Boggiano Claims Main Jersey City Referendum Issue Is Bike Lanes Vs. Parking

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Jersey City's Ward C runoff race between incumbent Rich Boggiano and challenger Kevin Bing is heating up as Boggiano has declared the referendum a race about parking or bike lanes.

“This election is a referendum on whether residents in Ward C want more bike lanes or more parking spots, and Kevin Bing’s plans to change streets like Baldwin Avenue to one way, which city traffic planners have said will eliminate 70 parking spots alone, should be a nonstarter,” said Councilman Boggiano. “Residents know that I won’t trade valuable parking spots for bike lanes, because I know how important parking is to our quality of life.”

Bing's transportation plan includes fulfilling the city's Vision Zero Action Plan within the ward, starting with Baldwin and Summit Avenue, two of the most dangerous streets in the city. Bing proposed making both streets one-way streets with parking-protected bike lanes. The plan also includes improving curb space management by adding loading zones, permanent outdoor dining, and implementing the Parking Master Plan.

In a statement about parking and bike lanes, Boggiano supporters talked about how important parking was for them in Ward C.

“As a small business owner in the community, my livelihood depends on my customers being able to find parking,” said local business owner Raju Radia. “I know we can count on Councilman Boggiano to help small businesses succeed by protecting and expanding street parking.”

Bing retorted in a quote to the Hudson County View, calling Boggiano's tactics on singling out parking "Trump-style demagoguery," and said Boggiano was trying to divide and conquer by pushing voters on one side or another of the argument.

"I’ve said that everyone wants to get from point A to point B safely. Over the past 8 years, do they feel parking has gotten better? Have we seen an actual reduction in traffic crashes," Bing said in the article.

The run-off election will be held Dec. 7.