The Bottom-Up Revolution How to Talk About Street Safety So People Actually Listen
Nov 6, 2025
Liza Burkin, a seasoned transportation planner and community organizer, shares her journey advocating for safer streets through her work with the Providence Streets Coalition. She discusses the challenges of getting small improvements approved in urban settings while highlighting the need for political engagement. Liza emphasizes the importance of inclusive language to win community support and provides actionable tips for grassroots advocacy. She also highlights innovative projects like Neighborways, which focus on low-cost, high-impact design to enhance urban mobility.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Pedicabbing Sparked A Career In Advocacy
- Liza pedicabbed in Newport for six summers and met close friends while experiencing tourist congestion.
- That job exposed her to mobility problems and launched her bike advocacy career.
Technical Skills Turn Advocacy Into Action
- Technical skills unlock advocacy: geometry, standards, and GIS turn wishes into implementable plans.
- Liza credits planning education for enabling concrete proposals that make the city's job easier.
Use Inclusive Language At Public Meetings
- Avoid polarizing language and don't show up in Lycra at public meetings.
- Talk about families, elders, and getting home alive to broaden appeal.