Transit advocates mourn Boston transportation planner killed while biking
5 hours ago
- Louisa Gag, a 36-year-old transportation planner, was killed while biking in Boston's Mission Hill neighborhood after being hit by a truck.
- Hundreds of transit advocates gathered at City Hall Plaza to honor Gag, wearing yellow clothing and holding yellow flowers to symbolize those lost to traffic violence.
- Gag was remembered as a cherished advocate, colleague, and friend who taught patience, grace, and joy.
- Mayor Michelle Wu spoke at the vigil, vowing to improve street safety through enforcement, protected bike lane infrastructure, and dedicated staff.
- The Massachusetts Vision Zero Coalition organized the vigil, calling for accelerated street-safety projects and accountability for preventable traffic deaths.
- Nearly 4,000 people signed an open letter to Mayor Wu demanding resumption of street safety projects, noting the irony that Gag was killed while working to fix city streets.
- Advocates highlight that Gag’s death occurred near a site flagged for safety improvements in 2023, with no timeline for completion.
- Statewide, 354 people were killed in traffic crashes last year, and at least 156 have died so far this year, prompting calls for more action to reduce traffic violence.