Hoboken 1st In New Jersey To Embrace E-Scooter ‘Revolution’

HOBOKEN, NJ — E-scooters are coming to Hoboken.

Earlier this week, Hoboken passed an ordinance to allow electric scooters to be used in the city, which puts it on track to become the first municipality in New Jersey to embrace the new transportation technology.

The ordinance that was passed on second reading authorizes electric scooters with a speed of up to 20 miles per hour to use bike lanes in the city. Electric scooters will not be permitted to ride on sidewalks, according to a news release from the office of Mayor Ravinder Bhalla.

City officials have entered a six-month pilot program with two companies, Lime and P3GM (operator of JerseyBike), that will provide 300 electric scooters for rental by residents and visitors. Hoboken will roll out the implementation of the electric scooter pilot program with Lime and P3GM “in the coming weeks,” with a launch of the program scheduled for early next month, officials said.

The City Council will vote to officially authorize the deal with a resolution at their April 17 meeting, Bhalla’s office stated.

According to a statement from Lime, the New Jersey State Legislature authorized the use of e-scooters last month. The pilot will launch if Gov. Phil Murphy signs the authorization.

“I am thrilled Hoboken is leading the way for the rest of the state to implement an additional mode of green transportation,” Bhalla said. “Electric scooters will help residents easily travel around our city, reduce congestion on our roadways, and improve access to transit stations and business districts. This is another way Hoboken is leading the way in implementing environmentally responsible transportation initiatives.”

Councilman Mike DeFusco – an early supporter of bringing electric scooters to the Mile Square City – said that the technology has the potential to “revolutionize” how residents and visitors get around Hoboken.

“I look forward to hopping onto a scooter soon on my morning commute to Manhattan, and I hope all Hobokenites take the opportunity to try out this exciting new mode of transportation and let us know what they think,” DeFusco said.

• See related article: Here's Why You Saw Scooters Zipping Around Pier 13 In Hoboken

“Lime is thrilled that access to e-scooters is rolling forward in Hoboken,” said Phil Jones, senior director of East Coast Government and Strategic Partnership. “Dock-free e-scooters are a great way for New Jersey residents to enjoy their cities and towns, and to more easily connect with mass transit, shortening commutes.”

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