Yader "Yak" Castaneda Ghost Bike Vigil
- Bike Lane Uprising
- Jul 28
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 6
Date: Sunday, August 3, 2025
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: Chicago: Michigan Avenue at Randolph
Background: May 26, 2025, at 4:53 am Yader "Yak" Castaneda, 18, was fatally struck while riding a Divvy share bike in Chicago at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Randolph.
Yader was struck by driver Peter Aleck who was cited for speeding with his Hummer, a vehicle registered for his company Aleck Plumbing Inc. located in Homewood, IL. Aleck was taken in for DUI testing yet the medical records have not been released yet.
The crash took place in the center of the city at Randolph & Michigan, a designated bike route for accessing the lakefront path. "Although Randolph has bike lanes, the intersection with Michigan Avenue can feel dangerous to cyclists and pedestrians who must cross its 10 lanes of traffic, said Christina Whitehouse, founder of safety advocate group Bike Lane Uprising."
At the request of Yader's family and friends, please join us for a Ghost Bike Vigil at the site of the crash on Sunday, August 3rd at 1 pm. Yellow was Yader's favorite color and attendees are encouraged to wear yellow or bring yellow flowers.
Related News Articles:
Driver says he did not see cyclist in fatal Loop crash — Chicago's first bicyclist death of 2025 - 5/28/2025 - Chicago Sun-Times
Ghost bike placed in Loop to honor teen killed while biking on Memorial Day 2025 - WGN-TV - 8/4/2025
Ghost bike set up for teen who was struck, killed in downtown Chicago - CBS Chicago - 8/4/2025
Relatives, friends remember 18-year-old bicyclist struck and killed by car in the Loop - NBC Chicago - 8/4/2025
Young Cyclist Killed In Memorial Day Crash Also Lost His Parents To A Car Wreck, Family Says - Block Club Chicago - 8/4/2025
Loved ones, bike advocates honored Yader Castaneda, fatally struck by Hummer driver at dangerous Loop intersection - Streetsblog Chicago - 8/4/2025
About Ghost Bikes: Ghost bikes are roadside memorials. They are usually a bike that’s painted white and placed at crash sites where bicyclists have been killed. They honor the person who was killed. The presence of a ghost bike is a signal to bicyclists and pedestrians that the area is not safe. They remind drivers to drive with caution. Most importantly, they are a symbol to city decision makers that work needs to be done to make that location safe for vulnerable road users.