WalkMassachusetts
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walkmass.bsky.social
WalkMassachusetts
@walkmass.bsky.social
1.6K followers 2.1K following 35 posts
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
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walkmass.bsky.social
WalkMassachusetts @walkmass.bsky.social · Nov 12
Hi - we're WalkMassachusetts, a statewide nonprofit pedestrian advocacy organization, founded in 1990 WalkBoston. We're a resource for residents, municipal staff, and elected officials who are interested in working to create safer streets across the Commonwealth. walkmass.org/join-list
Reposted by WalkMassachusetts
massbike.bsky.social
We’re excited to be co-presenting with @walkmass.bsky.social on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 1 pm a webinar with Kris Carter & Jaclyn Youngblood from @massdot.bsky.social about the Special Commission on #Micromobility's upcoming 2026 report. 🚲🛴🚶🚶‍♀️

Register below:
us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
A flyer with the Boston skyline for WalkMass Network's upcoming webinar on the Micromobility Commission Report to be held Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 1 pm on Zoom. Kris Carter and Jaclyn Youngblood from MassDOT will present, joined by WalkMass and MassBike staff for support and discussion. Register using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/IrQf6JHYRhmbtagYmD7ouQ#/registration
February 12, 2026 at 2:35 PM
walkmass.bsky.social
Boston will be moving ahead with an At-Grade design for Rutherford Ave/Sullivan Square!
• Mid March: meeting #2
• Mid April: meeting #3
• May: 25% Design to MassDOT
• late 2026: MassDOT 25% Design Hearing

@mayorwu.boston.gov @streets.boston.gov @boston.gov

More: www.boston.gov/departments/...
AT-GRADE DESIGN Safety & Mobility: Space required for an underpass complicates pedestrian crossings, eliminates space for a continuous linear path, creates pinch points that eliminate turn lanes, and would continue to look and feel like a highway. Resiliency & Reliability: We cannot design an underpass that would not be below the water table, creating cost, maintenance, and reliability issues. Flooding and freezing that occurs today would continue, resulting in continued unexpected detours and delays. CITY OF BOSTON STREETS CABINET Mayor Michelle Wu ENGAGEMENT SCHEDULE • Ongoing coordination with MassDOT and MBTA • 2/3/26: Charlestown Neighborhood Council (CNC) • 2/11/26: Community meeting #1 • Mid March: Community meeting #2 (date TBD) • Mid April: Community meeting #3 (date TBD) • May 2026: Submit 25% Design to the MassDOT • MassDOT to host 25% Design Public Hearing late 2026 • Additional regular engagement and updates to be provided between 25% and design completion CITY OF BOSTON STREETS CABINET Meeting #1: General Update & Rutherford Ave Focus on project background, major elements of the design, and share design approach options for Rutherford Ave Meeting #2: Sullivan Square & Public Realm Review feedback from meeting #1 and gather feedback on public realm opportunities for Sullivan Square, Rutherford Ave, and new linear park. Meeting #3: Traffic Analysis Share the results of traffic analysis and the proposed design for the 25% design submission. Mayor Michelle Wu AT-GRADE DESIGN Project Risk: An underpass design would introduce significant delay, resulting in loss of existing project funding and critical failure and closure of the existing underpass structure prior to a replacement Cost: Constructing new underpasses would add at least $200M to the estimated total project construction cost, in addition to flood control elements such as pump stations CITY OF BOSTON STREETS CABINET Mayor Michelle Wu SIDEWALK & LINEAR PARK On the east side of Rutherford Ave, future sidewalks will be contained within a roughly 40' wide, 5+ acre linear park with a generous buffer! space and separate walking and biking paths On the west side of Rutherford Ave, new buffer space will be added CITY OF BOSTON STREETS CABINET Mayor Michelle Wu
February 11, 2026 at 11:48 PM
Reposted by WalkMassachusetts
americawalks.bsky.social
‼️ LAST CHANCE to apply for the #CommunityChangeGrant program!

This is your community’s chance to receive a $2,000 grant for projects related to healthy, active, and engaged places to live, work, and play. #ActivePeople

Apply TODAY by 10pmET/7pmPT: buff.ly/osYthPV
February 10, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Reposted by WalkMassachusetts
mass.streetsblog.org
Guest Column from @walkmass.bsky.social:

Enough With the Snow, We Deserve Accessible Sidewalks - mass.streetsblog.org/2026/02/10/g...
Guest Column: Enough With the Snow, We Deserve Accessible Sidewalks - Streetsblog Massachusetts
When the mega-snowstorm ended on January 26, we were all asked to be patient. Plow crews were working around the clock; in the meantime, we should do our part by clearing the sidewalks and curb cuts a...
mass.streetsblog.org
February 10, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Reposted by WalkMassachusetts
epl-type7greenline.bsky.social
I had a foot surgery in November, and spent time on a knee scooter and a boot. I'm back in shoes, but it's still harder than usual to get around on cleared sidewalks, let alone now.
February 9, 2026 at 2:55 PM
Reposted by WalkMassachusetts
marionsd.bsky.social
"It’s scary and dangerous for healthy adults, nerve-wracking for parents with small children, and simply impossible for the most vulnerable members of our communities. Worst of all, it’s this way by design."
February 6, 2026 at 5:24 PM
walkmass.bsky.social
Enough with the snow: We deserve clear sidewalks.

walkmass.org/2026/02/06/e...
Enough with the snow: We deserve clear sidewalks – WalkMassachusetts
walkmass.org
February 6, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Reposted by WalkMassachusetts
massbike.bsky.social
An inspiring Day of Action at the MA State House! Thank you to all who participated for mobilizing around #trafficsafety.

View the replay here: youtu.be/7SikCE2XIIw

T4MA, MAVisionZeroCoalition, @familiesforsafestreets.org, @streetsboston.bsky.social, @walkmass.bsky.social, @bikeboston.bsky.social
The MassBike team at the MA State House Day of Action Visiting Representative LeBoeuf's office on State House Day of Action Visiting legislators to discuss current traffic safety camera bills Coalition members, advocates, legislators and their staff, law enforcement, and legal experts gave testimonials and urged action during the State House Day of Action briefing.
February 4, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Reposted by WalkMassachusetts
kennyuong.bsky.social
To public agencies scolding pedestrians for walking along the roadway: we have no other choice if sidewalks are still not cleared.

At least this bus stop on North Main St. in Providence has a path from the curb to shelter. Good for able-bodied riders but a nightmare for people with disabilities. 😫
February 4, 2026 at 11:12 AM
Reposted by WalkMassachusetts
somershade.bsky.social
I had a friend visit this weekend who is still a bit wobbly from a broken ankle earlier in the year and OH WOW do I have a much clearer picture about the importance of clearing sidewalks, curb cuts, rail crossings, and the rest now.
kennyuong.bsky.social Kenny Uong @kennyuong.bsky.social · 10d
To public agencies scolding pedestrians for walking along the roadway: we have no other choice if sidewalks are still not cleared.

At least this bus stop on North Main St. in Providence has a path from the curb to shelter. Good for able-bodied riders but a nightmare for people with disabilities. 😫
February 4, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Reposted by WalkMassachusetts
mass.streetsblog.org
Tomorrow morning, volunteers from @massbike.bsky.social, @walkmass.bsky.social, @bikeboston.bsky.social and others will visit the State House to lobby for "An Act relative to traffic regulation using road safety cameras."
Background:
mass.streetsblog.org/2026/01/30/p...
#mapoli
Policy Riders In Governor's Budget Proposal Would Legalize Speed Enforcement Cameras, End Debt-Based License Suspensions - Streetsblog Massachusetts
Riders in the the new budget bill that Governor Healey introduced this week could legalize the limited deployment of speed limit enforcement cameras and end the state’s practice of taking away drivers...
mass.streetsblog.org
February 2, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Reposted by WalkMassachusetts
conciergeboston.bsky.social
Could the the pedestrian crossings at the corner of Causeway St, North Washington St & Endicott St in North End be cleared? @mass.streetsblog.org @boston.gov @walkmass.bsky.social @bos311.bsky.social @universalhub.com
January 31, 2026 at 6:57 PM
walkmass.bsky.social
With cleanup still underway from the storm that ended earlier this week and another potential nor’easter forecasted for New England this weekend, sidewalks, curb ramps, and crossings remain difficult to navigate in many communities across Massachusetts #ClearCurbCuts www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MV8...
#ClearCurbCuts - Meet Amy
YouTube video by WalkMassachusetts
www.youtube.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Reposted by WalkMassachusetts
bikepedantic.bsky.social
Moving 15 inches of snow off of a sidewalk is hard. A single pass with a snowblower would save a lot of people a lot of back pain (or worse), and that’s a lot more valuable than an immaculate driving lane.
January 26, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Reposted by WalkMassachusetts
bikepedantic.bsky.social
The inequity of muni street plowing vs residents clearing sidewalks is so magnified in a big snowfall like this.

Every hour or so, a plow comes thru to scrape asphalt.

Is the marginal value of paying that guy for that 10th street plowing at all comparable to a single run at the 15” on sidewalks?
January 26, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Reposted by WalkMassachusetts
boston.gov
It’s time to shovel, Boston! Please clear an accessible path of travel on sidewalks and ramps to be sure folks can get around safely. Don’t throw snow back into the street.

If you are able, look out for neighbors who may need help.
Snow emergency SNOW SHOVELING Please clear an accessible path of travel on sidewalks and ramps to be sure folks can get around safely. Don't throw that snow back into the street! If you are able, look out for neighbors who may need help. BOSTON.GOV/SNOW
January 26, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Reposted by WalkMassachusetts
gravelinfluencer.bsky.social
This letter from @brendanjkearney.bsky.social of @walkmass.bsky.social notes that while more regulation is needed for things like e-motos, our state has not made progress on other measures that would have an even larger impact on the safety of pedestrians and micro-mobility users.
More should be done to make streets safer for all Drs. Natalia Barron Cervantes, Cassandra M. Kelleher, and Peter T. Masiakos highlighted an important safety concern in their Nov. 27 op-ed, “Massachusetts laws haven’t kept up with e-bike technology, and children are paying the price.” The authors recommend a number of regulations they’d like to see the Legislature enact. At the end of 2024, the Legislature established a Special Commission on Micromobility, which has met five times this year. A report is due out soon, with findings that may require lawmakers to act to make streets safer both for people using micromobility devices and for pedestrians. I would also note that removing the fastest and heaviest micromobility devices from sidewalks and trails across the Commonwealth would improve safety for people walking, running, and enjoying parks and trails, but there is more to do to improve mobility and safety for everyone. After all, the majority of fatal and serious crashes in Massachusetts involve automobiles. Users are often on sidewalks because streets are dangerous. We need to do everything we can to slow speeding drivers down, such as allowing municipalities to opt in to road safety cameras. Lawmakers should pass proposed legislation that would do that.
December 10, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Reposted by WalkMassachusetts
gravelinfluencer.bsky.social
Something I often talk about is the need for media outlets to put conversations about e-bike safety and regulations in the context of the larger danger on our streets: cars.

The Boston Globe published two letters to the editors that do this well. I'll thread them below.
December 10, 2025 at 2:10 PM
walkmass.bsky.social
Family sues state police over death of 'matriarch' killed in brookline crosswalk @mass.streetsblog.org @brooklinenews.bsky.social mass.streetsblog.org/2025/12/04/f...
Family Sues State Police Over Death of ‘Matriarch’ Killed In Brookline Crosswalk - Streetsblog Massachusetts
A Mass. State Police trooper drove into Margie Mendez, 86, in a crosswalk on Route 9 earlier this year.
mass.streetsblog.org
December 4, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Reposted by WalkMassachusetts
massbike.bsky.social
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
‘I Hate That This Day Has To Exist’: Hundreds Rally for Bike Safety | News | The Harvard Crimson
BOSTON — More than 250 people crowded the steps of the State House on Boston Common on Sunday for the “Ride and Walk for Your Life” rally, calling for stronger road-safety laws amid a rise in cyclist…
www.thecrimson.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Reposted by WalkMassachusetts
massbike.bsky.social
www.bostonherald.com/2025/11/16/w...
‘World Day of Remembrance’ remembers thousands killed in traffic crashes in Massachusetts
Families, friends and advocates remembered those who have been lost to traffic crashes on the steps of the State House early Sunday, part of events across the state marking the “World Day of …
www.bostonherald.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Reposted by WalkMassachusetts
massbike.bsky.social
www.wcvb.com/article/bost...
Boston rally urges lawmakers to pass bills on road safety after deadly crashes
A rally at the Massachusetts State House Sunday sought to raise awareness on road safety and two pieces of legislation that attendees urged state lawmakers to pass.
www.wcvb.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Reposted by WalkMassachusetts
massbike.bsky.social
Thank you Families for Safe Streets MA, @bikeboston.bsky.social, & @walkmass.bsky.social for their impactful World Day of Remembrance events on 11/16

Check out media coverage of the Boston/Cambridge events here; keep an eye out for posts about other parts of MA #WDoR2025

whdh.com/news/ride-an...
Ride and Walk For Your Life event in Mass. honors those killed in traffic accidents - Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News
BOSTON (WHDH) - People from across Massachusetts rode, walked and rallied at the State House on Sunday for the second annual Ride and Walk for<a class="excerpt-read-more"…
whdh.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Reposted by WalkMassachusetts
massbike.bsky.social
www.boston.com/news/local-n...

Join us, Families for Safe Streets MA, @walkmass.bsky.social, @bikeboston.bsky.social, & other partners on 11/16 to honor the victims of traffic crashes in MA. We all benefit from #SaferStreets. Even one death is too many. #WDoR2025

www.visionzerocoalition.org/wdr
'Ride and Walk for Your Life' pedals toward safer streets, will push for reform
"Ride and Walk for Your Life Boston" events include a memorial bike ride, a memorial walk, and a rally at the State House.
www.boston.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Reposted by WalkMassachusetts
thebostonlol.bsky.social
Excellent article on the upcoming #RideForYourLife25 from Cambridge to Boston, in memory of those killed and fighting for safer streets @universalhub.com @bikeboston.bsky.social @gravelinfluencer.bsky.social @bikepedantic.bsky.social @walkmass.bsky.social @massbike.bsky.social

See you on Sunday 💔
November 12, 2025 at 5:28 PM