Just weeks after the crash that killed cycling advocate Louisa Gag while riding her bike to City Hall, Mayor Michelle Wu has announced a new interim chief of streets.
Chris Osgood is new to the role in this administration, but the City Hall veteran previously held the position under former Mayor Marty Walsh.
Mayor Wu announced the changes in a recent letter to constituents, citing Gag’s death as the reason for the action.
Just a few weeks ago on July 9, Gag was struck and killed by a person driving a truck on Tremont Street near Roxbury Crossing. She was 36 years old.
Gag dedicated her career to ensuring that the city was safer and more accessible. Her tragic death has sparked renewed calls for the city to make Boston streets safer.
“Residents deserve clarity about our vision for streets that are safe, beautiful, and family-friendly,” said Wu in her letter. “I am writing today to detail our immediate response to the crash that took Louisa’s life, our approach to delivering street safety improvements for all roadway users, and the work ahead.”
The first step on that plan is naming Osgood to the chief position, and moving Tali Robbins, deputy chief of policy, to support the Streets Cabinet full-time.
Advocates in Boston said they’re happy with the immediate response.
“This change is something that the mayor’s office we know took time in creating with respect to the call for safe streets,” said Tiffany Cogell of the Boston Cyclists Union. “We’re happy to see this change.”
“Knowing Chris Osgood’s experience, he’s worked in so many capacities with other mayors. I think like he brings a lot of experience. He brings the right kind of experience,” said Maha Aslam of Livable Streets Alliance.
Both advocates see it as a good temporary step, but since the “interim” title is still there, they worry if Osgood and Robbins will have the power to make what they say are necessary changes.
“I think we also shouldn’t lose sight of having a more permanent person in this space,” said Aslam.
“What agency autonomy and an empowerment will Chris Osgood and Tali Robbins have in terms of making decisions?” Cogell said. ”And what level of empowerment will the staff of the Boston Transportation Department have to progress with moving forward projects?”
A regular meeting is slated to start back up in August where advocates will be able to communicate directly with the mayor’s team on their concerns. Many are cautiously optimistic that the death of their friend will not be in vain.
“You know, it’s, it’s a bittersweet reality that this movement is happening in the wake of the loss of Luisa Gag,” said Cogell. “Every crash fatality deserves to be uplifted and amplified, and we are all pushing and looking forward to Vision Zero, where there will be no more crash fatalities.”
