WalkMassachusetts

⚠️ The Data is In: 2025 Fatal Pedestrian Crash Report

Our streets should be safe for everyone, but the newly released report from WalkMass highlights severe, systemic gaps in traffic safety across Massachusetts. The data shows that pedestrian fatalities are heavily concentrated by geography, age, and systemic design.

Here are the critical takeaways from the report:

⭕ Widespread Municipal Vulnerability: Out of 351 municipalities in Massachusetts, 49 communities suffered at least one fatal pedestrian crash, and 13 experienced multiple deaths within the calendar year.
⭕Environmental Justice Inequity: An alarming 62% of fatal pedestrian crashes (47 out of 76) occurred within designated Environmental Justice (EJ) Census Block Groups.
⭕Disproportionate Impact on Older Adults:43% of fatalities were older adults (aged 65+), meaning they are being killed at a higher rate than any other age group.
⭕Who Owns the Danger? Local infrastructure carries the highest risk, with 70% of fatal crashes taking place on City or Town streets, 25% on State Roads (MassDOT), and 5% on private roads.
⭕The Hidden Toll: Due to a federal reporting guidelines gap, at least 11 individuals who lost their lives on Massachusetts roads were completely excluded from MassDOT's main dataset.

💥How We Fight Back
1️⃣ Deploy Traffic Calming
Budgets are tight, but safety is paramount. Start cheap with paint and cones, then scale up to permanent features.

2️⃣ Deter Reckless Driving
The Legislature should permit traffic safety cameras—protecting communities while respecting privacy.

3️⃣ Empower Your Community
Lead a walk audit in your neighborhood to push for local change. Reach out if you need help getting started!

Read the full report: https://walkmass.org/crash-reports/

A decade ago, local municipalities committed to Vision Zero goals to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries. Ten years later, where do we actually stand?

On Wednesday, June 24, at 6:00 PM, we are hosting a special addition to our Streetwise series. We will be joined by Maha Aslam of the LivableStreets Alliance and Brendan Kearney of WalkMassachusetts.

They will be diving deep into recent reports detailing crash data across Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville. While progress has been made, the findings are mixed—highlighting both crucial wins and systemic areas that still demand urgent attention.

If you are interested in urban planning, transportation equity, and public safety, this is a must-attend conversation.

Celebrate Pride Month on two wheels with the Boston Cyclists Union! The ride is from Franklin Park to City Hall, and everyone is welcome. This is a casual-paced ride for all abilities.

🗓️ Saturday, June 20, 2026
⏰ Meet at 10:00 AM | Roll out at 11:30 AM
📍 Franklin Park (Walnut Ave Entrance, 450 Walnut Ave, Boston)

RSVP & details: https://secure.everyaction.com/69R_BF7GJ0aceGRgsHrBig2

🌲 Big news for D.W. Field Park! 🌲The City of Brockton and Town of Avon are launching the D.W. Field Park Climate Resiliency Project! We are currently in the Design Phase and need your input to make the park cleaner, safer, and better for everyone.

Here is what’s coming:
💧 Cleaner Water: Green infrastructure to filter stormwater and protect our wetlands.
🚶‍♂️ Safer Roads: 4 miles of upgrades along D.W. Field Parkway to separate bikes and pedestrians from traffic.
🌳 Tower Hill Upgrades: Transforming the parking lot with natural play features, seating, and walking paths.

Have your say! Learn more and share your feedback at 🔗 dwfieldparkinitiative.org/parkway.

🚨 Happening TODAY at 1:00 PM! 🚨

The MA Joint Committee on Transportation is reviewing the "Ride Safe Act" (Bill S.3077)—a landmark bill aiming to balance pedestrian safety with eco-friendly transit.

Here is what the bill proposes:
1️⃣ A first-in-the-nation tier system regulating micromobility by speed, not device type.
2️⃣ Safety rules, including age limits and helmet requirements for faster devices.
3️⃣ Better accountability through crash data reporting and a permanent statewide working group.

WalkMassachusetts is testifying today, and we want you there with us! Whether you show up in person, log on virtually, or submit written thoughts, your voice matters.

👉 https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/5694

Beat the heat with the Boston MPO! 🧊🚶‍♀️

The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization will be speaking about the NO-HEAT project, a $1 million Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grant initiative focused on making walking and biking safer during extreme heat. The project uses climate and mobility data to identify routes most vulnerable to heat exposure and works with municipalities and partners like WalkMassachusetts to pilot cooling strategies and improve climate-resilient active transportation.

📅 When: May 20 | 1:00 PM
📍 Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/GX4dHbyzQFqJmZmd-oEjJg #/registration

The tragedy on Belmont Street is a heartbreaking reminder that our roads aren't just lines on a map—they are the places where we live, walk, and raise our families. Since 2015, 32 people in Brockton have lost their lives simply trying to cross the street.

Poor lighting and a lack of safe crossings turn everyday walks into life-threatening risks. We can’t bring back those we’ve lost, but we can demand a city designed to protect the living.

How You Can Help:
Demand Change: Contact local and state leaders to prioritize safer crossings and better lighting on Belmont St and across Brockton.

Show Up: Speak up for "Complete Streets" and traffic calming measures at the next public meeting.

Report Hazards: Use SeeClickFix to report dangerous sidewalk gaps or speeding hotspots.

Support the BTSC: Follow the Brockton Transportation Safety Coalition (WalkMassachusetts, Brockton Workers Alliance, and Brockton Bikes) to stay informed on transit audits and advocacy efforts.

Safe streets start with us. 🚶‍♂️🚲 Please share this post to help spread awareness. Every voice makes it harder for our leaders to look the other way.

Brockton Alliance https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BahtVseeT/ (Brockton Bikes)