Vision Zero in Boston is a road safety initiative that aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries while enhancing transportation equity and efficiency throughout the city. Vision Zero’s root belief is that no loss of life or serious injury on our city streets is acceptable. The program emphasizes a redesign of streets and intersections to prioritize pedestrian safety, promotes public awareness campaigns to educate road users about safe behaviors, and works with law enforcement to enforce traffic laws effectively. At Breakstone, White & Gluck, we applaud any effort to make o ..read more

If you use a bicycle to commute around Boston, you know it can sometimes feel like you’re taking your very life in your hands. Inattentive drivers and heavy traffic can make even a short bike ride dangerous. To prove this point, a UK cyclist who goes by the handle CycleGaz is giving motorists a virtual taste of what it feels like to navigate a bicycle through city streets. Jalopnik writes about CycleGaz’s goal, which is “to finally put drivers in the bicycle seat to show them just how scary it is to be a cyclist today.” CycleGaz commutes throughout London every day, using a camera on his helme ..read more

Boston is a beautiful, historic city. Exploring its historical trails and paths is a part of Bostonian culture. With well-planned infrastructure and a cycling-friendly atmosphere, it is a haven for two-wheeled adventurers. The network of bike lanes and paths crisscrossing the city grants cyclists the freedom to explore its vibrant neighborhoods and iconic landmarks on their own terms. While the city has worked to improve the often narrow streets for bicyclists, there are still risks and dangers inherent in bicycling in a city such as ours, and newly released data shows that bicycle accidents a ..read more

In Boston, as in many other cities across the United States, distracted driving is a growing problem that puts bicyclists at risk of injury or even death. As personal injury attorneys, we have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of bicycle accidents caused by distracted driving. Our bike accident attorneys have been helping injured cyclists for decades. Here are just a few of our successes in cases involving negligent and/or distracted drivers: $1,800,000 for a cyclist hit in a crosswalk who suffered brain trauma and post-concussion syndrome. $450,000 for a cyclist who susta ..read more

Cambridge is now exploring how to implement “no turn on red” traffic regulations citywide, with a goal of improving safety conditions for cyclists and pedestrians. The Cambridge City Council backed the proposal in a 7-2 vote on Monday, November 7, 2022. With the City Council’s vote, Cambridge becomes one of the first U.S. cities to explore this step. The city manager will now work with city departments to investigate how to execute the regulations. Turns are already banned at 70 to 75 percent of Cambridge intersections, according to news reports, and some of the others may require state permis ..read more

New legislation will protect cyclists, pedestrians and others outside motor vehicles as vulnerable road users in Massachusetts. In a late victory for cyclists and pedestrians, Gov. Charlie Baker signed a critical road safety bill into law during his final days in office. While encouraging safety, the legislation may also position Massachusetts as a leader on truck safety and protecting vulnerable road users. Gov. Baker – now the former governor – signed An Act to Reduce Traffic Fatalities on Monday (January 2, 2023). Supporters said the legislation represents 10 years of collaboration. Most ..read more

The Cambridge City Council has voted to explore making “no turn on red” a city-wide traffic regulation. Cambridge is now exploring how to implement “no turn on red” traffic regulations citywide, with a goal of improving safety conditions for cyclists and pedestrians. The Cambridge City Council backed the proposal in a 7-2 vote on Monday, November 7, 2022. With the City Council’s vote, Cambridge becomes one of the first U.S. cities to explore this step. The city manager will now work with city departments to investigate how to execute the regulations. Turns are already banned at nearly 75 per ..read more

In Boston, cyclists are sharing concerns about bike safety during the Orange Line shutdown. Boston commuters are taking the Orange Line shutdown one day at a time. Many are biking to work and school, some for the first time – and sharing their thoughts and concerns from the bike lane on social media and local news. In Boston, the mayor even joined cyclists on the road and Tweeted about riding conditions. It’s nice to see cyclists share information to help each other make the ride safely. A few concerns mentioned: dooring, trucks parking in the bike lane and the need for more protected bike l ..read more

Attorney Ronald E. Gluck By: Ronald Gluck Attorney Ron Gluck is a member of the Charles River Wheelers and wrote this article for the club’s monthly newsletter, WheelPeople. If you witness an accident, let the victim and the police know. The role of eyewitnesses is critical to the outcome of a case involving injured cyclists. In many cases, police receive a version of the incident from both the cyclist and from the driver of the motor vehicle. When these versions conflict, as they often do, it can be a toss-up as to who is correct. That is when an independent witness, who has no skin in the ..read more

The Massachusetts House and Senate have sent a bill to protect vulnerable road users to the Governor’s desk. At long last, the Massachusetts House and Senate have now sent Gov. Charlie Baker a bill to protect vulnerable road users. One of the bill’s proponents announced the news on his blog, saying the legislation follows 10 years of collaboration among lawmakers and road safety advocates. We encourage readers to call the governor’s office and urge him to sign the bill! 3-Foot Safe Passing Distance for Vulnerable Road Users Proposed in Massachusetts First, Bill H.5103, protects pedestrians ..read more