Bicycle Accidents
Dedham Times Features Breakstone, White & Gluck’s Bike Helmet Donation for Kids
Breakstone, White & Gluck of Boston was recently mentioned in a Dedham Times article about the Dedham Bike Rodeo in August. Breakstone, White & Gluck and our Project KidSafe campaign participated for the seventh year and donated more than 100 helmets to the kids. Breakstone, White & Gluck is committed to helping children ride safely on bikes and protect against head injuries. Founded in 1992, our firm specializes in personal injury and medical malpractice cases across Massachusetts.
Article courtesy of The Dedham Times. Click link for full 2-page article.
Finding the Top 50 Car Crash Locations on Cape Cod
If you regularly travel to Cape Cod, you know to expect traffic slowdowns and use caution near the Bourne and Sagamore bridges. Now, a new report sheds light on just how many accidents really happen at Cape Cod rotaries and intersections.
The Cape Cod Commission released its, “Barnstable County High Crash Locations,” report last month. The report identifies 50 of the most dangerous intersections and several other rankings. These rankings were developed through analysis of 2012-2016 traffic data from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and local police departments. The commission collected data on the number of crashes and Equivalent Property Damage Only (EPDO) accidents. Traffic data typically counts EPDO accidents, along with car accidents resulting in injury or death, to provide more context on traffic conditions.
This report confirms that many Cape Cod car accidents are happening on the rotaries in Bourne and Buzzards Bay. Many are also happening on the mid-Cape, in Barnstable, Dennis and Yarmouth. But the report provides insight on just where motor vehicle accidents are happening and how close these accidents are happening to your home, your work, your vacation rental or where you take your daily walk. In some cases, you may want to change which highway exits you use.
If you read the report, you will see there is already good news in some cases; the state and local towns have already implemented improvements to antiquated roads or are planning updates.
But you should also take away the point that it’s important to travel slowly on Cape Cod. This is a special region with beautiful beaches, where residents, vacationers and workers converge each summer from different experiences. As a driver, you have a responsibility to use reasonable care and you give yourself more options by slowing down and putting down your cell phone. Recognize that during the summer season, a safe speed will likely fall below the posted speed limit. Ultimately, your goal is to give other drivers, along with cyclists and pedestrians, adequate room if they need to move over, turn or respond to traffic conditions.
In addition, distracted driving and drunk driving accidents cause many injuries on Cape Cod. Make good decisions. If you drink, stay home or use a designated driver system.
Cape Cod Rotaries with the Most Traffic Crashes
Among rotaries and circular intersections, the Bourne Rotary at Route 28, Sandwich Road and Trowbridge Road saw the highest number of crashes. 445 car crashes were reported over the 5-year period. Safety improvements were completed in 2015. The Mashpee Rotary (at Route 28, Route 151 and Great Neck Road) had the second highest number of Cape Cod crashes.
Two other major intersections in Bourne came in third and fourth, the Otis Rotary at Route 28, Connery Avenue and Lake Drive, and the Belmont Rotary in Bourne at Route 28, Main Street and the Buzzards Bay Bypass. There were 257 Barnstable car crashes in Hyannis, at the Barnstable Airport rotary along Route 28.
Other Top Crash Intersections on Cape Cod Intersections
1) Top Dennis Car Crash Intersection
Route 134 (East-West Dennis Road) at Patriot Square/Market Place
170 crashes and 254 EPDO accidents
2) Top Barnstable Car Accident Intersection
Route 28 (Falmouth Road) and Bearses Way
153 crashes and 285 EPDO accidents
3) Second Highest Traffic Crash Location in Barnstable
Route 28 (Iyannough Road) at Yarmouth Road
136 crashes and 260 EPDO accidents
4) Top Yarmouth Car Accident Location
Route 28 at Old Main Street/North Main Street
106 crashes, 212 EPDO accidents
5) Dennis Traffic Crash Location with Second Highest Number of Crashes
Route 134 (East-West Dennis Road ( at Upper County Road)
Top Crash Locations Along Route 6
1) Dennis, Exit 9A/9B on Route 6 at Route 134
2) Bourne, Exit 1A Route 6 (Pilgrims Highway) at Scenic Highway
3) Barnstable, Exit 6, Route 6 at Route 132, departing toward Barnstable Municipal Airport, the Cape Cod Mall and the Steamship Authority
4) Yarmouth, Exit 7 Route 6 at Willow Street
5) Harwich, Exit 10 at Route 6 at Pleasant Lake Avenue
Where Fatal Car Crashes Happen on Cape Cod
From 2012-2016, there were 86 fatal crashes on Cape Cod, according to the report. Three communities recorded just about half of these deaths.
Barnstable, which includes Hyannis, Marston Mills and other villages, recorded 19 deaths. There were 13 deaths in Yarmouth car accidents. Meanwhile, Falmouth saw 12 traffic fatalities.
Where Cyclists and Pedestrians are Vulnerable on Cape Cod
- Along Route 28 in downtown Falmouth, Hyannis, Yarmouth, Chatham and Orleans
- Buzzards Bay in Bourne
- Station Avenue in Yarmouth and Route 134 in Dennis
- Downtown Orleans
- Commercial Street in Provincetown
The commission also noted that bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents often go unreported. This may happen when a cyclist or pedestrian decides they were not seriously injured and do not need medical care.
We share shortened versions of the Cape Cod accident locations. Learn more by reading the Cape Cod Commission’s report.
Free Legal Consultation – Cape Cod Car Accident Lawyers
With decades of experience, Breakstone, White & Gluck fights for the rights of victims of negligent or reckless driving on Cape Cod and across Massachusetts. If you have been injured by someone else’s negligence, contact our Cape Cod car accident attorneys and learn your legal rights.
While there are many lawyers based on Cape Cod, be cautious. Resist the urge to hire the first lawyer you speak to. This is a major decision. Before you hire an attorney, carefully review the facts of your car crash with them. Learn about an attorney’s specific experience handling car accident cases in Massachusetts. Some lawyers may concentrate only on car accidents. Some may only have a few years of experience. Others may not have experience taking certain types of cases to trial. These details matter when you hire a motor vehicle accident lawyer. Because you never know whether the insurance company will look to settle or attempt to take a case to court.
At Breakstone, White & Gluck, our attorneys bring over 100 years combined experienced to our clients. Our partners founded our firm in 1992 and we are known for our extensive experience in the handling of car accident cases, as well as truck crashes and bus accidents. Each year, we also represent cyclists and pedestrians after serious injuries, settling many cases. But we are committed to taking cases to trial when necessary to achieve the best result for our clients.
Please read more on our case results page or from our client reviews.
If you have been injured by someone else’s negligence, we invite you to contact Breakstone, White & Gluck for a free legal consultation: 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676 or use our contact form.
Breakstone, White & Gluck Supports Mattapan on Wheels 2019
Breakstone, White & Gluck was proud to support the Mattapan on Wheels event this weekend. We only wish the temperature had been more forgiving for cyclists riding for such a good cause. This ride is a terrific cause in our book!
The Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition organizes Mattapan on Wheels each year to encourage physical activity, as well as safe cycling on Mattapan streets and the Lower Neponset River Trail. Many Mattapan children take their first ride at this event and receive their first bicycle helmet from Breakstone, White & Gluck’s Project KidSafe campaign. Our law firm donates 100 bicycle helmets each year to encourage safety. More experienced cyclists help children and others fit the helmets and get them ready to ride.
This event gives cyclists access to other key safety resources too. Boston police officers and community volunteers come out to lead the ride and follow in back. There are all skill levels here and cyclists can choose their ride and challenge themselves with a new route each year. Other community groups are on hand to do ABC checks – air, brakes and chain. Then, the ride usually wraps up and everyone heads over to the Annual Scoops and Hoops event nearby.
The event is the group’s primary fundraiser. More than 50 cyclists still turned out this weekend, despite the heat and raised over $3,200 for bike-related activities. But this is roughly a third of the typical participation and Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition is still collecting donations. You can learn more from the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition’s website. The website is under construction, but you can find the contact information and social media sites at the bottom of the page.
Photo credits: Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition Facebook page.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck
The Boston personal injury lawyers at Breakstone, White & Gluck have over 100 years combined experience fighting for the rights of those who have been injured by the negligence or wrongdoing of others in Massachusetts. Our attorneys have won numerous record-setting verdicts and settlements have been recognized on the Top 100 New England Super Lawyers and Top 100 Massachusetts Super Lawyers lists. We founded our Project KidSafe campaign in 2013 to encourage children to wear helmets every time they ride to prevent head injuries in bicycle accidents.
If you have been injured or have lost a loved one due to someone’s negligence, learn your legal rights. For a free legal consultation, contact us at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676 or use our contact form.
Breakstone, White & Gluck and Quincy Police Give Away 100 Free Bicycle Helmets to Students at Merrymount School
Quincy Police officers visited Merrymount School last week, speaking to children about bicycle safety in the city, and making the critical commitment to wear a bicycle helmet every time they ride. Quincy police officers talked to students at all grade levels, then gave away 100 bicycle helmets donated by Breakstone, White & Gluck’s Project KidSafe campaign.
We are pleased to make this donation just in time for summer. This is the third year Breakstone, White & Gluck has partnered with the Quincy Police Department to encourage children and families to wear bicycle helmets to protect against head injuries. Breakstone, White & Gluck founded our Project KidSafe campaign in 2013, with a goal of helping children ride safely. Our attorneys have since given away more than 25,000 bicycle helmets to help children in the Boston area and across Massachusetts.
Photos are courtesy of the Quincy Police Department.
How to Fit a Bicycle Helmet
Attorney David W. White fitting helmets at Framingham Earth Day 2019. Part of Breakstone, White & Gluck’s Project KidSafe campaign to prevent head injuries.
While many people enjoy cycling, very few enjoy the process of selecting and fitting a bicycle helmet. The challenge is even greater for parents who have to find helmets for their children.
Breakstone, White & Gluck launched our Project KidSafe campaign in 2013 to help children and families, along with other cyclists, overcome some of the challenges. Read some of our tips for getting started with a bicycle helmet which fits and protects:
- Before you shop, find a flexible tape measure and measure around your head. Measure from about an inch above your eyebrows.
- Rather than shopping online, try to purchase a helmet at a local bicycle shop. Ask the staff to help you fit it properly.
- Before you purchase, ask if the helmet meets the safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
- Don’t share bicycle helmets. Each cyclist should have their own helmet.
- Store your helmet inside and avoid exposing it to heat in sunlight unless you are wearing it. Don’t leave it in your car for any extended period.
- Replace bicycle helmets when they become worn or if you or your child outgrow yours. You may want to consider buying a new helmet every three years. From the outside, your helmet may appear to be in good condition. Yet the protective material inside can deteriorate without any visible signs.
- Immediately replace bicycle helmets which hit the ground in a bicycle accident or fall.
- Carry your bicycle helmet if you want to use a bikeshare. Make it a rule not to rent a bike without a helmet.
- Plan ahead: Keep an extra bicycle helmet at work or at home.
- Remember, parents who wear helmets encourage children to wear helmets.
- Take children to bicycle safety events in the community to encourage their interest in cycling and safety.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck
Breakstone, White & Gluck is a Boston personal injury law firm which represents those injured by the negligence and wrongdoing of others across Massachusetts. After more than two decades of representing cyclists who have been injured, the firm’s partners launched the Project KidSafe campaign to help prevent injuries on bikes and encourage children to wear helmets throughout their lives. The firm specializes in all areas of personal injury law.
Learn more about our attorneys.
Learn more about the Project KidSafe campaign.
Watch a video demonstrating how to fit a bicycle helmet.
Breakstone, White & Gluck Supports Bike Safety During Bike Month
Breakstone, White & Gluck was proud to support bicycle safety during Bay State Bike Week and Bike Month again in 2019. All three of our partners – Attorney David W. White, Attorney Marc L. Breakstone and Attorney Ronald E. Gluck – participated, giving away bicycle helmets as part of our Project KidSafe campaign. Our goal: to encourage children to wear bicycle helmets at all times to protect against head injuries. Now in our seventh year, Breakstone, White & Gluck has donated over 25,000 bicycle helmets to children in Massachusetts.
Boston Bike to Work Day
Attorney David W. White and Attorney Marc L. Breakstone were back on Boston City Hall Plaza on May 17th, as Boston celebrated Bike to Work Day. This was our 5th year out on City Hall Plaza during Bike Week. Attorney White fitted about 70 helmets for cyclists over two hours and we got a special surprise – getting to meet Tim Wakefield! He was nice enough to sign one of our Project KidSafe helmets. We also got to visit with other friends, including Lee Toma of Bike Milton and Galen Mook, executive director of MassBike.
Attorney David W. White and Attorney Marc L. Breakstone with Tim Wakefield, World Series Champion Pitcher for the Red Sox ’04 and ’07. Now NESN studio analyst for the Red Sox. Boston Bike to Work Day, May 17, 2019.
Attorney David W. White (center) with Lee Toma of Bike Milton (left) and Galen Mook, executive director of Mass Bike (right). Boston Bike to Work Day, May 17th, 2019.
Our reminder to cyclists: Inspect your helmet regularly to make sure it’s in riding condition. As a rule, replace your helmet at least once every three years; you may need to do this sooner, especially if you ride every day. And always replace your helmet immediately if you are involved in a bicycle accident or fall. Please visit this website for more bicycle helmet safety tips.
Cambridge Police Department
Breakstone, White & Gluck was pleased to donate 200 bicycle helmets to the Cambridge Police Department for the fourth year. Attorney David W. White and Attorney Ronald E. Gluck recently visited with Cambridge police officers who work to educate the public about bicycle safety laws on a daily basis. The City of Cambridge works to promote bicycle safety and has been recognized as a Gold-Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. More than 100 Cambridge police officers – or more than one third of the city’s 282 sworn in officers – have been trained on bike patrol to help keep roads safe.
The City of Cambridge announced our donation during Bay State Bike Week.
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- From left: Attorney Ronald E. Gluck (left) and Attorney David W. White (right) with Kessen Green, director of outreach and community programs for the Cambridge Police Department.
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- Attorney Ronald E. Gluck with Officer Matthew Mahoney.
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- Attorney David W. White with Kessen Green, the department’s director of outreach & community programs.
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- Breakstone, White & Gluck donated bicycle helmets to Cambridge Police Department. Left to right: Officer Matthew Mahoney; Deputy Superintendent Rob Lowe; Kessen Green, the department’s director of outreach & community programs; Attorney Ronald E. Gluck; Attorney David W. White; Sgt. Steven Magalhees and Detective Gustavo Lopez.
Quincy Police Department
Attorney David W. White with Quincy police officers. From left, Officer Greg Mar, Lt. Robert Bina, Officer Matthew Miller and Officer Greg Hartnett.
For the third year, Breakstone, White & Gluck is pleased to partner with the Quincy Police Department to encourage bike safety in the city. Quincy Police announced our donation of 200 bicycle helmets during Bay State Bike Week. Officers will use the helmets to benefit children through community programming. Each year, some of the helmets are given away through programs such as the annual DARE camp for 5th graders. Other helmets are given away at smaller gatherings, such as Coffee with a Cop, a program that allows residents to meet police officers and share their concerns and questions in an informal setting. Read the announcement on the Quincy Police Department website.
Everett Police Donation 2019
For the fourth year, Breakstone, White & Gluck donated more than 100 children’s bicycle helmets to the Everett Police Department. Officers gave away the helmets free to children and families at the Kids to Park Day at the Swan Street Park on May 18th.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck – Boston Personal Injury Lawyers
Breakstone, White & Gluck has been recognized as one of the best personal injury law firms in Boston, by our clients, other lawyers and attorney rating services, such as Super Lawyers, U.S. News Best Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell. Our attorneys have also been recognized for our Project KidSafe campaign by the League of American Bicyclists, which has named Breakstone, White & Gluck a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Business. This is a special recognition. Just 36 businesses have been earned recognition in Massachusetts and just two law firms across New England.
We have also been recognized by the City of Boston, where we have donated helmets to various programs, including Boston Bike to Work Day, along with Boston Bikes’ Roll It Forward, Boston Bikes’ youth instruction programs and the Boston Police Department. Attorney David W. White has volunteered his time fitting helmets and Boston Bikes has recognized him as a Volunteer of the Year.
Breakstone, White & Gluck specializes in all areas of personal injury law. We hope you are never injured, but if you are, it is important to learn your legal rights for seeking compensation. For a free legal consultation, contact Breakstone, White & Gluck at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676. You can also use our contact form.
Lyft Works to Prevent Dooring Injuries to Bicyclists with New App Feature
Drivers are encouraged to watch for cyclists before they open vehicle doors because they could cause a dooring accident and seriously injure a cyclist.
In 2016, Cambridge resident Michael Charney began to push the Dutch Reach method for safely exiting vehicles in Massachusetts. His advocacy has greatly raised awareness about the technique, which encourages drivers and passengers to take a few simple steps and look for cyclists before opening their car doors (you can watch a quick video demonstration on his website). The goal is to prevent dooring injuries to cyclists. Now, he and other cyclists in the Boston area are celebrating another push forward: the rideshare company Lyft has added a notification to its app, alerting passengers stepping out of vehicles to look for cyclists.
“I’m delighted to see that Lyft has embraced the Dutch Reach, and the term Dutch Reach,” Charney told The Boston Globe.
Lyft has added the new feature in response to feedback from transportation advocates all over the country. In Massachusetts, a coalition of Boston-area cycling groups and committees teamed up in February and sent letters to both Uber and Lyft, reminding them that drivers have a responsibility not to obstruct bike lanes under Massachusetts law (M.G.L c. 89 § 4D). More than a dozen groups signed on, including the Somerville Bicycle Committee, MassBike, Boston Cyclists Union, Arlington Bicycle Advisory Commission, Medford Bicycle Advisory Commission and Bikes Not Bombs.
The coalition had called for the rideshare companies to take six steps:
- Create the new app feature, which pushes warnings to passengers as they step out.
- Educate drivers on their responsibility not to block bike lanes.
- Adopt procedures to ensure drivers obey bike lane laws and create serious consequences for violations, including loss of rideshare privileges.
- Share data regarding bike lane violations by rideshare drivers with the state and local communities.
- Add a user feedback section related to bicycle safety.
- Work with cities and towns to promote use of Loading Zones and Passenger Drop-Off Zones.
Boston and other major cities have already started creating specialized zones where rideshare passengers can safely board and exit. In March, the City of Boston announced a pilot program creating a dedicated rideshare activity zone in Fenway. Between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m., four spaces along Boylston Street, two north of Kimarnock Street and two south. During other hours, the spaces revert to metered parking. While part of the goal is preventing rideshare accidents, part of the goal is streamlining traffic flow to make things more predictable for rideshare drivers and residents.
While Lyft has added the new push notification to prevent bike dooring, both major rideshare companies have heard concerns about bicycle accidents and dooring injuries. Both companies also offer different perspectives than in the past. Both companies purchased bikeshare operating businesses to compliment their rideshare services in 2018. Uber acquired Jump and Lyft bought Motivate, becoming the largest bikeshare operator in the U.S. – and Boston. As part of the transaction, Lyft essentially became the new operator of BlueBikes, the regional bikeshare serving Boston, Somerville, Cambridge and Brookline. BlueBikes is still owned by the municipalities.
In 2018, Blue Cross Blue Shield took over as title sponsor. New Balance had been the original founding sponsor of the bike share in 2011, when it launched as Hubway (Some background: this isn’t the first time ownership of the regional bikeshare operating company has changed. Back in 2011, the original operator of Hubway was Alta Bicycles, which was then bought by Motivate, which operated the regional bike share from 2015 to last year).
Uber has not announced plans to join the bikeshare business in Massachusetts, but both companies – who went public earlier this year – have expressed interest in offering scooter rentals. Several companies have expressed interest in scooters, including Lime, the major operator of dockless bikes in the Boston area. Many companies are waiting for Massachusetts lawmakers to approve legislation clarifying their rights to rent out scooters here.
Local communities regulate bikeshares. But rideshare safety regulations come from the state. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed the state’s first bill regulating rideshare vehicles into law in 2016. This bill required rideshare drivers to purchase minimum levels of auto insurance and required background checks for the first.
Industry regulations were a start. Now attention must be paid to safety and what’s happening on the street. We have heard from the cyclists. Other initial research has already shown that ridesharing is associated with a 2-3 percent increase in fatal traffic accidents in U.S. cities (Source: Sept. 2018 paper presented at the Stigler Center for the Study of Economy and the State at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business).
Breakstone, White & Gluck – Boston Personal Injury Lawyers
Breakstone, White & Gluck is based in Government Center in Boston. Our personal injury lawyers specialize in representing those injured in car accidents, bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents, including those involving rideshare vehicles. For a free legal consultation, contact our attorneys and learn your rights at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676. You can also send us a message use our contact form.
Breakstone, White & Gluck Begins 2019 Project KidSafe Campaign
Attorneys’ Project KidSafe Campaign Gives Away 400 Children’s Bicycle Helmets in First Week of Community Events
Breakstone, White & Gluck donated more than 120 free bicycle helmets to children and families at Framingham Earth Day on April 27, 2019. Above: Attorney David W. White with young cyclists who received helmets.
Breakstone, White & Gluck kicked off our Project KidSafe campaign in April, continuing on with our commitment to put bicycle helmets on Boston-area children who need one to prevent head injuries.
We always look forward to this time of year, giving away the helmets, talking to children and families about riding a bike (some of the kids are pretty excited!) and working with our community partners.
This year, our attorneys are partnering with more than 40 community organizations, including police departments, schools and bicycle committees. While our attorneys donate the helmets, these groups are critical in getting the helmets to children and encouraging helmet use. Many of these groups organize community events, where children can receive a free helmet, have it fitted specifically for them and ask questions about bicycle safety and traffic laws. These events are a lot of fun, teaching core bicycle skills and giving children the chance to interact with other cyclists, police officers and the community in a positive way. Children also have the opportunity to see others wearing bicycle helmets, which reinforces our message that helmets are essential.
Breakstone, White & Gluck founded our Project KidSafe campaign in 2013, with a goal of protecting children on bikes. This is our 7th year in 2019 and we plan to donate more than 4,000 bicycle helmets to children in Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Everett and other communities. To date, we have now donated more than 25,000 bicycle helmets to protect children.
These were the first few Project KidSafe helmet giveaways, most taking place on Saturday, April 27th:
Arlington Pierce School
Breakstone, White & Gluck donated 60 Project KidSafe helmets to fifth graders at Pierce School in Arlington, as part of its annual bike safety day during the week of April 22nd. This was the third year of the donation and our fifth year of supporting bike safety events in Arlington Public Schools. Our attorneys, MassBike and Arlington Police usually come out to talk about Massachusetts laws for cyclists, safety tips and just why wearing a helmet is important. Our attorneys were unable to participate this year due to scheduling, but we are told it was another event filled with valuable information and the students asked many good questions.
Watertown Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee
The Watertown Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee were out on Saturday, April 27th, giving away roughly 70 bicycle helmets to children at Little League Opening Day. This marks the fifth year we have partnered with the committee to get helmets to local children. In the past, committee members have reached out to children with helmets at other community events, but this was their second visit to Little League Opening Day and they hope to continue on with this giveaway. Terrific work by the committee! Read more.
Westborough Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Westborough families turned out strong for Healthy Kids Day at the Boroughs Family Branch of the YMCA of Central Massachusetts, which also took place on April 27th. Members of the Westborough Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee had a busy day, fitting more than 90 children for free bicycle helmets. This is familiar ground for committee members, who have volunteered their time for the past 5 years giving away the bicycle helmets and talking to families about safe riding. We thank them for their time and dedication each year.
Medford Bicycle Advisory Commission
The Medford Bicycle Advisory Commission (also known as Medford Bikes) gave our Project KidSafe helmets to children who needed one the Medford Indoor Bike Rodeo, which was held at the city’s recreation center. The April 27th event was put on in partnership with the Medford Recreation Center and Massachusetts Safe Routes to School. Pat Bibbens of Medford Bikes led the children through skills training. This was the third year Breakstone, White & Gluck and our Project KidSafe have donated bicycle helmets in partnership with Medford Bikes. In past years, the committee has also distributed our Project KidSafe helmets at community events at the Medford Public Library and the town’s annual Medford Day. Great work this year!
Framingham Earth Day
At Framingham Earth Day, Attorney David W. White and our volunteers, Attorney Denise Murphy (who happens to be David’s wife) and Framingham cyclist Bill Hanson fit more than 120 bicycle helmets for children on Saturday, April 27th. We set up next to the Bruce Freeman Trail tent, so cyclists had the opportunity to learn about the developing trail and the importance of wearing a helmet in one stop. Thanks to both of our volunteers!
Check out more of our photos from our Framingham Earth Day donation and follow our Project KidSafe campaign on Facebook.
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- Framingham cyclist Bill Hanson helps Attorney David W. White out at the Project KidSafe tent. We fit more than 120 kids at Framingham Earth Day this year!
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- Attorney David W. White and two young cyclists who received free bicycle helmets from our Project KidSafe campaign.
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- Our volunteer, Attorney Denise Murphy helps out at our Project KidSafe tent.
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- Attorney David W. White fitting a helmet.
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- Attorney David W. White chats with a young child about helmets.
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- Our Project KidSafe tent! This marks the 6th year we have set up at Framingham Earth Day.
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- Attorney David W. White fitting a child’s helmet.
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- Attorney David W. White explains how a bicycle helmet should fit.
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- Attorney David W. White and Attorney Denise Murphy fitting helmets.
Breakstone, White & Gluck Donates Bike Helmets for Little League Opening Day in Watertown
As part of our Project KidSafe campaign, Breakstone, White & Gluck was pleased to donate bicycle helmets in Watertown over the weekend. The Watertown Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee set up outside the Little League fields and reached out to children and parents, answering safety questions and fitting free helmets for children who needed one. Committee members gave away roughly 70 of our Project KidSafe helmets.
This is the fifth year Breakstone, White & Gluck has donated bicycle helmets in partnership with the Watertown Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee. Over the years, Breakstone, White & Gluck has given more than 500 Project KidSafe bicycle helmets to children in the Watertown community.
(Photo credit: Watertown Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee Facebook)
Breakstone, White & Gluck launched its Project KidSafe campaign in 2013, with a goal of keeping children safe on bikes in Massachusetts. We have since donated over 25,000 bicycle helmets to children in partnership with local bicycle committees, police departments, schools and other community organizations. Bicycle committees are a key part of our campaign, helping children and families select and fit helmets at fun and casual gatherings alongside friends and neighbors.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck
Breakstone, White & Gluck is a Boston personal injury law firm which represents individuals who have been injured by the negligence and wrongdoing of others in Massachusetts. With more than 100 years combined experience, our lawyers are recognized throughout Massachusetts and New England for their work representing those injured. We are committed to supporting bicycle safety, supporting MassBike, Boston Bicyclists Union and other Boston-area bicycle clubs.
To learn more, visit Breakstone, White & Gluck’s website or our Project KidSafe campaign.
Safer Ride for Cyclists After Cambridge Votes to Expand Protected Bike Lanes
Bike lanes in Inman Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Photo credit: www.bwglaw.com.
Over the past few years, there has been a growing sense of excitement about safer cycling in Cambridge. With a vote this week, the Cambridge City Council has signaled there is more to come.
The City of Cambridge has many bike lanes, but in 2017, city officials accelerated development of protected bike lanes, which place a physical barrier or extra room and road markings between cyclists and traffic. The city did this with a heavy heart, after fatal bicycle crashes claimed the lives of two cyclists in 2016. One of the cyclists was killed in Inman Square in a dooring crash; the other died in a bicycle collision with a truck in Porter Square.
Then, during 2017, the City of Cambridge rolled out new bike lanes in key travel corridors, including Brattle Street in Harvard Square and Massachusetts Avenue, near Cambridge Rindge & Latin, more than a mile altogether. The city finished the year with 25.8 miles of bike lanes, including 4.2 miles of separated bike lanes, according to a report by Wicked Local Cambridge.
Since then, cyclists and safety groups, such as Cambridge Bicycle Safety, have urged the Cambridge City Council to do more. This week, the City Council approved the Cycling Safety Ordinance, paving the way for more protected bike lanes.
The ordinance calls on the city to add protected bike lanes when roads identified by the Cambridge Bicycle Plan are reconstructed. Once complete, the bicycle plan will create an impressive 20-mile network of protected bike lanes.
The ordinance means residents no longer have to lobby for protected bike lanes when roads are rebuilt. Until now, city officials have had to grant permission on a street-by-street basis or not at all.
There may still be some debate though. The city manager can ultimately veto construction of a protected bike lane based on factors such as a street’s physical layout or the costs. If this happens, the manager must document the reason in writing.
Cambridge officials say they are unaware of any other communities in Massachusetts or across the U.S. which have adopted such a far-reaching policy to create protected bike lanes.
We suspect bicycle committees and planners far and wide will be watching. Protected bike lanes improve safety for cyclists, but the impact goes further by giving everyone on the road clear markings to follow. For drivers and their passengers, these markings are visual reminders not to drive, park or open vehicle doors in bike lanes or they could cause a bicycle crash in Cambridge or any other U.S. city.
StreetsBlog reported on a 2012 study on bike lanes published by the American Journal of Public Health. The study found cyclists on streets with bike lanes had a 50 percent lower chance of injury over streets without bike lanes. Meanwhile, protected bike lanes had the potential to reduce injuries by as much as 90 percent, which is a tremendous figure. Even multi-use paths and off-street trails had a lesser impact, reducing injury by 60 percent compared to roads with bike infrastructure.
About Breakstone, White & Gluck – Boston and Cambridge Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Breakstone, White & Gluck specializes in representing cyclists and pedestrians who have been injured by the negligence of drivers and rideshare vehicles in Massachusetts. If you have been injured, the most important step you can take is to learn your legal rights for seeking compensation. For a free legal consultation, contact our Cambridge bicycle accident attorneys at Breakstone, White & Gluck at 800-379-1244 or 617-723-7676 or use our contact form.