Free guide · 16 pages
How to Change Your Street
A traffic engineer's playbook for public meetings, public comment, commissions and 311. Written by someone who has sat on both sides of the dais.
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Next steps
- 1.6M followers on TikTok
- Featured in Mercury News, SFGate and MEL
- Podcast guest on Strong Towns, The War on Cars and Active Towns
What's inside
Five things you'll know before your next meeting.
- How public meetings actually work and why they matter.
- Who does what: city staff, elected officials, and community speakers.
- How to write a public comment that changes decisions.
- When to use 311 for a specific hazard.
- What to do after the meeting.
Why this works
Every street change starts with someone speaking up.
Every green bike box and protected crossing like these started as a line item someone spoke up for. This guide shows you where your voice counts.
About the author
Written by an engineer who builds these streets.
Vignesh Swaminathan, PE, is a licensed civil engineer known online as Mr. Barricade.
He has designed more than 100 protected corners in California and helped write NACTO's Don't Give Up at the Intersection guide.
FAQ
Quick answers.
Is it really free?
Yes.
Who is it for?
Residents, advocates, students and anyone who wants a safer street on their block.
I'm not in California. Does it apply?
Yes. The process is similar in most US cities.
Get the guide
16 pages. Free, and in your hands the moment you sign up.
You're in. Your guide is ready.
Download the guide (PDF)Get periodic updates
Want new guides and street design explainers by email? Subscribe on Substack. This is separate from the guide download.
Next steps
Get periodic updates
New guides and plain language street design explainers by email, through Substack. Free, and separate from the guide download.