(Portland, ME) February 24, 2025 – A 37-year-old Portland man died Sunday night after being struck by a car while walking on Riverside Street. This marks the third pedestrian fatality in Portland in just three months, underscoring an escalating crisis that demands immediate action to make the city’s streets safer.
According to police, the man was walking near 654 Riverside Street when he was struck by a car driven by a 26-year-old Portland man around 7:25 p.m. He was transported to Maine Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The victim’s name has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin. The crash remains under investigation, and no charges have been filed against the driver.
“The fact that Portland has seen three pedestrian fatalities in as many months is unacceptable,” said Andrew Zarro, Executive Director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM). “City officials must treat this as the public safety emergency that it is. We cannot wait any longer for meaningful improvements that protect people walking, biking, and rolling in Portland.”
Portland’s streets are becoming increasingly dangerous, and without swift action, more lives will be lost. The BCM is urging the City of Portland to immediately address pedestrian safety with the urgency it requires by taking decisive action to prevent further tragedies, including:
Emergency Safety Enhancements: Implementing immediate traffic calming measures, improved lighting, and clearer pedestrian crossings in high-risk areas.
Comprehensive Vision Zero Plan: Establishing a citywide commitment to eliminating all pedestrian and cyclist fatalities through data-driven solutions.
Enforcement and Education: Strengthening public awareness campaigns and ensuring traffic laws are enforced to deter dangerous driving behavior.
“We cannot allow this pattern of pedestrian deaths to continue,” added Zarro. “Each of these lives lost is a reminder that Portland must make urgent, systemic changes to its streets. The time for half-measures is over—we need the city to prioritize safety now.”
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine will continue working with city leaders, advocates, and the public to push for immediate and long-term changes that make Portland a safer place for everyone.
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The Bicycle Coalition of Maine works to make Maine a better and safer place to bike and walk. Founded in 1992, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine has grown into the leading bicycle and pedestrian advocacy group in the state. The Coalition believes all Mainers should have access to bikes and bike education, and we envision a future where Maine’s roads, public ways, and trails are safe and accessible, resulting in cleaner travel options, improved health, and stronger economic benefits for Maine communities.