Jersey City cyclists looking for safe and secure places to store their bicycles near mass transit will now have more options.
Today Mayor Fulop and the Department of Infrastructure announced that Brooklyn-based Oonee (pronounced ooh-nee, after the Japanese word for sea urchin) will begin installing storage “pods” throughout the city.
In cooperation with the Port Authority, Oonee has operated a pod at Journal Square since 2021.
The new locations for the free, 24/7, bike and “micromobility vehicle” storage pods will go online this week at the Danforth Avenue Light Rail Station and McGinley Square. Pods at Exchange Place, Washington & Montgomery Streets, the Grove Street PATH Station and the Newport PATH Station will follow.
“Launching this citywide network of secure bike storage puts Jersey City at the forefront once again in advancing sustainability and transportation goals utilizing innovative approaches and public-private partnerships,” said Mayor Fulop.
According to Oonee, the storage “pods” are “vastly more secure than unprotected bicycle racks” because each user’s identity is verified, only verified users are allowed to access the facilities each station is equipped with a motion activated security camera.
“We are excited that Jersey City will be adding secure bike parking to the robust bike network that has been developed under Mayor Fulop,” said BikeJC President Ayla Schermer. “This critical aspect of the City’s infrastructure will serve to foster the recent growth in cycling that Jersey City has experienced.”
An additional 24 secure bike parking stations are planned throughout the City following the launch of this initial phase.
According to Bloomberg, a walk-in pod costs approximately $80,000. Oonee earns money through advertising and hopes to sell services through its app. The administration has not said how much the pods for Jersey City will cost or how they will be paid for.
“We’re absolutely delighted to deliver this service to the residents of Jersey City,” said Shabazz Stuart, CEO of Oonee. Stuart apparently came up with the idea for the pods after having his bike stolen three times in five years.
Residents can sign up for a free online account or download the Oonee mobile app. Oonee follows a three-day parking limit during peak times to ensure space is available for all regular users. For more details on permitted vehicles and all other information on the City’s new secure bike lockers, please visit the Oonee website.