Jersey City 24/7 secure bike storage | Photo via Mayor’s Office
JERSEY CITY, NJ – A free 24/7 secure bike storage strategically placed around Jersey City’s busiest transportation hubs will be operating soon, the mayor’s office announced. The first two Danforth Avenue Light Rail Station and McGinley Square locations will be activated this week.
This initiative is part of the Fulop administration’s efforts to provide greener commuting options and reduce vehicular traffic at no cost to Jersey City. The secure storage is accessible to all users, including bicycles and micro-mobility vehicles, through Oonee.
Since 2017 Jersey City became the first in the State to adopt Vision Zero; more than 20 miles of protected bike lanes have been built with connections spanning the City to promote safe mobility options. With the recent expansion of CitiBike stations and electric-powered devices, Jersey City is experiencing a surge in bicycle use and other alternative modes of transportation.
The mayor’s office said this is one of the most proven effective ways of reducing a city’s carbon footprint, enhancing the safety of all users, improving health outcomes, and promoting equity through transportation.
“Launching this citywide network of secure bike storage puts Jersey City at the forefront once again in advancing sustainability and transportation goals utilizing innovative approaches and public-private partnerships,” said Mayor Fulop.
Early this month, Jersey City re-opened a ferry service outside of downtown with discounted fares and free Via rides to and from the Port Liberte terminal focusing on expanding connectivity for low- and middle-income residents. Added Fulop: “This partnership with Oonee is our latest initiative as part of our holistic approach to meeting the community’s comprehensive mobility needs.”
Related story: Jersey City re-opens ferry service with NY Waterway; Via and Citi-Bike included in the expanded transit network
“Equity is at the core of all of our transportation infrastructure planning,” said Barkha Patel, Director of Jersey City’s Department of Infrastructure. “This program will bring secure bike parking, cited in many studies as a barrier to bicycling as a primary means of transportation for underserved communities, to all areas of the City.”
Oonee, a Brooklyn-based company that builds high-quality streetscape infrastructure and services, will provide the City’s system. The initial phase of the system will include secure parking for over 80 devices accessible at the following locations:
- McGinley Square
- Exchange Place
- Washington & Montgomery Streets
- Danforth Avenue Light Rail Station
- Grove Street PATH Station
- Newport PATH Station
An additional 24 secure bike parking stations are planned throughout the City following the launch of this initial phase to give all of the City’s neighborhoods access to this amenity.
“We’re absolutely delighted to deliver this service to the residents of Jersey City,” concluded Shabazz Stuart, CEO of Oonee. “Secure bike parking is one of the most important elements of a thriving bicycle and micromobility ecosystem; with this initiative, we are building much-needed infrastructure with fidelity to the principles of equity, inclusion, and human-scaled design.”
Residents can sign up for a free online account or download the Oonee mobile app. Oonee follows a three-day parking limit during peak times to ensure space is available for all regular users. For more details on permitted vehicles and all other information on the City’s new secure bike lockers, please visit the Oonee website.
