Mass. Truck Side Guards
Two Cyclists were Killed in Cambridge in 2 Weeks
While Cambridge has made significant strides to ensure that streets are safe for all, it is clear that these measures are insufficient. The tragic deaths of Kim Stanley and Minh-Thi Nguyen are stark reminders of this. No one—whether a cyclist, pedestrian, or driver—deserves to die while commuting to work, school, or anywhere else. It is the council's duty to ensure the city's mission prioritizes everyone's safety. Every time I get on my bike, I am acutely aware of the dangers I face. Although I take measures to minimize these risks, the burden of safety should not fall solely on the most vulnerable road users.
Side Guards on Trucks
MassBike and Cambridge Bicycle Safety are advocating for common sense regulation to require side guards on large trucks registered in Massachusetts. This was prompted after the deaths of Minh-Thi Nguyen and Kim Stanley in two weeks in Cambridge; both deaths would most likely been prevented if the trucks had side guards. During a side-impact collision, side guards prevent Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) from being pulled underneath the truck's wheels. By blocking the open space between the front and rear wheels, side guards create a barrier that VRUs can bounce off, reducing the risk of being run over. Side guards can absorb some of the impact force in a collision, potentially reducing the severity of injuries.
Cambridge Bicycle Safety Vigil
After the two crashes, Cambridge Bicycle Safety, a local advocacy group, held a vigil in front of City Hall to remember the lives if Minh-Thi Nguyen and Kim Stanley, as well as serving as motivation to cyclists to advocate for bicycle safety. The vigil featured friends and family of Minh-Thi Nguyen as well as local elected officials such as Vice Mayor McGovern, city council, community leaders, and a minister from a local church.
