A bicyclist alleged injured at a city bike docking station is suing the city and its department of transportation.
Christopher Cole filed a complaint on June 1 in Cook County Circuit Court against the city of Chicago, the Chicago Department of Transportation; Alta Bicycle Share Inc., Motivate International Inc. and Motivate.
On June 18, 2014, Cole returned a bicycle to the city-owned and -operated DIVVY bicycle station at Ravenswood and Berteau avenues. When leaving the station, the lawsuit states, he tripped on a 4- or 5-foot-high traffic barrier or "wheel stop" that was right next to the station, installed by the department of transportation.
The defendants are cited for negligence for failing to maintain its property in a safe condition and take corrective action after learning the stop was unsafe, as well as installing the wheel stop on the street near the docking station, which created a safety hazard.
As a result, Cole suffered injuries and medical expenses.
The plaintiff seeks damages of $150,000, plus costs. The plaintiff is represented by John M. Kovac of the Law Office of John M. Kovac in Bolingbrook.
Cook County Circuit Court case no. 2015L005532.