Hoboken's Map-Centric Approach to Crowdsource Public Input
Hoboken, New Jersey, as seen from the Hudson River. cdrin / Shutterstock.com
It’s as simple as putting a pin on an interactive map.
Hoboken, New Jersey, which sits across the Hudson River from New York City, is pressing forward on its plans to create the first permanent bikeshare system in the Garden State by the end of the year.
The system’s first phase, which also includes neighboring Weehawken, will involve 300 bikes and approximately 20 bikeshare stations.
But where should the stations go? Hoboken officials have a list of proposed locations, but it’s asked the public for advice on where the stations should be deployed around the Square Mile City.
But instead of soliciting ideas through traditional public comments, Hoboken wants residents who have suggestions to place a pin on an interactive map through the OpenPlans platform for anyone to see.
And residents have been busy providing input for everyone to see in advance of the Oct. 8 deadline for suggestions.
“The intersection of 14th and Washington is not very pedestrian friendly,” John wrote in one pin submission. “Perhaps move the bikes to 14th and Hudson?”
In another pin, Kathy detailed her thoughts on the merits of a particular location:
9th and Clinton is a great spot because there is a lot of foot traffic by the park. Either corner (Clinton or Grand) would be good but the bikes would probably be more utilized if it were on Clinton. People can access 9th and Clinton from 5 different directions, while there are only 4 directions for 9th and Grand. Similarly, there are more cars that go through that intersection than drive by 9th and Grand. This lends itself to greater awareness that the bike program exists on that block. For the small difference in location (one short block), you could easily increase the demand for the program.
Compared to more traditional bikeshare systems, the one in Hoboken and Weehawken won’t necessarily have the same type of footprint in terms of its station network.
That’s because the bikes, funded by German manufacturer Nextbike, operate with a “smart lock” and communications system that doesn’t require a traditional bikeshare docking station. The bicycles can instead be locked at traditional bike racks or elsewhere, in addition to the 20 proposed initial stations, and are accessed via smartphone app or keypad.
“This next-generation bike share technology costs a fraction of traditional systems, so it can support more bikes in more neighborhoods in a financially self-sufficient way without tax dollars,” Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer said in a statement.
Hoboken tested a 25-bicycle bikeshare pilot project in 2013.
The New York Times reported late last week that Jersey City, Hoboken’s neighbor to the south, will not join the bikeshare system being introduced in Hoboken and Weehawken and will instead align with New York City’s CitiBike system in a 500-to-600 bike expansion planned for next year.
Hoboken officials have been studying ways to implement new bicycle infrastructure in the city, including a recently released plan to reconfigure one of the city’s primary thoroughfares, Washington Street, to include a dual-direction protected bike lane.
(Image via cdrin/Shutterstock.com)
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