Photo by Chelsea Pujols / SOC Images.
Whatever street you might find yourself on—Bergenline Avenue, Boulevard East or River Road—the sound of cars honking and radios are met by bicycle rings and hums of electric scooters as many Hudson County residents choose greener and cheaper modes of transportation.
Whether it’s to make the commute to school or work easier—extra change through food delivery apps or a more active way of enjoying the county’s sights of New York City—the presence of bicycles and scooters, also known as micro-mobility vehicles or devices, in West New York, Guttenberg and North Bergen are inevitable.
On Oct. 9, the Hudson County Commissioners meeting highlighted the struggle both officials and locals find themselves in as high traffic and lack of bicycle lanes complicate the growing trend in the county.
Locals Make Their Voices Heard
Micheal Elling has been living in West New York for 10 years. He gave a speech at the Commissioners’ meeting in favor of bike lanes, the expansion of the light rail and more micro-mobility plans for the county.
Elling said he and his wife enjoy bike rides to Jersey City and Fort Lee to enjoy the sights of the city and New Jersey’s parks and nature trails. They also depend on their bicycles for shopping and commuting to work. Because of their use of micro-mobility devices in their daily lives, the couple has noticed a lack of accommodation for a lifestyle many in their community have adopted.
“Tens of thousands of people have moved to New Jersey’s Gold Coast over the past two decades, yet little planning has anticipated how these residents will get around—except by car or limited north-south bus service,” Elling said.
Marcelo Fernandez-Fauste, a Jersey City local who uses his city’s bike lanes to get to work and do grocery shopping, told Slice of Culture he is “pro-bike lane 100%,” especially in a heavy commuter community like Hudson County.
“Driving in Hudson County is just, personally, I think it’s un-do-able. I don’t see the purpose of it. What’s the point of me driving 40 minutes just to get to some place that would really take me ten minutes,” he said.
The Bike Lane Dilemma
The construction of bicycle lanes on River Road, which go through parts of West New York and North Bergen, throughout this fall has brought both concern and celebration in the community.
The project, announced by the Hudson County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 2, 2024, is a part of the Hudson County Vision Zero Action Plan, which intends to reduce car crashes and deaths on the roads.
According to the Vision Zero website, Hudson County experienced the death of about two cyclists, seven drivers, four pedestrians and one passenger due to a crash in 2025. This initiative aims to bring the number down to zero as addition of bike lanes helps separate drivers and riders and allow both groups to share the road.
The project also includes:
- High Friction Surface at Curves
- Reflective Backplates on Traffic Signals
- High Visibility Crosswalks
- Centerline Rumble Stripes
- Dedicated Left and Right Turn Lanes
“I am proud and thrilled that the County Board of Commissioners accepted a bid to resurface River Road and improve the existing bike lane to make River Road safer for all residents of West New York, Guttenberg and North Bergen,” said Craig Guy, Hudson County Executive in a press release about the project from Oct. 2, 2024.
However…
Despite Vision Zero focusing on safety, some locals argue that bike lanes make River Road, a very busy street, less safe. This, among concerns about constructions, have made the project a center of debate for locals.
Maria Perez-Martinez, of Port Imperial, told Slice of Culture it is a “disaster waiting to happen.”
“It only covers a small stretch of River Road and it’s actually dangerous. I don’t know one person in this area who thinks this was a good idea,” she said.
Another resident, Andrew Hersch, started a petition against the new bike lane, which currently holds 1,158 signatures at the time this article was written. He told Slice of Culture the concerns around the bike lane are valid from residents, commuters and nearby hospital workers.
“It wasn’t a bunch of complaining from locals,” he said.
Hersch told Slice of Culture that the construction have worsened conditions by:
- Making lanes more narrow, which makes turning more difficult and traffic more congested
- Making disabled and elderly bus riders cross the active lane to make the bus
- Adding concrete barriers that are not high enough to withstand flooding
All that amongst other issues, which are listed in the petition.
Teresa Paulino-Calderon, of West New York, disagrees with the construction. “They could have done better…Hoboken just shaded the bike lane,” she said. “Honestly, [I] bet it would have been cheaper too.”
Addressing the controversy around River Road, Chairperson Anthony Romano said in the Oct. 9 meeting:
“There is an abundance of misinformation and falsehoods being spread…It is critical for residents to know that once work is completed, the roadway will be no different than it has been before.”
Romano said that the road will remain five lanes and added that bike lanes have been on River Road since 2011.
The latest construction on River Road is seemingly complete, but the debate about its efficiency is still in the air for many locals.
One Response
My best friend’s father was killed there turning into the Diner by a speeding car. We need traffic calming measures all the way and down River Road; especially now along Port Imperial section.