Woman's Death Prompts New Safety Measures at Lake Arlington

The death of an Arlington Heights woman after being hit by a bicyclist while walking the Lake Arlington path has resulted in increased safety guidelines for all users. 

Barabara Pagano, 74, was walking the path June 18 when she was hit from behind. She suffered a serious head injury and ultimately died on July 3. 

Lake Arlington in Arlington Heights draws walkers, runners, bikers and roller bladers from a number of area suburbs to its 2.8 mile track surrounding the lake.

The Arlington Heights Park District has identified the following interim safety steps:

• Bicycles and roller bladers to use the outside of the path in a counter-clockwise direction, allowing right hand turns onto and off from all access points.
• Walkers and runners, in addition to those with strollers and wheelchairs, to use the inside of the path in a clockwise direction.
• High visibility signs to be installed to display appropriate user directions on the path, along with speed limits for wheeled uses. Directional arrows also will be stenciled on the path.
• Increase collaboration between the police department and other local organizations to increase awareness of the need for ‘mutual respect’ between bicyclists and pedestrians. 
• Informal campaign to be launched meant to raise awareness and increase education of the interim changes, “so that they [users] understand their responsibility in ensuring their own safety and the safety of all users.”

The above list represents initial ideas the park district says it will be “implementing as soon as possible” prior to the capital budget process which begins in fall, according to a press release. 

In October, the park district is planning a public meeting for residents to review permanent modifications to the path, who will be invited to weigh in with suggestions through the park district website.

The modifications, according to the release, could include revisiting the idea of installing a new concentric, gravel or softer path meant for running and walking. 

That proposal was a part of the bigger-picture $39 million referendum that voters rejected in the fall of 2012.

The 2.8 mile pathway system itself was constructed in the 1990’s, and funded by three separate bike grants totaling $425,000 – which obligates the park district to preserve the path for bicyclists, the release states.