Hoboken And Jersey City Announce Plan To Pursue Joint Bike Share

HOBOKEN, NJ – Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop announced plans on Thursday to solicit proposals for a bike share company that links both towns, something bike riders had suggested for years.

Currently, the City of Hoboken utilizes Jersey Bike, while Jersey City uses CitiBike.

A press release from Jersey City stated, "Both cities have committed to selecting the same bike share company [and] will release a request for proposal (RFP) from interested companies, and are expected to roll out a bike share program together later this year."

The mayors said, "Hoboken and Jersey City are leaders in advancing alternative transportation options, and we are thrilled to partner together to utilize the same regional bike share program. As our communities continue to adapt to COVID-19, this coordinated effort will provide residents and visitors with healthy, socially distanced alternatives to mass transit.”

The release said, "Jersey City and Hoboken are two of the most bike-friendly communities in New Jersey, with a combined 75 miles of protected bike lanes, conventional bike lanes, and shared lanes." And "A regional bike share company will also help advance safer, alternative transportation options, a central component of both cities’ Vision Zero campaigns to eliminate pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries within 10 years or less."

Hoboken residents can reach Jersey City with their bikes by cycling down to the southern border, using the Ninth Street light rail elevator or 14th Street Viaduct to reach Jersey City Heights, or taking the light rail or PATH.

Additionally, this week, Hoboken Councilman Mike DeFusco said he has proposed legislation that would allow Hoboken residents to secure their bicycles in Municipal Parking Garages. The ordinance, up for first reading at Wednesday night's council meeting, would create a permitting process with a $52 annual fee and require bicycles to display a small city of Hoboken placard. Bikes would be required to install and maintain front and rear tail lights.

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