WalkMassachusetts calls for urgent safety investments as more communities organize walk audits to demand safer, more accessible streets across the state

BOSTON, Mass. (April 2, 2025) – WalkMassachusetts’ latest Fatal Pedestrian Crashes in MA report shows inequities in who is most at risk on our streets. Of the 369 total traffic deaths reported in Massachusetts in 2024, 78 were pedestrians. More than one-third of those killed were age 65 or older, and nearly 70% of fatalities occurred in Environmental Justice neighborhoods. For the first time, the report also includes data on crash victims using wheelchairs—underscoring the urgent need to design streets for people of all abilities.

“From Medford to Beverly, communities are organizing walk audits, documenting unsafe conditions, and calling for action,” said Brendan Kearney, co-Executive Director of WalkMassachusetts. “This data backs up what residents already know: our streets are not safe for everyone.”

Key 2024 Findings:

• 66.7% of fatal crashes occurred in Environmental Justice communities.
• 37.2% of victims were age 65+.
• New “personal conveyance” category includes people using wheelchairs and scooters.
• 70.5% of crashes happened on locally controlled roads.
• 61% occurred in the dark.

The report coincides with the 10th anniversary of Boston’s Vision Zero commitment. City speed data show that “Better Bike Lane” projects initiated over the last few years have led to better compliance with speed limits, creating safer streets for all users. While pedestrian injuries have declined, WalkMassachusetts urges renewed commitment—especially from cities with recurring fatalities.

“There’s been progress, but there’s more to do—particularly for people with disabilities and older adults,” said Kat Torres Radisic of the Boston Center for Independent Living. “We need bold leadership—and real investment—in street safety.”

To support growing demand, WalkMassachusetts is expanding its Walk Audit Academy—including bilingual walk audits  and hands-on training to help residents identify hazards and organize for change in Brockton this spring. A searchable directory of walk audits from across the state is also now available…

WalkMassachusetts calls for:

• Regional Vision Zero planning efforts to continue even if federal funds are rescinded 
• Increased municipal use of Chapter 90 funds for walkable, accessible infrastructure.
• Continued support for community-led walk audits, especially in EJ communities.

Learn more and access the report at walkmass.org.

About WalkMassachusetts
WalkMassachusetts makes walking safer and easier to encourage better health, a cleaner environment, and more vibrant communities. Founded in 1990 as WalkBoston, the organization envisions a Commonwealth where everyone—regardless of race, age, ability, or identity—feels safe and valued on our streets and sidewalks.

Our Golden Shoes Awards recognize individuals, agencies, municipalities and companies exemplifying the ideals of WalkMassachusetts’ mission. The winners accept their award during our Annual Celebration on April 9th, which will be in-person starting at 5:30pm (and live streamed starting at 6:30pm) from the Venture Cafe @ 1 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02142. Register here to join us in celebrating & honoring their work! (link will be sent to virtual attendees early afternoon on 4/9).

This year’s Golden Shoe Awards go to…Direct Vision Study, Samuels & Associates / Lyrik, and our keynote speaker Worcester City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj. Congrats to all the winners!

Direct Vision Study

Direct vision refers to a driver’s ability to see outside their vehicle without relying on indirect vision devices like mirrors or camera displays. We’ll be recognizing the project team that published this report and performed measurements of fleet vehicles across the Commonwealth.

We especially appreciate this section of the report website:

“MassDOT has adopted a Safe System approach to roadway safety. This means we are interested in all the various components that contribute to — or detract from — roadway safety. One of those components is Safe Vehicles. As stated in our 2023 Strategic Highway Safety Plan, we intend to take an active role to affect change in vehicle design, features, and use. Safe vehicles are a core component of a Safe System Approach, as vehicle sizes and designs affect the occurrence and severity of collisions.

While vehicle design is usually thought of as a federal responsibility, we believe we have a role to play at the state level to improve the safety of vehicles that travel on state highways and roads in our cities and towns. This study on direct vision will help us better understand which vehicles we should purchase in the future to achieve better safety outcomes.”

Samuels & Associates / Lyrik

Samuels and Associates are the developers behind the Lyrik building project over the Massachusetts Turnpike in Boston’s Back Bay, an air-rights project that created new public space in an area that was once a windswept overpass between Newbury and Boylston Streets. The organization’s commitment to placemaking and community engagement in their developments has played a pivotal role in creating more walkable and connected urban spaces. We’ll be recognizing the project team that helped create this site.

Keynote Speaker: Worcester City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj

Etel Haxhiaj is a Worcester City Councilor who was recently selected for the T4MA Transportation Justice Institute, joining other elected officials from across the Commonwealth. She has been a dedicated advocate for Complete Streets, lowering speed limits to 25 mph, establishing safety zones in high-risk pedestrian areas, and championing zero-fare transportation.

We hope to see you on April 9th!

The winners accept their award during our Annual Celebration on April 9th, which will be in-person starting at 5:30pm from the Venture Cafe @ 1 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02142. Register here to join us in celebrating & honoring their work! Can’t attend in person? Register for the livestream that will begin when the program itself starts at 6:30pm, or make a donation as part of the event that will help support WalkMassachusetts’ work throughout the year.

To read about previous Golden Shoe winners, click here.

This post has been updated on 1/21/25 with the tentative route.
Please RSVP at bottom of page!

Join WalkMassachusetts this winter to learn how to lead a walk audit with a North Shore Walk Audit Academy program! We’ll start things off with a walk audit training at 10am on January 25, 2025 in Beverly, MA, which will include a demonstration walk audit in downtown Beverly starting at Gentile Brewing Company. Thank you to our convening partner, the Beverly Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

What is a walk audit?

Walk audits are a tool for getting community input about walking conditions based on observation and your own lived experience. This firsthand information can add important detail to more technical information, and help improve traffic safety in your area. 

What: Walk Audit Training hosted by WalkMassachusetts
When: Saturday 1/25/2025 10am – 1pm
Where: Gentile Brewing Company, 59 Park Street, Beverly, MA 01915
Process: Group session, 1 mile walk audit Rantoul & Cabot Streets, Group Debrief.

This training will familiarize you with existing walk audit materials and protocols which will enable you to conduct audits in your own community. Learning materials and videos are also available on WalkMassachusetts’ website. 

WalkMassachusetts’ Walk Audit Academy training uses a ‘flipped classroom’ style; after the kick off meeting, participants review materials/training videos on their own. Any time spent on Zoom together is used to react to the materials, answer questions, and bring up locations on maps for discussion in preparation for leading your own walk audit.

Route for the walk audit

The route is one mile and passes eight locations where there were pedestrian vs motor vehicle incidents, and two bicycle vs motor vehicle incidents. This is a very good area to study because of the concentration of incidents in a relatively small area. It also happens to be an area where pedestrian use has increased and the infrastructure is fairly new. This is a link to the map and the described walking route from the brewery is below.

• right out of the front door up to Federal St
• right again to the intersection with Rantoul St
• right onto Rantoul St
• right on Railroad Ave
• left on Park St
• right on Pleasant St
• right on River St
• Right on Federal St
• Right on Park St
• Gentile Brewery on the left

For any questions that are not answered above:

Beverly Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee:
Carl Kooyoomjian – ckk@kooyoomjian.com

WalkMassachusetts: Brendan Kearney – bkearney@walkmass.org

WalkMassachusetts is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that works to make walking safer and easier in Massachusetts, to encourage better health, a cleaner environment, and more vibrant communities; consider supporting their efforts with a donation. Whether you’re part of a municipal bike/ped committee or just interested in making your community on the North Shore safer for walking, we’d love you to join us on January 25th! Please RSVP below.