2025 6th Ward Survey
At Bike Hoboken, we believe getting around our city should be safe, fun, and accessible, regardless of how you choose to move.
That’s why, every election year since 2017, we’ve asked Hoboken’s candidates where they stand on key transportation issues that matter to our community. While Bike Hoboken does not endorse any political candidates, we hope their responses will help you make an informed choice when casting your ballot.
How to Read the Questionnaire
This page groups each candidate’s responses by questions, to aid in comparing and contrasting answers. If you’d prefer to read responses grouped by each candidate, you can visit the link below:
All candidates for Hoboken’s 6th Ward City Council appearing on this year’s ballot were invited to participate. Responses are listed in random order. Candidates were asked to follow these guidelines:
Yes/No questions: Answers should be direct, although “No” responses may include a brief explanation, limited to 50 words
Open response questions: Responses should be concise, limited to 100 words (approximately the length of these instructions). Answers should emphasize high-level priorities and processes rather than exhaustive policy positions.
Infrastructure and Funding
1. Do you support funding the Vision Zero Safety Improvement Project on Willow Avenue (11th–16th Streets)? (Yes / No)
Diane Imus: Yes
Ian Rintel: Yes
Manuel Rivera Soler: Yes
2. Do you support Hoboken reauthorizing funding for Citi Bike? (Yes / No)
Diane Imus: Yes
Ian Rintel: Yes
Manuel Rivera Soler: No. I would like to request a review of all the amendments of the resolution of the funding of Citi bike. To make sure I can make a better-informed decision.
3. When negotiating new developments, should Hoboken prioritize space for additional parking spaces or prioritize additional housing units? (Parking / Housing)
Diane Imus: Expand new routes to make it more accessible to residents and consider electric vehicles. Improve communications regarding the HOP so people know how to use it. I believe that less people would drive for an errand if it was easy to hop on inter-city transit.
Ian Rintel: Housing
Manuel Rivera Soler: I would say additional housing at this time.
4. What would you do to improve the Hop? (Open Response)
Diane Imus: Continue to improve intersections, evaluate all-way stop signs in the interior of town rather than approaching the grid piecemeal.
Ian Rintel: Weekend service to area pools in the summer and around town in the winter.
Manuel Rivera Soler: I would like to see a more clearly defined designation on the locations of the pickup and drop-off point, with signs at these locations, so that all residents can know these are the places they can access the Hop. As well as continued updates to the hop app for a more user-friendly experience.
Safety & Vision Zero
5. Traffic injuries in Hoboken have steadily declined over the past eight years, despite an uptick in 2024. What actions would you prioritize in the next phase of Vision Zero to continue this progress? (Open Response)
Diane Imus: Consider safe bike routes near schools and evaluate reduced speeds closer to the middle/high school. I think an education plan at the schools about kids wearing earbuds while walking should be implemented ASAP. That education program should include buddy walking, and highlight the dangers crossing mid-block. More enforcement of double parked cars (in bikelanes) and outside of schools needs to be prioritized.
Ian Rintel: I’d look into raised crosswalks like Europe has, make bike lanes protected when feasible and look to replace the flashing I’m crossing button at 10th and Hudson with a stop sign.
Manuel Rivera Soler: To advance Vision Zero, I’d prioritize safer intersections, slower vehicle speed, and stronger education. As someone with a disability, I've felt unsafe crossing wide streets where cars turn quickly. Small design changes like raised crosswalks and curb extensions can make mobility safer and more accessible for everyone. These should be considered and implemented wherever possible.
6. What steps would you take to improve safety for students walking or biking to school in Hoboken? (Open Response)
Diane Imus: I support ticketing double parked cars in bike lanes but have concerns about how the automated enforcement cameras were rolled out recently.
Ian Rintel: Let’s make a bike bus! Or you can join mine, we leave from 10th and Garden or 10th and Hudson at 8:05 many days of the week.
Manuel Rivera Soler: To improve safety for students, I’d prioritize traffic calming around schools, raised crosswalks, and protected bike lanes. I'd also support crossing guards, clear signage, and safe drop off zones. These steps encourage walking and biking while giving families confidence that streets near schools are safe, accessible, and child friendly. These are all ideas that could be considered and implemented wherever possible.
Policy & Planning
7. Do you support the use of automated enforcement (e.g., cameras) to ticket illegally parked vehicles? (Yes / No)
Diane Imus: I support ticketing double parked cars in bike lanes but have concerns about how the automated enforcement cameras were rolled out recently.
Ian Rintel: Yes
Manuel Rivera Soler: No. Because, I believe more information should have been put out for the residents and stakeholders, so they could have had a bit more time to give feedback to the council before they voted on the resolution even though it is a temporary policy.
I hope the administration can present the results of the temporary camera enforcement to the council and the resident and business community as soon as they are available so that moving forward, if a permanent plan is proposed the resident can express the concerns to the council before any resolution is voted on.
8. Do you support building a fully connected network of protected bike lanes through the interior of Hoboken, even if it means repurposing street or curb space? (Yes / No)
Diane Imus: No - I don’t think it’s possible, and I’m not a fan of the bollards since they make the streets difficult to clean. I would rather see well maintained streets with integrated bike paths.
Ian Rintel: NO/MAYBE: I would need to see a specific design, not sure its possible.
Manuel Rivera Soler: Yes, I would but only if it is a thoroughly thought-out project with great input from the residents of all the areas being proposed for the repurposing.
9. Based on the findings of the Curb Reimagined Foundations Report (May 2025), what changes to curb space allocation would you advocate for, if any? (Open Response)
Diane Imus: One thing I would like Hoboken to consider is a 15-20 minute loading zone on each block on Washington. This would cut down on double parking.
Ian Rintel: Curb Space Allocation should be done pragmatically. While the study itself is interesting, I do not find it useful because any candidate can say they want to bring permit parking up from 24 percent to 28 percent. But how? There is a reason we have each allocation, and on a case by case basis, I’d like to see where we can do better - but this isn’t the sort of thing that can be usefully addressed in a holistic way.
Manuel Rivera Soler: I'd support curb policies that balance long term parking needs with shared use like loading zone and bike, micromobility safety improvements.
10. How should Hoboken update policies and infrastructure to safely support the growing use of low-speed electric bicycles for deliveries? (Open Response)
Diane Imus: There are laws on the books already that simply need to be enforced and I support increased enforcement, requiring restaurants to use only registered riders, and requiring app-based delivery riders to obtain a permit and carry liability. Ride app algorithms that contribute to reckless driving must be managed or eliminated. Waiting areas for drivers should be built with available shade and restrooms.
Ian Rintel: I would like to see restaurants double checking that the person who is picking up a delivery is the person who is supposed to be picking it up. As many drivers are anonymous, it’s impossible for there to be accountability. I suppose if the drivers truly are ‘low speed ( < 20 mph )’ they should share infrastructure with pedal cyclists.
Manuel Rivera Soler: As I see it the test and vest ordinance should be enforced in a more suitable manner. The ordinance is well meaning in theory but better enforcement as well as a more thorough review of its effect at deterging bad actors is merited.
As for any infrastructure project those should be proposed by the city's engineer and reviewed by the council and if there are any well proposed plans they should be submitted to the residents of Hoboken for their review and input. After a determination has been made the council should consider it and present a resolution for a vote.
I as a councilmember would look at all possible options available to improve all infrastructure that can keep Hoboken pedestrians and bicycles safe.
Community & Equity
11. How would you ensure that residents who express concern about bicycle infrastructure or street redesign projects are heard and meaningfully engaged in the decision-making process? (Open Response)
Diane Imus: Transparency should be fundamental to all of our major initiatives - nothing should be rolled out as a surprise. The council and Mayor should solicit feedback on any bike or street redesign projects before proceeding.
Ian Rintel: Just like a city council meeting, everyone should have their five minutes to speak.
Manuel Rivera Soler: I would always make sure that all the residents have the most up to date information as possible, especially the 6th ward residents that have not had direct representation on the city council for almost a year.
I look forward to discussing and engaging the residents with meaningful dialog, and I will listen to their concerns and priorities and incorporate them in any of my decisions as best as possible.
12. What role do you believe active transportation (walking, biking, micromobility) should play in Hoboken’s climate and sustainability goals? (Open Response)
Diane Imus: I support sustainability initiatives, and in supporting the goals of residents who want to reduce their carbon footprint. I would support initiatives that encourage more walking, and biking. I personally would love to see the HBA launch an initiative to encourage people to walk and pick up their food delivery with a discount.
Ian Rintel: “Active transportation” saves gallons of gas, space on streets when people forgo automobiles and makes our small city even smaller (and thus, less reason to leave Hoboken to get what people need). It’s a key role.
Manuel Rivera Soler: Active transportation should be central to Hoboken’s sustainability goal.
Walking, biking, and micromobility reduce emissions, ease congestion, and promote health. By creating safe, accessible, and connected infrastructure, Hoboken can cut car dependence, strengthen climate resilience, and ensure sustainable mobility that benefits all residents, including those with mobility challenges, these are some examples that can be considered.
13. How would you ensure that transportation improvements support accessibility for people with disabilities and mobility challenges? (Open Response)
Diane Imus: The expanded HOP should be handicap accessible.
Ian Rintel: NJ Transit buses need to be trained to kneel when they first enter Hoboken and remain kneeled until they depart Hoboken. Signage needs to be more clear that certain handicapped parking spaces are for one person only.
Manuel Rivera Soler: Accessibility is essential for equal participation, not just a feature to add later. As someone with a disability, I understand how small barriers like an out- of -service elevator can stop someone from traveling independently. I would ensure transportation improvements support accessibility by prioritizing universal design, involving people with disabilities in planning and testing, and making sure information is available in multiple formats. Accessibility design benefits everyone, parents with strollers, seniors, travelers and creates a system that's equitable and reliable for all.
Personal Experience & Vision
14. How often do you walk or bike for transportation in Hoboken? What have your experiences been like? (Open Response)
Diane Imus: I bike and walk every day in Hoboken. My experience biking has been fairly positive - with the exception of poorly maintained streets, and double parked cars in bike lanes. Generally there’s always somewhere to lock your bike.
Ian Rintel: I ride a bike and walk every single day. I have ridden a bicycle more miles than I’ve driven a car over the past dozen or more years. My six year old bikes to school every day.
Manuel Rivera Soler: I mostly walk around the city just about every day, but as a person with a disability I tend to walk slowly due to the uneven sidewalks.
It is hard to define a life long experience, but if I had to say as of late it is daunting as I mentioned earlier. Due to the uneven sidewalks and all the unexpected obstacles that come at you at every turn. But as a born son of Hoboken, I would not trade this city for anything else out there.
But as a councilmember, I would present common sense solutions to many of these issues, like the lack of public seating on our sidewalks.
15. (Optional) Is there anything else you’d like to share about your vision for walking, biking, and active transportation in Hoboken? (Open Response)
Diane Imus: [No additional response provided]
Ian Rintel: Contra-Flow is the way to go! Bike lanes in Hoboken are sometimes on the right side of a road, sometimes on the left side of the road (why?) and cyclists are always prone to ‘dooring’ (Yuck). Those of us on the right side of things like to say: “Either you understand contra-flow bike lanes or you are against them”
Ian Rintel - Sixth Ward Candidate - 201-479-2882.
Manuel Rivera Soler: I am running for Councilperson of Hoboken’s 6th Ward because this is my lifelong home, and I believe our community deserves strong, consistent representation. As a born son of Hoboken, I’ve dedicated myself to advocating for affordability, rent control, and safer streets and sidewalks. For nearly a year, our ward has lacked a voice at City Hall, and I want to change that.
I will fight to make Hoboken more affordable, safer, and more inclusive, while always putting the needs of the 6th Ward first and all of Hoboken. My love for this city is unending, and I am ready to serve as the voice of the 6th Ward that our community deserves.