Learning from Jersey City: Barkha Patel’s Vision Zero Leadership

At the Strong Towns National Gathering in Providence this June, we had the incredible opportunity to hear from Barkha Patel, the Director of Infrastructure for Jersey City—and we left deeply inspired.

Barkha has led transformative work over the last several years to bring Jersey City closer to its Vision Zero goals, aiming to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Under her leadership, Jersey City became one of the first cities in the country to achieve zero traffic deaths for an entire year—a remarkable milestone that proves safe streets are not just aspirational, but achievable. Read more about vision zero here: https://visionzeronetwork.org

What makes Barkha’s work especially powerful is her commitment to people-first design. From curb extensions and protected bike lanes to comprehensive traffic-calming strategies in historically underserved neighborhoods, her approach prioritizes safety, equity, and long-term resilience. She’s not just building infrastructure—she’s building trust, momentum, and healthier communities. Read more about their success here: https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2023/6/9/jersey-city-achieved-zero-traffic-deaths-on-its-streets-heres-how-they-did-it

At Strong Towns Buffalo, we’re energized by leaders like Barkha who demonstrate what’s possible when local governments take bold, thoughtful action. Jersey City’s success shows that a safer, stronger city is within reach when we put people—especially the most vulnerable users—at the center of our transportation systems.

Let’s bring this energy to Buffalo.