Recent Death After Lake Arlington Pathway Accident Reminds Users to Beware

On June 18, 74-year-old Barbara Pagano of Arlington Heights was involved in an accident where she was struck by a bicycle while walking on the pathway at Lake Arlington, 1400 E. Valley Lane.

Pagano sustained serious injuries in the accident, and ultimately died on July 3.

Arlington Heights Police say the incident occurred at 12:50 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18, and Pagano sustained a head injury after being hit by the bicycle ridden by an 11-year-old Buffalo Grove resident.

The young person was reportedly riding in a single file line with other bikes when the rider in front of him swerved. Police say he did not see Pagano in enough time to stop and struck her from behind with the bicycle.

Emergency services were called, and Pagano was transported to the hospital by the Arlington Heights Fire Department.

A friend and neighbor of Pagano’s reached out to Arlington Heights Patch and stated that although there is an ‘8 mph speed limit’ and ‘stay to the right’ directives on the path, those are typically ignored by users and no one is enforcing the safety measures.

“Bikers speed around the lake and weave in and out of walkers,” said Pam Greenberg, an Arlington Heights resident who regularly walks the pathway. “There must be some sort of regulation or we'll continue to hear of these incidents. In fact, while at Barbara’s wake, I learned another one of our neighbors was also hit by a biker.”

Among the pathway rules and guidelines set forth by the Arlington Heights Park District, bikers and skaters are required to yield to walkers. Users also are advised to stay to the right and inform the people in front of them if they are trying to pass on the left.  

The Arlington Heights Park District released a statement on its website Monday that read in part, "This is a very tragic incident and our hearts go out to Ms. Pagano’s family and friends on their loss.” said Steve Scholten, Executive Director of the Arlington Heights Park District.

The statement went on to say, "Lake Arlington’s path is used for both wheeled and non-wheeled activities and the Arlington Heights Park District’s pathway usage rules have established speed limits for bikers and skaters in addition to asking that walkers receive the right of way."

The park district stated that local police are relied on for assistance on enforcement of the usage ordinances, as well as users to understand and abide by the posted rules. 

Click here to view the statement in its entirety.