Manhattan & Franklin Bikeway
This page is for more details on specific actions for the Heights Protected Bike Lane Campaign. For a more general overview, check the main campaign page.
Phone Banking
The fight isn't over yet. Call the Jersey City Council and Mayor to ask that an ordinance for the bike lane be introduced immediately, to improve safety and avoid losing $670,000 in grant funding.
Who to call
Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh, and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop are our biggest targets. You can reach Councilman Saleh at (201) 547 - 6817. Mayor Fulop's office can be reached at (201) 547 - 5200. Other members of council need to be convinced too, so call the council president, At-Large seats, and your ward's Councilperson (if you're not in Ward D).

What to say
Introduce yourself as a constituent and a registered voter, and say that you're asking City Council to move forwards on an ordinance for the permanent installation of the Manhattan & Franklin Bikeway. Personal anecdotes, such as how the lane would benefit you, or any experiences you've had with traffic violence, help make the request memorable. Exactly what you say matters less than calling to say something. Remain calm and professional. Feel free to mention any of the talking points below, or add your own!
Talking Points:
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93% of respondents who biked, scooted, walked, or rolled through the pilot project said it made them feel safer.
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Not moving forward could jeopardize $670,000 in grant funding, wasting hundreds of hours of planning, engineering, community outreach, and volunteer time.
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The Manhattan & Franklin Protected Bike Lane would create a cross-county bike connection, with critical links to Hoboken and public transit, parks, schools, businesses, and Secaucus and the future Greenway.
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Bike lanes make it possible for people to get around without a car, which in turn helps to reduce traffic
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Bike lanes are a proven safety measure for all road users.
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There is no evidence that the pilot project, or bike lanes throughout Jersey City, have slowed down emergency vehicle response times.
Speak at City Council
We'll continue to speak at City Council meetings until the project is approved. ​
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Speaking in front of city council is a great way to get your voice on the record in support of the bike lanes. Just like phone banking, simply voicing your support, and personal anecdotes work just as well as precisely crafted arguments.
In order to speak, you'll need to sign up on the city website. It will ask if you're speaking on an ordinance or public hearing. Unless there is a related ordinance for vote (there isn't at the January 2nd meeting), click "Public Hearing Only." The meetings are at City Hall, 280 Grove Street. Go up the big front stoop, through the security checkpoint, then up the stairs, and enter through the big doors into the council chambers. As you come in there should be piles of paper agendas near the door, and they show the list of signed-up speakers so you can see where you are on the list and who is just before you. When the clerk calls your name, go up to the podium, adjust the microphone so you're speaking directly into it, and say your piece. You’ll see a digital timer in front of you and to the right that will count down from 3:00 minutes.​