@walkmass.bsky.social
Statewide pedestrian advocacy organization working to make walking safer and easier in Massachusetts to encourage better health, a cleaner environment, and more vibrant communities. Email list (we send out ~2x month) https://walkmass.org/join-list
Spot-on response from @brendanjkearney.bsky.social of @walkmass.bsky.social to a new study showing Boston is among the country's most collision-prone cities. Narrow streets can be an asset, but only if we work to make them so. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/18/o...
18.07.2025 14:48 — 👍 4 🔁 2 💬 1 📌 0So true! For many of us this is about protecting our residents & our constituents. It’s about putting people ahead of politics. It’s what our public servants like @steverolle.bsky.social and @toddkirrane.bsky.social & their entire staff do too.
It’s about the Candice and other children.
On @wgbh.org recently, I made the case that when elected officials are working with residents and planning/DPW staff to make streets safer for their constituents, that's not politics - that's moral leadership (link should start at the question, 17:50) youtu.be/WxWw2kiD-5g?...
@walkmass.bsky.social
On a recent WGBH Amplifies panel @walkmass.bsky.social lauded @etelhaxhiaj.bsky.social for helping make Worcester streets safer: "that's not politics, that’s moral leadership”. So proud to have her as my district councilor and colleague. www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxWw... (go to 17:15)
25.06.2025 13:28 — 👍 2 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 1Anyway, that’s it. Go check out a tree today.
If you can do it safely, of course, in this dense, hot, excessively paved place we call home.
Oh yeah, also don’t go on a turf field today. Basically instant heatstroke. Grass will be nice though, especially in the shade.
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Trees are pretty amazing bits of urban infrastructure. They’re basically the only capital asset that gets -better- after being in place for 20 years … and they’re wildly cross functional.
Traffic calming, cooling, beautification, air filtering …
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If you have a moment today, in the heat, and you can do it without risk to your health - take a moment to stand in the shade of a tree as opposed to the shade of a building.
It’ll be perceptibly cooler under the tree because of the ‘swamp cooler’ effect from water being drawn up to the leaves.
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GBH Amplifies: "Streets as a Tool for Democracy" - Thursday, June 12 at 1pm at GBH BPL Studio, 700 Boylston Street, Boston. Panel includes Reggie Ramos (T4MA), Tiffany Cogell (Boston Cyclists Union), Katarina Torres Radisic (Riders Access Group/Boston Center for Independent Living), Brendan Kearney (WalkMassachusetts).
Hope to see you today at 1pm at @bpl.boston.gov or on @wgbh.org for this panel discussion, ""Streets as a Tool for Democracy." RSVP and more info:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
"The street is communicating how we should be driving. And it's not safe for pedestrians, or for anyone," said Iolando Spinola, a Brockton resident and program manager for @walkmass.bsky.social.
mass.streetsblog.org/2025/05/28/p...
As someone who has done one of these walk audits, I can not recommend them enough. It's so eye-opening for people to really examine how and why infrastructure is failing pedestrians and ways to address that.
29.05.2025 00:34 — 👍 86 🔁 15 💬 5 📌 1TONIGHT: Join @bikeboston.bsky.social and @walkmass.bsky.social at 6:30 PM. As reported at last night's @fpnaboston.bsky.social meeting, members of Gracie's family will be present at the memorial. bsky.app/profile/bike...
21.05.2025 15:28 — 👍 6 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0
WalkMass Network 5/21, 1pm - National Disparities in Traffic Fatalities: the role of active mobility and autonomous vehicles. Featured speaker: Matthew A Raifman, PhD Transportation Safety Researcher, University of California, Berkeley
Join us on the 3rd Wednesday of each month for our WalkMass Network webinars. This month, Matthew Raifman, PhD (@wildcalifornia.bsky.social) shares about national disparities in traffic fatalities and role of active mobility and autonomous vehicles. Registration link and more info: walkmass.org
16.05.2025 21:38 — 👍 11 🔁 5 💬 0 📌 0
Join the BCU and @walkmass.bsky.social to memorialize all victims of traffic violence in 2024. Named "Gracie's Ride" in honor of Gracie Gancheva who was killed visiting Boston near the Children's Museum.
📅 May 21st @ 6PM
📍 Hood Milk Plaza, Seaport
🕯️ Memorial - 6:30-7:30
🚴♀️ Ride - 7:30-9PM
Picture of a group of people smiling. There are people in the background in a cafe setting
Thank you SO much @walkmass.bsky.social for the Golden Shoe award & having me as your keynote!
I share the award w/ our incredible organizers & advocates, who’ve taught me so much. @kvgoins.bsky.social @ojc.bsky.social Alex Salcedo @steverolle.bsky.social & his team. Thank you for coming out!
Direct link to the report here: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5df8...
04.04.2025 23:43 — 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0We also just released our statewide crash report this week, looking at 2024 data: bsky.app/profile/walk...
04.04.2025 23:41 — 👍 2 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0
Our annual event is this coming Wednesday: walkmass.org/2025/03/24/p...
04.04.2025 23:40 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
WalkMass calls for action: even if fed funds are rescinded, keep regional vision zero efforts on track. prioritize walkability and safety with chapter 90 funds. support community-led walk audits to ensure all voices shape safer streets.
Your voice matters! Join us in pushing for these changes. speak up for safer streets today!
WalkMassachusetts calls for urgent safety investments and expanded community-led walk audits to demand real change. 📢 It’s time for action!
Learn more & read the full report: walkmass.org/fatal-pedest...
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#SafeStreets #VisionZero #WalkMass #mobilityjustice #pedestriansafety
In 2024, 70.5% of fatal pedestrian crashes occurred on local streets controlled by cities or towns.
Almost 61% of the fatal pedestrian crashes occurred in the dark.
New Report: Fatal Pedestrian Crashes in MA (2024)
📊 More Key Findings:
🔴 70.5% happened on locally controlled roads.
🔴 61% occurred in the dark.
🔴 New data tracks crash victims who were using wheelchairs & scooters
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2024 Fatal Pedestrian Crash report slide w/ QR code to the full report
Older adults (65+) make up 18% of the population but 37.2% of crash victims
66.7% of fatal pedestrian crashes took place in Environmental Justice Census Block Groups.
New Report: Fatal Pedestrian Crashes in MA (2024)
In 2024, 78 pedestrians lost their lives on Massachusetts streets, accounting for just over 21% of the total - nearly 70% in Environmental Justice neighborhoods and over 1/3 were age 65+. Streets aren’t safe for everyone, the data proves it.
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updated the maps; there were a handful of others, labels should now match the location. thanks again!
02.04.2025 14:42 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0quick update here (since I'm no longer in commute -bk); the list+labels match the info we have on these crashes, but for some reason at least those two snapped to the wrong spot. we will get those resolved. Did a spot check of ~10 other crashes which are sited correctly.
02.04.2025 12:57 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0Thanks for your note, Chris, really appreciate - will send your note over to our person to fix the GIS source sheet and re-sync it; likely since we had to update it late w/ an add (and then removal). The list linked below the map has all locations
02.04.2025 11:16 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0We encourage you to contact your legislators to support the safety bills we highlight on safety cameras and expanded truck safety requirements; another state passing ISA is a big step, so we’d encourage you to mention that you hope they would support that when it is filed as well.
02.04.2025 10:32 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 1
In 2024, there were 369 reported total traffic deaths in Massachusetts. At least 78 pedestrians lost their lives as a result of traffic crashes, accounting for just over 21% of the total. Our latest report: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5df8...
02.04.2025 10:22 — 👍 17 🔁 10 💬 1 📌 5
It is mentioned as one of state legislation recommendations in our report that is out today. storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5df8...
02.04.2025 10:22 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Do you want Mass. streets to be safe even for kids, parents with strollers & older people to walk around? Do you want to ensure drivers can see pedestrians & deadly intersections are fixed? Support @walkmass.bsky.social & come to our Annual Celebration on April 9! www.givesignup.org/TicketEvent/...
19.03.2025 18:03 — 👍 8 🔁 4 💬 1 📌 0
Supplies from today’s walk audit hosted by WalkMassachusetts and Beverly Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Commission. Walk audit prompt sheet, speed detector, box of clipboards, and a four pack of beer purchased to support our location, Gentile Brewing in Beverly, MA.
Thanks for coming on the walk audit, second the appreciation for Paul Gentile at Gentile Brewing! Made sure to buy a 4pack on the way out to show support. We’ll send a follow up email on Monday with links mentioned today. people can learn to lead their own walk audit here: walkmass.org/waa
25.01.2025 20:21 — 👍 10 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 1Some photos from the walk audit, which the brewery owner joined.
One thing I noticed: People drive a lot slower around intersections when there's a crowd of people.
Thank you to @walkmass.bsky.social for organizing this! I learned a ton to take back to my town.
The Prevention Research Center at UMass Chan is working with the CDC and local partners to improve public health by promoting physical activity through activity-friendly community design: direc.to/m9Q5
@walkmass.bsky.social
