BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Bikers and walkers in Boston area gathered to push lawmakers to make changes to stop traffic deaths.
The "Ride for your life 2025" event was held on Sunday. Participants met at Cambridge Common and biked to the State House to demonstrate outside.
Participants warned about distracted driving and its dangers to pedestrians as well as other drivers.
"Over 370 people were hit and killed on roadways in Massachusetts last year, and Massachusetts is a safe state in the U.S.," Brendan Kearney, Executive Director of WalkMassachusetts said.
"Everyone, put the damn phone down. Nothing is worth it; this family has gone through hell," another said.
Emily Stein, with the Safe Roads Alliance, and many others at the event recalled those close to them who they lost due to traffic deaths.
"My dad was killed in 2011, and time does heal in some ways, but I miss him every single day," Stein said. "You have to think, if I was going faster, if I was looking down at my phone, if I wasn't paying attention, I could have killed them."
They hope by speaking out, lawmakers will put what they call "common sense traffic regulations" in place.
There are two bills that organizers hope to be passed: one to install traffic cameras across Massachusetts, and another to put more safety requirements in place on commercial trucks.
"Our stories will help change people's behavior too, but it doesn't get easier," Stein said.
"Speak up because they're listening, pay attention because our voices hold them accountable," another said.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.