“I’ve reached my limit with creating ghost bikes, mourning lives lost, and chatting with grieving family members who have become advocates,” Mook passionately expressed to the crowd assembled before the solemn backdrop of the World War I Memorial on the northern edge of Boston Common.
This poignant rally coincided with the Ride for Your Life event commemorating the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, as cyclists traversed the intersection where Kim Staley tragically lost her life near Harvard Square. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff
This rally marked yet another chapter in a growing series of advocacy events sparked by the untimely death of Corcoran. Advocates and politicians alike have criticized the City of Cambridge and the state Department of Conservation and Recreation for their inaction regarding critical safety enhancements along Memorial Drive, a known hazardous area where Corcoran was killed, despite being warned numerous times about its dangers.
Back in 2019, Cambridge took an important step by passing a cycling safety ordinance, mandating the construction of over 22 miles of separated bike lanes within a seven-year timeframe. While commendable progress has been made, with some of these vital lanes newly established, other projects remain in the planning stages. Recently, the City Council decided to push back the completion deadline from May 2026 to November 2026, highlighting an ongoing struggle for adequate cycling infrastructure.
In an effort to enhance road safety, Cambridge has also implemented bans on right turns at red lights and has lowered speed limits throughout the city to combat the alarming trend of traffic-related fatalities, according to a statement made by Cambridge spokesperson Jeremy Warnick.
“Although strides have been made to improve cycling safety, we’ve sadly witnessed the deaths of three cyclists on our roads this year, which has had a profound impact on our community and serves as a stark reminder of the work still needed,” Warnick stated thoughtfully.
In October, the Department of Conservation and Recreation unveiled a series of proposed safety improvements for Memorial Drive, including the expansion of sidewalks and a reduction in speed limits near the Boston University Bridge, the very site where Corcoran’s tragic accident occurred. The department has yet to respond to requests for further comment.
The emotional rally also featured a moment of silence at the State House in remembrance of lives lost, with speakers like Senator William Brownsberger and Representatives Manny Cruz, and Steven Owens advocating for critical new legislation aimed at enhancing road safety through automated red light enforcement and truck safety regulations as part of a comprehensive 2023 traffic safety bill.
“The tragic traffic fatalities that have claimed lives in our community are heart-wrenching, tearing apart families and friends,” Cruz noted solemnly. “I feel a profound obligation for our Commonwealth to pursue a vision of zero traffic fatalities.”
In a poignant gesture, organizers placed a pot of vibrant sunflowers at the memorial steps and invited those who have experienced loss due to crashes to take one. Among the attendees were Mary Beth Ellis and her husband, Eric Olson, mournfully reflecting on the untimely passing of their 5-year-old daughter, Sidney Olson, who was struck and killed by a truck in Andover last year.
Olson described Sidney as an exuberant spirit whose absence has left an indelible mark on their lives.
“We don’t have to endure these heart-wrenching days,” he lamented. “There is hope for a different reality.”
Cyclists made their presence felt across the Longfellow Bridge during the impactful memorial bike ride, the “Ride for Your Life,” paying homage on the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff
Alexa Gomberg, a close friend of Nguyen, the 24-year-old bicyclist tragically killed in Cambridge this summer, led a heartfelt moment of silence honoring the 61 pedestrians and nine cyclists who lost their lives in Massachusetts this year. She shared that Nguyen had a passion for uniting people.
“I feel her spirit with us as we gather, channeling our sorrow into meaningful collective action,” Gomberg expressed, highlighting the sense of community born from tragedy.
According to data from Vision Zero Boston, the last cyclist fatality recorded in Boston occurred in 2022. However, this year alone has seen 104 cyclists injured in crashes, while five pedestrians have died and 190 have sustained injuries from vehicle-related incidents in the same timeframe. Statewide statistics reveal that 366 vulnerable road users, including cyclists, pedestrians, and those using wheelchairs, have faced severe injuries in accidents this year.
Of those, 15 injuries occurred in Cambridge. The city experiences roughly 145 bicycle crash reports annually, based on the most current traffic analysis report available, and data indicates that trucks significantly contribute to incidents involving cyclists.
Catherine Benedict, overcome with emotion, stood beside Hudson Loughlin after leaving a chalk message for her beloved friend and mentor, Minh-Thi Nguyen, an MIT graduate student whose life was cruelly cut short when a driver struck her while she was cycling. Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff
Dan Glaun can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @dglaun.
What specific changes are being called for by cycling advocates to improve road safety for cyclists in Cambridge?
**Interview with Mook, an Advocate for Cyclists’ Safety**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Mook. Your recent passionate speech at the rally for the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims has really resonated with many. Can you tell us what motivated you to speak out at this event?
**Mook**: Thank you for having me. I have reached my limit with creating ghost bikes and mourning lives lost. I’ve spoken with too many grieving families who have become advocates for change after losing loved ones. It’s heartbreaking to realize that our roads are still not safe for cyclists, and I felt it was crucial to express that urgency to the crowd gathered at the memorial.
**Editor**: Your speech coincided with the tragic memory of Kim Staley. What does her death symbolize in terms of the larger issue of road safety for cyclists?
**Mook**: Kim’s death is a stark reminder of the dangers we face every day as cyclists. It’s not just her tragic accident — it represents a collective failure to prioritize cyclist and pedestrian safety. The rally aimed to honor her life while also holding the City of Cambridge and other authorities accountable for their inaction regarding safety enhancements in known hazardous areas like Memorial Drive.
**Editor**: There have been calls for more urgent actions from local governance regarding cycling safety infrastructure. What specific changes are advocates like yourself looking for?
**Mook**: We are urging swift implementation of the cycling safety ordinance passed in 2019, which calls for separated bike lanes. We need the city to stop postponing deadlines for these essential projects. Additionally, we seek more comprehensive measures, such as stricter enforcement of traffic laws to ensure that streets are safe for all users, not just motorists.
**Editor**: The City Council recently pushed back the completion date for these bike lanes. As an advocate, how do you feel about the progress made so far?
**Mook**: While it’s commendable that some progress has been made, the delay in completing the remaining bike lanes is disheartening. We’ve lost three cyclists on our roads just this year. This highlights the urgency for change that still hasn’t been prioritized. There’s a responsibility on our leaders to ensure our streets are safe—not just for cyclists, but for everyone.
**Editor**: During the rally, it was clear that grief is a common experience shared among many participants. How do you see the role of community in advocating for road safety?
**Mook**: Community is everything in this fight. The emotional toll of losing a loved one to a traffic incident can unify us in our cause. Sharing our experiences empowers us to advocate collectively for change. When people come together to voice their concerns and experiences, it pressures decision-makers to take action. It’s about creating a culture where road safety is non-negotiable.
**Editor**: Thank you, Mook, for your insights and dedication to this critical issue. The voices of advocates like you are essential in pushing for change and ensuring safety in our communities.
**Mook**: Thank you for shining a light on this issue. Together, we can create a future where tragedy is no longer the catalyst for change.
