Bike Share Program Coming To Hoboken, Weehawken And Jersey City
NEW JERSEY (CBSNewYork) -- A new bike share program is coming to the cities of Hoboken, Weehawken and Jersey City.
As WCBS 880's Jim Smith reported Saturday, the three cities are joining forces to roll out a regional bike share program by this summer.
"It offers another transportation alternative. A convenience for people to get around," said Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer.
The program will feature 800 bikes at 50 stations, Zimmer said.
It will be funded through sponsorships, advertising, and user fees, meaning no cost to the cities or tax payers.
Zimmer said the ultimate goal is for riders to someday be able to merge accounts with New York's popular Citi Bike program.
"Essentially integrate the system so that people wouldn't have to have an account in Hoboken on the Jersey side and then an account in New York City," Zimmer explained.
Bike and Roll, the largest bike rental company in the United States, will operate the program.
Rather than a system that relies on smart docks, which requires expensive infrastructure, this program will feature smart bikes, which relies on bikes with built-in locks and communications equipment.
The smart bike is expected to provide more flexibility at a fraction of the cost of traditional bike share systems.
Customers will be able to choose from an array of purchase options, including annual, weekly and daily memberships.
The proposed deal is currently making the rounds to the three city councils for approval.
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