CHICAGO (CBS) — Motorcycles and motorbikes often zoom across a South Side bridge intended for pedestrians — and it was recently caught on camera.
Neighbors in Bronzeville say it is an ongoing problem and they have serious safety concerns.
Imagine walking on a pedestrian bridge and being forced to jump out of the way, while you can hear motorcycles approaching head-on. Residents say this is exactly what’s happening at the 41st Street pedestrian bridge over the Metra Electric tracks and DuSable Lake Shore Drive — and they say it’s time for the city to really address the problem.
De’Avlin Olguin took a walk across the bridge late Friday.
“Even on a cool day like today you can enjoy the scenery,” he said.
The pedestrian bridge at 41st Street ends right at Olguin’s block in Bronzeville – and he loves living so close to downtown and the lakefront.
“It’s relaxing just to be out on the water,” he said.
But this week the calm became loud and dangerous.
“I looked out the window of our house, which is across the street,” Olguin said. “It was motorcycles on the bridge.”
Not one or two, but a gang of motorcycles drove across the bridge. Olguin took out his phone to record video.
“There were a number of pedestrians on the bridge — some little kids — so they were all standing off to the side,” Olguin said.
Many were surprised that the engine crew took over the bridge on Tuesday around 9 p.m. But the neighbors know it all too well.
“We’re tired of it,” Olguin said.
That’s because this isn’t the first time motorcycles and more motorcycles have come onto the bridge – far from it.
In 2021, CBS News Chicago reporter Meredith Barack reported on this the same problem with motor vehicles taking over the 41st Street pedestrian bridge. Neighbors cannot understand how and why the problem continues.
“We pay taxes here,” Olguin said. “We may end up paying more taxes, depending on how things go at City Hall.”
CBS News Chicago asked Ald. Lamont Robinson (4th) why bikers keep hijacking the bridge.
“This continues to happen because of enforcement,” Robinson said. “We need to ensure that the procedures in place in the Park District are followed.”
Robinson said he is urging the Chicago Department of Transportation and the Chicago Park District to close the gates that have already been installed after hours.
“Additionally, we need to make sure that the Chicago Police Department is involved,” Robinson said. ‘I also worked with the commander. We will deploy more police in this area.”
Neighbors want to see action and not talk.
“Work a little more diligently, because we’ve heard that story before,” Olguin said.
Residents said part of the problem is that the safety gates on the bridge are still open after 10 p.m., leaving the bridge wide open to motorcyclists. Neighbors said if the city locked the gates at night it might prevent the problem.
