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Advocates push council to approve full protected bike lane on Manhattan and Franklin after city won $670,000 grant
Summary
Cycling advocates urged the council to implement the original protected bike lane plan for Manhattan and Franklin Avenues in The Heights, warning that significant scope changes could jeopardize a $670,000 state bikeways grant and that the corridor sits on the city's high‑injury network.
Bicycle advocates and residents urged the Jersey City Municipal Council to approve the full protected bike lane plan for Manhattan and Franklin Avenues in The Heights, citing safety, grant funding and broad public support.
Speakers said the project is funded by a $670,000 state grant and that the original application funds new protected bike lane miles; major scope changes could jeopardize that award. Tom Kane and Ayla (a professional transportation grants manager and Bike JC representative) told the council the plan addresses a gap in the city’s bike network, intersects multiple high‑injury intersections, and connects to forthcoming state greenway work. Kane noted a pilot demonstration and more than 700 letters of support collected by Bike JC; Ayla warned that the New Jersey DOT bikeways grant program allows only limited scope changes and that substantial revision risks losing funding.
Cyclists described personal safety incidents. Tyler Newcomb said a driver used his minivan to bully and strike him from behind while riding in a lawful position; he filed a police report. Danielle Dedama and other speakers described biking in Jersey City as “stressful, dangerous, and in too many cases, fatal,” and urged councilmembers to choose “joy” and safety by building protected infrastructure. Councilman Soleil was described by speakers as having engaged productively with advocates; Mayor Fulop’s public statements in favor of the full plan were also noted.
No final council vote on the project occurred at this meeting. Advocates warned that passing a watered‑down version would both underdeliver on safety goals and risk the state grant. Advocates called for the council to accept the full plan as applied so construction can proceed and the city secure already awarded funds.
Why it matters: The project would create a continuous protected east‑west link in The Heights and use state grant money; advocates say failing to implement the original design would both leave residents at risk and risk forfeiture of the grant.
