Jersey City Unveils Protected Bike Lanes Network, Leading NJ on Strong Cycling Culture

As the 1^st in NJ to adopt Vision Zero, Transportation Officials Award Jersey City for Multifaceted approach to Safer Streets

JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop will be joined by Bike JC members and transportation officials at 11 a.m. today to unveil the protected bike lanes being installed throughout Jersey City to advance the goals of the Vision Zero initiative and the Bike Master Plan. With more than four miles already installed, the protected bike lanes are a simple concept with a very meaningful goal: to establish a low-stress, dedicated space for cyclists that is separated from vehicles – reducing vehicle speeds, reducing risk of crashes and conflicts with motor vehicles, while increasing bicycle ridership, improving the mobility and accessibility of all roadway users, and encouraging a healthier environment and community.

“The protected bike lanes provide safe, sustainable, and low cost travel options throughout the City, while also acting as an additional traffic calming measure and encouraging a strong bike culture throughout the community,” said Mayor Fulop. “We continue to move forward on our goals from the Bike Master Plan and Vision Zero with the help of community input. These bike lanes are our latest effort in a multifaceted approach to make our streets safer and eliminate all fatal traffic crashes.”

The protected bike lanes are part of the citywide Bike Master Plan – a comprehensive, actionable plan with a supplementary Design Guide for new and improved bicycle infrastructure citywide. Protected bike lanes are the most safe, comfortable, and appealing type of bike facilities proposed in the plan, which are designed to provide horizontal and/or vertical separation for cyclists from motor vehicles and to ensure people driving, cycling and walking can all safely interact at intersections and driveways. The protected bike lanes also welcome people using scooters, skateboards, and roller blades.

“Bike JC is thrilled to see the protected bike lanes being installed in our city. The administration’s commitment to Vision Zero has led the way towards making our daily lives safer and more enjoyable,” said Patrick Conlon, President of Bike JC.  “These bike lanes will not only protect bicyclists of all ages and abilities, but will also encourage more people to consider alternative and sustainable modes of transportation.”

Jersey City began construction on its first ever on-street protected bike lanes in June 2019. To date, protected bike lanes have been installed on the following roadways:

• Grove Street (Grand to Columbus) has a parking-protected, two-way cycle track (0.49 miles)
• Montgomery Street (Marin to Greene) has parking-protected directional bike lanes (0.7 miles)
• Washington Street (2nd to Marin Blvd.) has protected directional bike lanes (2.12 miles)
• Bergen Avenue (Montgomery to Sip) has a parking-protected, two-way cycle track (0.9 miles)

“As a Vision Zero City, we are committed to making our streets safe for everyone and providing sustainable, active modes of transportation that can support our growing population,” said Barkha Patel, Senior Transportation Planner.  “These protected bike lanes are designed to improve mobility for the most vulnerable users on the street and to make cycling a real transportation option everyone.”

As announced this week, Jersey City is the only municipality in New Jersey to win the 2019 Complete Streets Excellence Award – an accolade from the Department of Transportation for the City’s all-around efforts to enhance bicyclist and pedestrian safety. The first municipality in the State to adopt the Vision Zero initiative, Jersey City’s focus is to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries on City streets by 2026.

Another safety initiative requested by local residents is the current instillation of speed humps.  The Division of Engineering, Traffic & Transportation has designed plans for more than 80 locations across the City based on community feedback. Speed humps are an essential part of designing safer streets, as higher speeds increase the risk of a motor vehicle crash and ultimately increase the risk of serious injury or death.  Since June 2019, nearly 160 new speed humps have been installed on roadways large and small.

Other traffic calming initiatives include the expansion of the Newark Ave Pedestrian plaza, the installation of parklets, the establishment of the traffic safety police unit, additional crossing guards, strategic traffic signal timing changes and more.