The city is also competing with ZipCar, and every car other rental agency by assisting Hertz on Demand, any private landlord by providing the HHA, private schools by providing public schools, concert halls by sponsoring free shows, and tons of other stuff. At some point, the city needs to determine when it can provide a good better than the private sector.

I really don't know how the bike share program in Hoboken will be structured, but if it's anything like other programs around the country and around the world, there will continue to be room for private bike rental businesses. Bike share programs are meant for short trips of less than 30 or 45 minutes. For longer trips, or for people who want to keep a bike over the weekend for instance, it's advisable to just rent a bike from a private service instead.

you have a good point GeeDee

Iam Sacs has not implemented one program in Hoboken that has not already been done in other cities.

The one + I will give him, is the creation the the 7p - 7a parking spots. I dont know who thought of that...but I didnt..therefore I consider it a smart, innovative idea.

PP, first, you say he hasn't done anything here that wasn't done anywhere else first. Then you cite something which may be novel.
Wouldn't you prefer not to be a guinea pig for something like an automatic garage that drops cars, instead taking ideas that have worked in other similar areas and implementing them? We really don't have the capital to be developing these programs, which are often done by public and private sector engineers, but the selection of the right ones for a town with a lot of tricky issues is the role of a good director, and in general, Ian excelled there.

The problem with traffic in Hoboken is not because of too many bikes. It has to do with too many cars. As you say, cyclists are less than 1% of the population (not sure if that's correct but hey)-- but they are certainly not 50% or 90% of the problem as your comment suggests.

You make an unsubstantiated claim but then again in your universe you are the captain so no surprise. This is about adding positive options. Obviously, doing so creates more success for Hoboken as with the Hertz Connect program.

The Old Guard hates innovation because it shows them up. They still offer no innovation and you can go to any Council meeting and see their obtuseness to no end fighting for big time developers, (now it's NJ Transit but Rockefeller plug in as you like) more city workers, and more subsidized housing.

They hated the Hertz program and Occhipinti looks like a buffoon as he gave up a clunker but still argues against the program that saw 750 less vehicles on the streets.

Castellano and Beth Mason hated it and along with Mike Russo tried to kill it repeatedly and refused to allow an ordinance to pass in support of the program as required by state law. They along wtih then councilman Nino Giacchi gave it a short term approval by resolution. If they could have maintained control over the City Council, they would have killed it.

Instead the program has over 3,000 Hoboken people signed on board and is making for a better city every day. The bike program will be complementary and positive too.

The problems driving in and out of Hoboken are true especially in rush hour. It's called overdevelopment. Ask the Old Guard why they keep pushing for more.

"This is about adding positive options." Positive for whom? Positive for the bycyclist? Possibly. Positive for any normal person trying to get in or out of town via Jackson street? Hell no.!!!

I have no problem with car sharing. I do have a problem with the heavy handed and judgemental way it was marketed. As if you were defiling the planet if you owned and used your own vehicle. ALL of the cars are foreign so the city showed no solidarity with our domestic auto industry. Finally, even if you do SURRENDER YOUR PERMIT. The administration wants you to drive a certain kind of car. Oh yes, No SUVs for you! They are good enough for concilmen though.

Hertz decided what kind of car they put in those spots. If you have a problem with what Hertz put there, take it up with them. I bet they ignore you though b/c you are not a customer and they really only care what customers think.

120 lb humans and 3000 lb plus vehicles on the streets create a situation where a disaster is waiting to happen. :-)