On a cold, blustery evening last Wednesday, a somber gathering took place on the Boston Harborwalk in front of the Children’s Museum as a tribute to victims of roadway violence.
This event, part of the international Ride of Silence, drew a diverse crowd of nearly a hundred participants, including bicyclists in high-visibility jackets, firefighters, local government officials, and concerned residents from the area.
The Boston Cyclists Union organized the event under the leadership of Anne Griepenburg, a dedicated volunteer focused on raising awareness about the dangers faced by pedestrians and cyclists alike.
“We are here in solidarity with folks who have lost their loved ones, with their families, with the first responders who respond to these incidents, and with our elected officials who are working to end these tragedies,” Griepenburg stated, emphasizing the collective grief and determination that brought everyone together.
The ride commenced at the Children’s Museum to honor Gracie Gancheva, a four-year-old girl who tragically lost her life after being struck by a driver last March near the intersection of Summer and Sleeper Streets.
Among the attendees was Gracie’s mother, Gina Gancheva, who traveled from her home in Denver to participate in the event.
Reflecting on her daughter, Gancheva shared, “She was just a few months shy of turning 5 years old. Gracie was the brightest star… She was the kindest, softest, the happiest child.”
In her poignant speech, Gancheva highlighted a staggering statistic: on an average day in the United States, 21 people are killed while walking by drivers.
She expressed the universal belief that such tragedies could never strike one’s family, a belief that became painfully shattered for her a year ago.
“While our world was crumbling, 20 other families all across the country on that exact same day experienced the exact same devastating loss,” she reflected, emphasizing the widespread impact of roadway violence.
Gancheva called for action, stating, “We are here tonight because we know we can do better. We must do better. This isn’t just about statistics; it’s about lives. It’s about preventing the heartache and the silence that far too many families are forced to endure.”
She urged attendees to recognize that the minor inconveniences of traffic signage are insignificant compared to the profound loss of loved ones.
Boston City Councilor Enrique Pepén also spoke at the memorial, sharing his experiences of recent vehicular killings within his district, including the tragic death of kindergartner Lens Arthur Joseph in Hyde Park.
“On the City Council, the number one issue I get every single day is transportation safety. I have residents who want more stop signs, speed humps, raised crosswalks, and better street conditions,” Pepén revealed, underlining the urgent need for improved road safety measures.
In response to ongoing public safety concerns, the Boston Cyclists Union proposed three immediate recommendations for the city authorities:
First, they suggested banning right turns at red lights, similar to measures implemented in Cambridge in 2022.
Second, they recommended eliminating the word
image source from：https://mass.streetsblog.org/2025/05/26/we-need-each-other-mourners-remember-crash-victims-demand-safer-streets
