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Combine a deep love of cities and urban planning with a penchant for wearing stylish suits, smooth dance moves set to Swedish rap music and a curious fascination with drainage and what do you get? Mr. Barricade, an unlikely TikTok star. Vignesh Swaminathan, who runs his own engineering and design firm in California, has built a huge following on the video-sharing platform based on his unique ability to explain everything from how protected intersections work in busy downtowns to the ongoing impacts of redlining and segregation. Doug talks to Vignesh about his viral videos, tricks for successfully fighting racism online and the power of TikTok to help people see and experience their streets and communities in new ways.

SHOW NOTES:

Follow Mr. Barricade on TikTok.

Learn more about Crossroad Lab, Vigesh Swaminathan’s engineering and urban design firm.

Read all about Vignesh in the San Jose Mercury News.

Pick up official War on Cars merch at our store.

Receive 20% off the purchase of stylish rain gear for walking and cycling from our friends at Cleverhood by entering code WARONCARS at checkout.

Buy books from podcast guests and check out The War on Cars reading list at Bookshop.org.