From Ruthann Rudel and Michael Davidson, on April 18, 2018: District Attorney Marian T. Ryan’s decision not to seek charges in the death of bicyclist Bernard “Joe” Lavins (“Report out on death of bicyclist Lavins, turning eyes to earlier fatality in Inman,” April 2, 2018)  is fundamentally in conflict with Vision Zero policies adopted by Cambridge, Boston and many other cities. The investigation places all blame on the victim when the facts are more consistent with the truck driver failing to see a full-grown man on a bicycle in front of him for at least 50 feet before striking him.

In an astonishing statement, the district attorney further asserts that road design contributed in no way to Joe’s death. The high crash rates in Porter Square tell you otherwise. A road design that creates conditions where an inattentive driver can so easily kill a cyclist is bad design. Cambridge must act now to protect people walking and biking.

Ruthann Rudel and Michael Davidson are Cambridge residents and volunteers with the Cambridge Bicycle Safety group.

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