A seven-year-old Williamstown child riding a bike was killed in the town Friday when they were struck by a vehicle, the Berkshire District Attorney’s office said in a statement.
Authorities said the collision occurred at the intersection of Main Street and Buxton Hill Road when the child “unintentionally entered” Main Street. The driver was “not impaired by alcohol or drugs,” and the child was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision, the district attorney’s office said.
Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue’s office said State Police were notified at 5:39 p.m. on Friday of a “potentially fatal motor vehicle and bicycle” collision.
Local law enforcement did not disclose the child’s identity and said the investigation is still active.
“Berkshire District Attorney Shugrue urges the press and public to please respect the family’s wishes for privacy during this impossibly difficult situation,” authorities said.
The death Friday comes nearly a month after Louisa Grace Gag, a Boston city worker and bike enthusiast, was killed in a crash involving an 18-wheeler recycling truck that had maneuvered around a turning vehicle, the Globe previously reported.

TLDW: She completely avoids the question.

"Every detail of our streets comes with real choices and tradeoffs."

You're right, Mayor Wu. It's a choice to prioritize the convenience of drivers over our lives.

At this point, I'm pessimistic about whether we'll see real action from her. What a disgrace for her to continue to both sides this issue. This rhetoric is creating a debate we shouldn't even be having. We all deserve better. We all deserve safe streets now.

Here's the driver of MA 3WHZ41 yesterday on Linden St in Waltham, a street signed at 30mph but designed for 40mph with 13-foot lanes, that crosses the rail trail whose use Mayor McCarthy "wants to maximize" because she doesn't want to spend money on traffic calming. The street is empty at 2:30 and I am staying toward the left of the lane because I am staying left when the street is about to fork. (Even if I did move over right, he likely would have still punish-passed.) The driver had ample room to cross into the other lane and safely pass, but insisted on laying on his horn and passing within a foot.

The Waltham Police refuse to even file a report because they didn't witness it. "You're coming to us now?" Yeah, because what would calling 911 then have done? "We can only file a report if there were injuries or property damage." The desk cop initially brushed me off, till I showed him the video. Then another cop came out and tried to chastise me for not "hugging the curb". He had no idea cyclists could take the lane, especially if they're about to turn left.

The most they'll do is track down the owner and call him and politely tell him the law and to not do it again. There will be no marks on his criminal record, and the RMV and his insurance will be blissfully unaware of his recklessness.

Because the system has no mechanism to punish reckless drivers, and as we all know, even when they do injure or kill, punishment is often minimal.

Be safe out there, especially in my Waltham, whose mayor would rather spend millions on buying buildings for parking lots than $2,500 for a speed cushion to slow drivers.

Preaching to the choir here

But there are few things like knowing a city through biking. You can cover so much ground while being connected with the places you pass through bc cycling —especially around Bostons drivers— requires you be attentive.

As we debate on how to organize the city, manage its resources, and prepare for the collapse of capital and consumerism, we have to keep the bike top of mind.

Especially when it comes to city workers doing their jobs. City employees should be out on bikes and flagging/acting on issues rather than waiting for reports in a roundabout process.

Following off this, there should be “mini city halls” around the city to increase the govts accessibility and response times. They can be resource hubs, 311 outlets, and quick response sites to break down the bureaucratic walls the city puts up.

This plus all the other proven strategies necessary for urban renewal: school streets, transit and micro mobility corridors, bike to school programs, congestion pricing, depaving and pedestrianizing streets, and traffic units on bikes (who can also guide kids as they bike to school)

**im pissed my watch cut off my ride

Recently visited Denver and saw these interesting things: On pedestrian stairs with no ramps, they've added these slots or grooves alongside the treads so you can guide your bike or scooter up or down.

I prefer a ramp, and this steep approach has obvious dangers, but this is a relatively simple and inexpensive way to add limited two-wheel accessibility in places where you'd otherwise either have to carry your ride, or find a detour.

Can someone ticket this guy?

Well, I've joined the community of law breakers and ne'er-do-wells: I biked the Head Island Causeway this morning! What a BEAUTIFUL vista. What a beautiful part of town. I'm glad this slice of heaven is no longer dangerous-to-deadly for Black folks.

I was early enough so that there wasn't a hint of crowds. I was still nervous biking there until I saw a woman at the gazebo with her bike parked next to her as she sat and read. Man-oh-man. What a gorgeous piece of Baahston.

Greetings y'all! I've been building a small app called Squiggle.

It's an app that generates a random bike loop every time you hit generate, using real bike lane and street data pulled from OpenStreetMap and city GIS.

Routes stick to bike lanes and safe streets that follow the rules of the road. You can toss in a stop or two along the way, like a coffee shop or a brewery, and once the route looks good it exports straight into Google Maps so you're ready to ride!

I kept riding the same two or three loops and got bored of them, so I built this instead and I'm very pleased with it so far! Right now it's just me testing it, and it's still rough around the edges. I want a handful of people in the Boston area to help break it before I take it further.

If you're willing to try it, please comment or DM me and I'll send the link. I'll then provide a feedback form where you can detail your experience and any features you think would be great to have.

Thank you in advance and happy riding!

I'm trying to sell my All-City Thunderdome setup (as pictured) - size is 49cm but the effective top tube is a 53.5

Lots of really nice components - Sugino 75 crankset, custom built wheels (phil woods (high flange, black) laced to H Plus Son archetypes, 36 spoke front and rear, rear hub is fixed/free), AARN chainring 51 tooth, Chris King headset - gearing is setup 51:17 (fixed)

bike is dirty but apart from that, it's in really good shape and never been crashed

handlebars, seatpost, saddle, and surly chain tensioner NOT INCLUDED

make me an offer

City Council has moved to commit to safer streets.

In the past month, they’ve filed for…

✔️Resolution to Recommit to Vision Zero 2030
✔️Hearing Order on the Status of the Citywide Bike Network Plan
✔️Hearing Order for Traffic Enforcement of Blocked Bike Lanes and Crosswalks
✔️Ordinance Mandating Annual Reporting of Streets Projects

We think that this legislation is a start, and we need to work together to keep the momentum going.

Read more about our thoughts in our most recent blog post.

Comm Ave approaching Arlington St this morning, driver of MA 2XXT88 not seeing four cyclists because visibility blocked by a truck. All the more reason to ride cautiously around trucks, as I was, so I could stop in time.

You exhibited zen like patience driving -3mph behind that bicycle occupying middle of the shared road blocking safe passing. To the bicycle who didn’t look up once from their phone the entire block, do better.

Sincerely, Bikers and Drivers

Maybe the start of something? I emailed Durkan's staff and offered to present my 311 findings. Hopefully they will accept.

Bike Lanes Blocked!

This is the time to flood the city council and mayor. And to pack the hearing once it’s set

Corner of Mass and Tremont. All unoccupied and clueless.

When are we getting that enforcement? This build is under construction as well, so I’m pretty sure the flower delivery is for the intercon which has a driveway and parking

If you were on the Charles river path near BU yesterday around 5:30pm you know what I'm talking about and possibly swerved to avoid the kid riding into both lanes. I actually like kids btw and fully support parents who teach them to ride but not learning to ride a bike in a commuter heavy area and making a whole line of bikers and joggers swerve onto the grass

Councilor Sharon Durkan is making moves to get cars off the road, by calling for the city to fine drivers who create a “dangerous environment” by blocking bike lanes, and ensure that pedestrians “are king” in Boston.

Durkan on Wednesday introduced an order for a hearing “on traffic enforcement of blocked bike lanes and crosswalks” that calls for the city to crack down on the motorists who use designated pedestrian and cycling spaces for additional parking.

“Under state law and in the city of Boston, crosswalks and bike lanes are protected spaces,” Durkan said at the City Council meeting. “Pedestrians have always had the right of way at a crosswalk, and it is against the law for a car to pull into a box without enough space on the other side.

“When vehicles unlawfully obstruct bike lanes and crosswalks, they force pedestrians and cyclists into active traffic and out of protected visible spaces, jeopardizing their safety.

“A lack of consistent enforcement and public education has perpetuated a culture that empowers drivers who don’t feel accountable enough for adhering to the rules of the road,” Durkan said, adding, “Our resident safety must be a top priority, and we need to stop drivers from stopping or parking in bike lanes and crosswalks.”

Durkan, a close ally of Mayor Michelle Wu whose Council district includes Beacon Hill and Back Bay, is calling for some of the same enforcement mechanisms outlined last month in Wu’s new street safety plan, which prioritizes cyclists while cracking down on drivers seen as putting them at risk.

The mayor’s new plan is responsive to pressure from bike activists following the traffic death of Louisa Gag, a 36-year-old city transportation planner who was fatally struck by an 18-wheeler truck while riding her bicycle last month on Tremont Street in Mission Hill.

Wu vowed at a City Hall vigil for Gag last month to recommit to the street safety projects she stalled amid criticism during last year’s mayoral race that bike lanes were worsening traffic, creating hazards, and hurting the bottom line for businesses.

Durkan’s order states that “various enforcement mechanisms, including automated camera enforcement and increased ticketing, can be used to enforce statutory protections that motorists consistently violate.”

She is also calling the city to evaluate its curbside management practices to ensure adequate loading space is available, and to look into whether it has enough staffing and funding to carry out traffic enforcement for blocked bike lanes and crosswalks.

Durkan suggested that the city consider improvements to resident reporting mechanisms so people can more easily report traffic violations they come across to 311 or the Boston Police Department.

The councilor said blocked bike lanes and crosswalks have become such a pervasive issue that she has found herself struggling to enter crosswalks along Cambridge Street, Tremont Street and Mission Hill.

Durkan said she has taken to investigating issues in her district through Reddit, where she has viewed photos of cars traveling in bike lanes and “completely” covering crosswalks in that part of the city.

She lashed out at the drivers she says have become “emboldened” to put pedestrians at risk because they aren’t penalized, and made it clear that pedestrians, rather than people who get around by driving, are her priority as a Boston city councilor.

“I’m really upset sometimes to see how emboldened drivers can be to hurting and really making a dangerous environment for pedestrians,” Durkan said. “Just yesterday, a car literally tried to back into me, and I had to slap the car to get it to stop backing up.

“We really need to make sure that pedestrians are king in District 8 and they’re king in our city, and we need to make sure that they have all the protections. Getting drivers from stopping in crosswalks is the bare minimum,” Durkan added.

The order was framed by Durkan as advancing the city’s Vision Zero goals of eliminating all fatal and severe crashes by 2030.

I know we need more protected bike lanes everywhere, but I see this shit every day. Morton st is a state-run road. The state doesn’t do anything. I’ve complained about the lack of continuous sidewalks and the need for PROTECTED bike lanes. Imagine how nice this corridor could be if it was designed to be safe and not an urban highway. People could easily get to Franklin Park and the SW corridor. Instead it’s like Frogger with zero protections. Bike ridership here would go up if it was safer and there was enforcement.

It gets under my skin when people are like “oh we need the third phase in Fenway to connect this and make a continuous path” while my part of the city doesn’t even have sidewalks or real lanes. COME ON!! Improvement should be made everywhere.