The Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition was formed in fall 2015 to advocate for the implementation of Vision Zero in Boston, and for the reduction of traffic injuries and deaths across Massachusetts. The coalition includes community-based organizations, nonprofits, businesses, civic groups and individuals representing communities across the state.
The group has successfully led efforts to build public support for Vision Zero, improve proposed street designs, influence legislation, hold city leaders accountable, and win additional Vision Zero funding and staff (Boston FY2018).
Here's a snapshot of what's been accomplished so far:
Timeline - Vision Zero in Massachusetts
April/June 2020
The Vision Zero Coalition released a statement and guidelines for municipalities about keeping people safe during COVID-19.
November 2019
The week after World Day of Remembrance, the House and the Senate voted to approve a Hands-Free bill, and Coalition members attended the ceremony at the State House when Governor Baker signed the bill into law.
November 2019
The Coalition organizes the World Day of Remembrance, when over 100 people turned out at the Massachusetts State House vigil to remember loved ones and to recognize the hundreds of people killed in traffic crashes across the state each year.
August 2019
The Coalition and the City of Cambridge jointly release a report on progress made on the City's Vision Zero Action Plan and next steps.
April 2019
The Vision Zero Coalition releases its 2018 Progress Report for the City of Boston.
January 2019
Coalition members organize a hugely impactful Day of Action for Road Safety at the State House. Governor Charlie Baker introduces a bill for traffic safety that includes banning handheld phones while driving.
November 2018
Coalition members organize the fourth annual World Day of Remembrance vigil in Boston. Families and friends of road traffic victims, advocates, and city leaders gather together at the State House.
July 2018
The Coalition organizes a rally at the State House to support the hands-free bill.
April 2018
Thanks in part to pressure from the Coalition, the City of Boston announces a $5 million increase for staffing and capital funding for Vision Zero.
April 2018
The Coalition publishes the second annual Vision Zero Progress Report, tracking progress in the City of Boston.
February 2018
The City of Cambridge releases its Vision Zero Action Plan.
January 2018
Coalition members co-hosted a legislative info session and day of action on distracted driving at the MA State House to educate and advocate for a hands-free bill.
December 2017
In collaboration with the Vision Zero Network, the Coalition releases "Vision Zero Action Plan Guidelines", a resource to help Vision Zero communities build an implementation plan that is concrete and action driven, while being responsive to the context and needs of the community served.
November 2017
For the third year, the Coalition organizes the World Day of Remembrance bike ride and vigil. Families and friends of road traffic victims, advocates, and city leaders gather together at the State House.
September 2017
The City of Somerville joins Boston and Cambridge in making a commitment to Vision Zero.
July 2017
Boston selects five neighborhoods (from 47 applications) for their 2018 Neighborhood Slow Streets Program.
July 2017
City of Cambridge uses funding from participatory budgeting to install a two-way separated bike lane on Brattle Street from Eliot Street to Mason Street and a one-way separated bike lane on Mass Ave. between Trowbridge Street and Quincy Street.
June 2017
The Massachusetts Senate passes a bill banning the use of handheld mobile phones while driving (H.3660). The bill prohibits a driver from holding a phone while talking, inputting an address into a GPS, or composing or reading an electronic message.
June 2017
Coalition members provide testimony to the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Transportation in support of the Omnibus Bill - An Act to Reduce Traffic Fatalities (S1905/H2877).
June 2017
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announces a $1 million dollar increase to the Vision Zero Capital Program and additional transportation engineering capacity for FY18.
May 2017
The Coalition writes a letter to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, responding to victim-blaming comments that he made during a live WGBH radio interview. Read the full letter here.
January 2017
The default speed limit in the City of Boston drops from 30 to 25 MPH.
December 2016
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signs the "Duck Boat Bill" into law, requiring Duck Boat vehicles to be equipped with "blind spot cameras and proximity sensors."
December 2016
The Coalition releases a Vision Zero Progress Report grading Boston's progress on their first year action plan.
November 2016
For the second year, the Coalition organizes the World Day of Remembrance bike ride and vigil. Coalition members place cut-out silhouettes around the city to remember victims and bring attention to crash sites.
November 2016
Improvements to Mass Ave in Boston are implemented, including improved signal timing and intersections, and parking-protected bike lanes.
September 2016
The Coalition holds a "Streets Are for People Rally" at Boston City Hall, gathering advocates and friends and family members of traffic crash victims together to call on city leaders to prioritize safer options for people to walk, bike, and take transit.
July 2016
After a young woman is killed by a Duck Boat while driving a motorbike in April 2016, the Coalition works with legislators and the victim's family to push for a bill requiring Duck Boat vehicles to be equipped with "blind spot cameras and proximity sensors."
June 2016
The MA Vision Zero Coalition gets more than 200 people out to a critical public meeting to support improvements for Mass Ave.
March 2016
The City of Cambridge commits to Vision Zero and adopts a Complete Streets policy. City leaders look to the Coalition for guidance while drafting their action plan.
December 2015
City of Boston releases their Vision Zero Action Plan, highlighting priority projects in areas identified as "high-crash" sites and two neighborhoods as pilots for the Slow Streets program.
November 2015
The Coalition holds the first World Day of Remembrance bike ride and vigil at the State House. World Day of Remembrance is an international event to honor those who have been injured or killed by a road traffic crash and bring awareness to the epidemic of traffic deaths locally and around the world.
September 2015
LivableStreets convenes the MA Vision Zero Coalition to advocate for the implementation of Vision Zero in Boston, and for the adoption of Vision Zero throughout Massachusetts. The coalition provides feedback and guidance on Boston's action plan.
May 2015
The Vision Zero Boston Task Force is established. Led by BTD, the group immediately identifies priority issues and locations on which to focus the city's resources and attention. The Task Force also conducts crash site visits and makes recommendations for improvements. Several members of the Coalition sit on Boston's Task Force.
March 2015
Mayor Marty Walsh announces that the City of Boston is committed to Vision Zero, with the goal of eliminating fatal and serious traffic crashes by 2030.
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