HOBOKEN, N.J. (Diya TV) — In Hoboken, New Jersey, Mayor Ravi Bhalla’s commitment to making the city safer for pedestrians has yielded impressive results — six-plus years without a single pedestrian fatality. Bhalla’s initiative began after the tragic death of an elderly woman in 2015, prompting him to focus on redesigning intersections, installing bike lanes, and slowing traffic.
Taking office in 2018, Bhalla prioritized road safety, signing an executive order in 2019 to kickstart Hoboken’s commitment to Vision Zero. This global campaign aims to eliminate traffic deaths entirely, with Hoboken setting an ambitious goal to achieve this by 2030.
Implementing a series of changes, Bhalla welcomed Citi Bike in 2021, recording over 850,000 trips by the summer. In 2022, he reduced the citywide speed limit to 20 mph, repainted and repaved crosswalks for better visibility, and added over 40 curb extensions to push cars farther from intersections. Currently, almost half of Hoboken’s roads feature bike lanes.
Despite Hoboken experiencing fewer traffic-related issues than its neighboring New York City, Bhalla’s proactive measures have significantly improved safety. While the U.S. sees a surge in pedestrian deaths, Hoboken has reported no traffic deaths since January 2017, with injuries decreasing by 41%.
Bloomberg CityLab reports Bhalla’s Vision Zero plan, developed in collaboration with residents, stakeholders, engineers, and public safety officials, took two years to formulate. The plan focuses on making Hoboken a safer place for walking, biking, and driving.
Facing resistance to change, particularly from those accustomed to car-centric infrastructure, Bhalla emphasized the need for political courage. Hoboken’s approach involves high-impact, quick-build interventions, such as curb extensions and “daylighting” techniques that improve visibility at intersections.
The mayor highlighted the significance of policy changes, including the “Twenty is Plenty” program, enforcing a citywide speed limit of 20 mph. Bhalla stressed that the goal is not just about governmental changes but creating a cultural shift, making Hoboken more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly.
Looking beyond his term, Bhalla aims to establish a foundation and culture that will outlast any administration. Hoboken’s success in Vision Zero is attributed to resident-driven initiatives, emphasizing the importance of community buy-in for sustainable progress.
