Transit advocates mourn Boston transportation planner killed while biking, demand action

Key Points:

• Hundreds of transit advocates gathered at Boston City Hall Plaza to honor Louisa Gag, a transportation planner killed by a truck while biking, and to demand urgent action on street safety projects from city officials.
• Gag, remembered as a dedicated advocate and colleague, died at the intersection of Parker and Tremont streets in Mission Hill; the driver involved has not been charged and the incident is under investigation.
• Mayor Michelle Wu, speaking at the vigil, pledged to accelerate street safety measures, including enforcement of traffic violations and installation of protected bike lanes, responding to calls for stronger accountability.
• The Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition and nearly 4,000 supporters have urged city and state leaders to advance street safety projects and appoint a permanent chief of streets to prevent further traffic deaths.
• Road safety advocates highlight that traffic fatalities remain high statewide, with 354 deaths last year and at least 156 so far this year, emphasizing the need for urgent policy and infrastructure changes to protect pedestrians and cyclists.