memorial ride – A memorial rally and ride in Chicago’s Bridgeport on Monday honored Chicago Department of Transportation employee Riley O’Neil, who died June 5 in an accident while biking on South Halsted Street—showing both the tight-knit cycling community’s activism and the
Monday in Chicago’s Bridgeport, the cycling community gathered for a memorial rally and ride for Chicago Department of Transportation employee Riley O’Neil, who died June 5 in an accident while biking on South Halsted Street.
The day carried a particular kind of weight for people who knew him and for those who didn’t. Advocates and co-workers described O’Neil’s work helping build safer biking infrastructure. and during the rally. even people who weren’t personally acquainted with him were brought to tears. For others, the ride reopened wounds—memories of friends and family members lost to similar incidents.
In the photograph. one of the memorial ride’s biking marshals stands out in bright contrast: orange pants and a yellow jacket against the pale blue skyline. She lifts her hand in the air to signal the intersection to the rest of the crowd. turning a simple gesture into something communal and urgent—an act of guidance moving through grief.
The image also reflects the way photographers on fast deadlines work when the moment won’t wait. The photographer. Visual Journalist Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere. said he ran ahead of the group as they set up to ride. trying first for a general long telephoto shot. When he wasn’t satisfied with the results, he moved another block over and tried again.
In an alley next to the street, he spotted a puddle of still water that held a reflection. He attempted a shot with a 24-70mm lens and captured a similar image featuring a bike marshal in red with his hand raised—but he still wasn’t happy because the frame wasn’t wide enough.
With only minutes left before he had to leave to file his work. he switched to a 16-35mm ultrawide lens. widened the focal length to 16.5 mm. angled the camera to include as much sky and reflection as possible. and waited for the decisive moment. A minute or two before he had to go. he said he managed a burst that included the image of the woman shown in the photo.
The technical details for the shot are specific: Nikon Z7 II; focal length 16.5 mm; aperture f/7.1; exposure 1/400; ISO 640.
Chicago cycling community Bridgeport memorial ride Riley O’Neil Chicago Department of Transportation South Halsted Street accident biking marshals safer biking infrastructure photojournalism
Bike lanes never seem safe though… RIP.
So wait he died biking on Halsted? I mean drivers don’t look, but why is this on Chicago DOT like they personally ran over him or something. Either way sad, Bridgeport always got that “bike people” energy.
The part about the photo stuff is kinda wild like they were chasing a puddle reflection and meanwhile someone’s gone. But that’s also kind of beautiful?? I just keep thinking if there was a better crosswalk or protection on Halsted this wouldn’t keep happening.
Honestly sounds like another case of “thoughts and prayers” while nothing changes. If Chicago DOT builds safer infrastructure why are people still dying on bikes. Also the article says the marshal in orange/yellow is giving signals but I’m like… signals to who? Cars don’t care. Sad either way.