October is National Pedestrian Safety Month

Throughout the month, the City will share pedestrian safety messages across its social media channels, reminding residents and visitors alike that we all share the road. Stickers and other giveaways will be available at City events and locations, designed not only to spread awareness but also to be highly visible.

In addition to raising awareness, the City is advancing real plans to make roadways safer. On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at the Lowell Senior Center (276 Broadway St), residents are invited to an Open House. At this event, community members can review and provide input on proposed roadway safety improvements for the Back Central, Acre, and Lower Highland neighborhoods. Feedback gathered will play a direct role in shaping projects to improve walkability, accessibility, and safety for all.

"Our neighborhoods are stronger when everyone feels safe on the streets," said Mayor Daniel P. Rourke. "Awareness is important, but it's equally critical that we have real plans in place. By combining community input with thoughtful design, we can ensure our roadways reflect the needs of everyone who shares them."

"The City is committed to making streets safer through concrete improvements and smart planning," said City Manager Thomas A. Golden, Jr. "By investing in infrastructure upgrades and working with residents to guide safety projects, we can create streets that protect everyone and help our neighborhoods thrive."

"Crashes involving pedestrians are among the most tragic incidents that police respond to, and the Lowell Police Department is committed to enforcing all traffic regulations to protect pedestrians," said Police Superintendent Greg Hudon. "The Lowell Police Department uses grant funding to conduct both traffic enforcement and pedestrian safety education, and we encourage all drivers to pay attention, obey the law regarding usage of handheld devices, and to always be alert for pedestrians, especially around crosswalks. It takes attention and care from both drivers and pedestrians to avoid tragedies, and we encourage everyone to pay attention to save lives."

As part of promoting safe streets, the City also reminds drivers that the citywide speed limit is 25 miles per hour, helping ensure safer conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, and fellow drivers.

Over the past years, Lowell has taken significant steps to enhance pedestrian safety. The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) has marked more than 570 crosswalks with high-visibility epoxy on major streets, while the Lowell Police Department paints over 500 crosswalks each year at schools and in neighborhoods. These efforts, combined with the City's adoption of a citywide 25 MPH speed limit, have contributed to measurable improvements. According to MassDOT IMPACT Portal, since the start of enforcement, serious injury crashes in Lowell have dropped by 67% (from 116 in 2021 to 38 in 2024), and fatalities have decreased by 85% (from 8 in 2021 to 1 in 2024).

National Pedestrian Safety Month highlights the shared responsibility of roadway safety. The City of Lowell encourages residents to stay alert, follow traffic laws, and look out for one another while traveling through the community.