Jersey City Council President Joyce Watterman, a candidate for mayor, is weighing in on potential new permanent bike lane in the Heights, indicating that while clear benefits exist, more feedback is needed before moving forward.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“The proposal for permanent bike lanes on Manhattan Avenue and Franklin Street offers a valuable opportunity to enhance safety, promote sustainable transportation, and support local businesses,” Watterman said in an email following an inquiry from HCV.
“However, it is crucial that this initiative prioritizes community engagement and avoids a top-down approach reminiscent of Robert Moses, where decisions are made without considering the community’s needs. The implementation must be done for the neighborhood, not to it.”
Back in October, advocates urged the Jersey City Council to make the aforementioned bike lane permanent, noting that the $670,000 New Jersey Department of Transportation bike way grant would be expiring soon, as HCV first reported.
The following month, Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh told this reporter in a live interview that the city had received an extension that will run through the end of the first quarter of this year.
Since then, the issue has not had much public discourse.
“To achieve this, we must continue to actively listen to stakeholders—cyclists, local businesses, residents, and city officials—and work collaboratively toward solutions that meet everyone’s needs,” Watterman continued.
“Our streets belong to all of us, and inclusive dialogue is essential for creating a safe and vibrant urban environment. By fostering this collaboration, we can ensure that the bike lanes serve the community effectively and contribute positively to our quality of life.”
The campaigns of three of the other four mayoral candidates Ward E Councilman James Solomon, Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), and former Board of Education President Mussab Ali did not return emails seeking comment.
Former Gov. Jim McGreevey responded quickly, but declined to comment until “I am better informed as to the origin and design of the bike lanes.”
What kind of out-of-touch lunatic compares Robert Moses bulldozing entire neighborhoods to build highways to a bike lane?
The grant money grab is blinding the council to the neighborhoods actual needs. We already tried the bike lane. It was useless. It created long and awkward detours for our vehicles to get down to Tonnele, and it was hardly used by bikes. As a cyclist myself, I have never felt endangered cycling down that stretch of Manhattan. As we already see downtown, most bike lanes are utilized by food delivery persons. There are only a couple of food establishments near Manhattan ave. The bikes take the other side streets further north near the other restaurants to get down to the western slope for deliveries. A bike lane on Manhattan ave will not change their route. Don’t let grant money blind you to the actual needs of the residents of the Heights.
We need more bike lanes. It’s dangerous to ride a bike in this section without proper cycling infrastructure.