The NACTO community is mourning a profound loss. Last Friday, Riley O’Neil, a Complete Streets Planner with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), was struck and killed while riding his bike in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood.
Losing a colleague to the very traffic violence he worked so tirelessly to prevent is a heartbreaking shock. Many across the NACTO network have collaborated with Riley or felt the impact of his work. We stand in solidarity with his family, friends, and the entire CDOT team during this incredibly painful time.
A Planner Who Lived the Mission
Riley devoted his career to making bicycling safe and accessible for everyone, most notably by expanding bike parking across Chicago.
Riley lived his mission. Born and raised in Chicago, he lived in several different neighborhoods over the years, deepening his understanding of the city’s diverse communities. This hands-on approach made him an extraordinarily effective planner who designed streets with communities, not just for them.
Within CDOT, Riley was universally loved. Colleagues have described him as “an angel” and “everyone’s friend at work.” Riley embodied the best of the planning community: he was kind, warm, funny, and fiercely dedicated to safe streets.
“Riley could get anyone excited about making Chicago better. He never met a person he couldn’t immediately connect with. His enthusiasm and love for bikes, transit, infrastructure, and public service was contagious.”
—David Powe, Assistant Commissioner, Chicago Department of Transportation
Transportation planning often involves navigating complex political landscapes and conflicting stakeholder demands. When facing challenging issues or difficult days with aldermen and community members, Riley’s colleagues turned to him. He was a master of cutting through bureaucracy without creating unnecessary conflict. He maintained an infectious positive attitude, thought creatively, and found collaborative paths forward where others saw roadblocks.
Honoring Riley
In the wake of this tragedy, the Chicago community and local advocates are channeling their grief into a renewed determination to deliver on Riley’s vision.
Chicago’s bike parking u-racks will be referred to as “Riley Racks” in honor of his work expanding bike parking throughout the city. The city is also actively identifying specific bike network and other street design and policy changes to implement as a direct, lasting tribute to Riley.
Supporting One Another
This loss ripples through our entire community of city transportation practitioners. It is a stark reminder of why we do this work: to design streets that protect human life.
As we process this grief, we encourage everyone in our community to take care of themselves and each other. NACTO is committed to the vital work of making streets safe, ensuring that everyone returns home at the end of the day.
Our deepest thoughts and solidarity are with Riley’s family, his friends, and his colleagues in Chicago.
Resources
Families for Safe Streets provides an array of free support services, advocacy training, and organizing support to those affected by a crash.
