The City of Jersey City will have six free public bike storage locations as part of a new partnership with Oonee, with the first two locations to be activated at the Danforth Avenue Light Rail Station and McGinley Square this week.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“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,” Mayor Steven Fulop said in a statement.
“Earlier this month, we celebrated the reopening of our only ferry service outside of downtown with discounted fares and free Via rides to and from the terminal, focusing on expanding connectivity for our low- and middle-income residents. This partnership with Oonee is our latest initiative as part of our holistic approach to meeting the community’s comprehensive mobility needs.”
The City’s system is provided by Oonee, a Brooklyn-based company that focuses on building high-quality streetscape infrastructure and services.
The initial phase of the system will include secure parking for over 80 devices accessible at these four locations as well: Exchange Place, Washington and Montgomery Streets, the Grove Street PATH Station, and the Newport PATH Station.
“Equity is at the core of all of our transportation infrastructure planning,” added Department of Infrastructure Director Barkha Patel.
“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.”
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 are excited that Jersey City will be adding secure bike parking to the robust bike network that has been developed under Mayor Fulop,” exclaimed BikeJC President Ayla Schermer.
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.
“This critical aspect of the city’s infrastructure will serve to foster the recent growth in cycling that Jersey City has experienced.”
“We’re absolutely delighted to deliver this service to the residents of Jersey City,” concluded Oonee CEO Shabazz Stuart.
“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.”
