A Chat With Barkha Patel, Who Helped Achieve Zero Traffic Deaths in Jersey City

On this week’s episode, Chuck chats with Barkha Patel, the Director of Infrastructure for Jersey City. Patel has pioneered changes in her city that have dramatically reduced traffic fatalities—in fact, this month marked seven years that Jersey City has gone without traffic deaths. If you’ve been around Strong Towns for a while, you’ve heard us talk about her before, and we’re excited to announce that she’ll be delivering the keynote speech at the 2024 National Gathering. Don’t worry, we’re not going to steal any of that thunder for today’s conversation (Get your tickets, though, if you want to hear that speech at the Gathering!): instead, we wanted to hear a bit more about Patel herself and how she came to do the amazing, transformational work that she’s become known for.

ADDITIONAL SHOW NOTES

Get your tickets for the 2024 National Gathering today!

Check out the 2023 Local-Motive Tour stop “Turn That Stroad Into a Street (or Road),” featuring Patel.

“Jersey City Achieved Zero Traffic Deaths on Its Streets. Here’s How They Did It,” by Asia Mieleszko, Strong Towns (June 2023).

“How To Get Your Fire Department on Board With Narrowing Streets,” by Asia Mieleszko, Strong Towns (November 2023).

Barkha Patel (website).

Chuck Marohn (Twitter/X).