Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop joined members from Bike JC and city officials Wednesday to unveil protected bike lanes being installed in Jersey City to advance the goals of the Vision Zero initiative and the Bike Master Plan.

The Jersey City Council approved $9 million in May toward reducing traffic fatalities as part of its Vision Zero initiative. The guiding principle behind Vision Zero maintains that deaths and injuries caused by traffic crashes should be treated as a public health problem that can be eliminated through better planning.

With more than four miles already installed, the protected bike lanes provide dedicated space for cyclists. Proponents of the bike lanes expect they will protect cyclists by eliminating contact with drivers of motor vehicles.

“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.”

To date, protected bike lanes have been installed on:

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