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Wheelchair user urges Bayonne to fix curb cuts and sidewalks; council outlines inspection and ramp program
Summary
A 20‑year‑old Bayonne resident testified about dangerous curb ramps and thousands of dollars in wheelchair repairs; councilmembers and the director said the city performs ramp work during paving projects and invited the resident to report specific sites for prioritized inspection.
A 20‑year‑old Bayonne resident and wheelchair user told the City Council on Sept. 17 that steep, abrupt curb cuts and broken sidewalks have repeatedly damaged their wheelchair, imposed more than $7,000 in repairs over six months and restricted mobility.
"My wheelchair is my legs, my independence, my connection to the world, and it is being destroyed by the very infrastructure meant to make the city accessible," Carmelo DeBerry told the council during public comment. DeBerry said abrupt slope transitions have tipped their chair and forced them to ask strangers for help; they also provided receipts showing more than $7,000 in repairs in six months and stated their original chair cost more than $33,000.
Council members and Director Kotter responded…
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