A consultant team working with the New Jersey Department of Transportation presented a comprehensive bicycle plan for the City of Hackensack on Sept. 9, describing a public-outreach driven study that aims to improve bicycle safety and infrastructure and is expected to be completed in December. Rachna Sheth, deputy director of planning at NV5, said the project "was funded through NJDOT's local technical assistance assistance program" and that the plan started in February.

Why it matters: The city’s plan will guide future street investments and grant applications. Residents, school staff and county advocates attending the meeting emphasized that any plan should prioritize long-term, protected bicycle infrastructure and a clear local approach to rapidly expanding electric bicycles and scooters.

The consultant team said its work combines outreach, crash analysis and a needs assessment. "Our first task was really to set up a steering committee," Sheth said, and the team has created a project website, an online survey and an interactive map for residents to mark unsafe locations or desired destinations. James Clavelli, NV5 senior planner leading outreach, said the consultants already attended community events including National Night Out and listed upcoming pop-ups: an Iconic Coffee tabling (11 a.m.–1 p.m.) and a session at Johnson Library (3–5 p.m.), plus a Sept. 25 meeting with a multifamily/condo board.

Consultants described technical work that will feed recommendations: a bicycle-level-of-stress analysis (based on speed and cross section), an existing-conditions bicycle-demand map (using homes, workplaces and schools), street visits and a recommended bicycle network. The team also proposed a pilot bike-lane demonstration program that uses temporary treatments to test whether different street segments can support bike lanes.

Public commenters and cycling advocates said the plan should lead to permanent, physically protected lanes rather than temporary painted lanes. "I really just had 1 quick comment ... to emphasize a focus on putting in permanent biking solutions," said Brandon, a lifelong Hackensack resident. Philip Brophy, a Hackensack High School teacher, said he counted about 30 unsecured student bicycles at the high school and urged infrastructure to support students who ride to school.

Some speakers asked the council to address e-bikes and scooters through clearer local rules. "How come Hackensack doesn't have a helmet requirement?" asked Sergei Tolstoy, citing a recent scooter fatality elsewhere and urging identification, licensing and penalties for repeated violations. Pat de Roma, a county-level complete-streets advocate, and Chris Knowell of EasyRide encouraged the city to align the plan with county safety planning and state funding programs. Knowell noted Hackensack's Safe Routes to School silver status and offered assistance to pursue grants and an updated complete-streets policy.

What changed or was decided: The presentation was informational; no formal policy was adopted at the meeting. Council members and staff said they would continue to coordinate with consultants and the public.

Next steps: The consultants will continue outreach, post collected data on the project website, produce a recommended bicycle network and propose demonstration locations. The team aims to complete the plan in December and to post event dates and draft materials on the city website for community comment.