Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla today announced a partnership between their cities to pursue a combined, bike share program. Each municipality has committed to choosing the same bike share company.
The cities will now release a request for proposal (RFP) from interested companies, with the hope of unveiling the combined bike share program sometime later in 2020.
A press joint press release issued this morning says Jersey City and Hoboken are looking to achieve “greater regional connectivity and mobility” between the two cities. This will make is easier for visitors and residents alike to move between each community and its neighborhoods.
“Both 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 for our cities,” said Mayor Bhalla and Mayor Fulop. “Now, more than ever, a greater number of people are relying on shared transportation for essential services, employment, and more, and a regional approach will substantially improve the quality of life for all of our residents. And, 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.”
A number of residents within Hoboken and Jersey City regularly commute to and from both cities, and a regional bike share option will provide easier access to employment opportunities and improve both cities regional economies according to the two mayors.
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. 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.
Jersey City currently uses Citi Bike, while Hoboken utilizes Jersey Bike for its bike program.