made are the culprit.

[RogersPark Bill]

I'm amazed that more light-running, stop sign-ignoring, wrong way street riding cyclists aren't killed. The rules of the road are the same for everyone. You stop for red lights and stop signs, and you don't go down one way streets the wrong direction.
We ehar cyclist constantly complaining about automobile drivers, but most of the issues I see are with the cyclists flagrantly breaking the law.

[Amanda Lawton]

My heart is breaking for Matt's wife and family, and for all of us who were honored to have known him. He was an honorable and devoted young man who loved life and spread joy to all those around him.

I will miss you!!!

[Hillside IL]

It is very said that this person lost his life. With the price of gas more people seem to be riding bikes some of these drivers do not follow any traffic rules.