2025 Mayoral 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 presents each candidate’s full response in its entirety. If you’d prefer to read responses grouped by each question to aid in comparing and contrasting, you can visit the link below:
All candidates appearing on this year’s ballot were invited to participate and 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.
Read all responses below, or click a name to jump directly to their section:
Michael Russo
Infrastructure and Funding
1. Do you support funding the Vision Zero Safety Improvement Project on Willow Avenue (11th–16th Streets)? (Yes / No)
YES
2. Do you support Hoboken reauthorizing funding for Citi Bike? (Yes / No)
Yes – but we have the right to negotiate with them regarding pricing, amount of curbside space taken up, etc.
3. When negotiating new developments, should Hoboken prioritize space for additional parking spaces or prioritize additional housing units? (Housing / Parking)
Housing
4. What would you do to improve the Hop? (Open response)
I was the first candidate to propose electrifying the Hop and adding new routes. The vehicles we currently have are depreciating monstrosities, so imagine a public/private partnership that adds app-based rideshare components along with consistent routes. In addition, there are new routes I’ll explore in addition to the current route list. A Hop After Dark will keep our students safe and support local businesses, a Medical Hop route will get our residents to their appointments and keep our community safe and healthy, and an additional, dedicated senior Hop will help Hoboken’s elders remain independent.
5. Many infrastructure projects require cooperation with neighboring municipalities and Hudson County. How would you build collaboration to advance key transportation improvements? (Open response)
Despite what anyone says in response to this question, the answer will come down to relationships. Maintaining open lines of communication and positive working relationships with our county, state and federal partners is the way to get help from them. By working relationships I mean constituent services, I mean interagency cooperation, and I mean mutual promotion of positive work.
Safety & Vision Zero
6. 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)
I think there are tangible steps to take to improve visibility and speed issues: enforcing double-parking regulations, ensuring more efficient turnaround in our loading zones, and installation of more speed humps. Of course, that all comes down to budget.
7. What steps would you take to improve safety for students walking or biking to school in Hoboken? (Open response)
Protected bike lanes for the bikers, and better enforcing our traffic laws for those walking. Enforcement in particular has been a chronic issue with this administration. There is no shortage of parents in Hoboken who have had an e-bike delivery driver zoom past them on the sidewalk, and the ticketing of those individuals will be paramount in ensuring the safety of our youngest residents who are just trying to get to and from school.
8. How should Hoboken use crash data to guide and prioritize transportation safety improvements? (Open response)
Our public safety data will always be a valuable source. I also think community input is equally important. When neighbors say “we think there should be a speed hump here because people zoom down this street and a crash is bound to happen,” we shouldn’t be dismissive of that. Vision Zero is about being proactive to prevent tragedy. Regarding prioritization, to me it’s a holistic approach: what are the other construction projects happening across Hoboken at the moment, what does traffic flow look like, what is the estimated completion time, what’s the proximity to a school, etc.
Policy & Planning
9. Do you support the use of automated enforcement (e.g., cameras) to ticket illegally parked vehicles? (Yes / No)
Depends. An example I do support is using automated means to enforce loading zone violations beyond the allotted allowable time.
10. 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)
I believe all bike lanes should be PBLs, but I also believe all streets should not have a bike lane. A holistic approach is best. Where applicable we will install PBLs by simply restriping lanes and using the parking lane as the protective barrier. I will explore that where possible, but I will not remove parking outright.
11. 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)
See answer to #10. We must specifically allocate parking by delineating spaces for cars, motorcycles, and bikes (including e-bikes) Also, my housing policy commits to fighting for deeded/included indoor parking in new residential development. Before we “reimagine” our curb per se, we’ve got to make sure that we’ve got a backup plan.
12. How should Hoboken update policies and infrastructure to safely support the growing use of low-speed electric bicycles for deliveries? (Open response)
We need to enforce the laws we currently have. The Council passed Tests and Vests in order to register and educate individuals; unfortunately, City Hall dropped the ball. The first day of rollout there were not enough vests, and the administration spent the next year slow rolling any ticketing while its allies on the Council tried to spin it as “the law didn’t work.” To this day there are delivery drivers zooming on sidewalks, stealing dedicated commuter spots on bike racks by the PATH, and blowing red lights. Without committing to enforcement, how can we be trusted with anything else?
13. What would you do to prioritize and expedite construction of the 15th Street Hudson-Bergen Light Rail station? (Open response)
Short of advocating for increased NJ Transit funding, it comes down to the relationships. This project, just like the Gateway project and any other major infrastructure improvement that crosses through multiple jurisdictions, relies on a series of grants, alternative funding streams, and politics. Now more than ever! Making that happen will require everyone representing Hoboken, both in City Hall and the legislature, to maintain positive working relationships. It’s so much more difficult to get things done if you cannot find common ground; that’s a problem in our federal politics, and it affects things downstream.
14. What are your ideas for improving cross-Hudson transit service? (Open response)
We have to maintain positive relationships with Trenton, Albany, and NYC in order to make improvements to NJT/PATH. Additionally, we must keep an open dialogue with our unions in order to prevent disaster. Think back to that week or two before Memorial Day where we got hit with the perfect storm: Jersey Ave closed, construction all over, and NJ Transit workers on the precipice of a strike. The people of Hoboken were victims of poor planning, and that absolutely affected the quality of service. We also have to eliminate the overnight storage of delivery e-bikes, limiting commuter spots at our PATH-adjacent bike racks…again, that’s a matter of enforcement.
Community & Equity
15. 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)
I do this every day. I’ve openly engaged with Bike Hoboken and other organizations when crafting my own policy proposals and hosting town halls around the City. People who use bicycles will have always been and will always be welcome at the table. I will always have an open dialog with all residents of Hoboken. Open communication and engagement is a priority.
16. What role do you believe active transportation (walking, biking, micromobility) should play in Hoboken’s climate and sustainability goals? (Open response)
An extremely important role. Keeping parks and open space as a priority encourages people to seek recreation within our city instead of traveling out of town. That, by definition, reduces the reliance on cars and incentivizes micromobility. Reimagining the Hop, as previously stated, and expanding other micromobility programs like our bike share program accomplish the same goal. However, in this precarious economy and especially given the major roads that go in and out of Hoboken which are vital for commerce, increased micromobility has to be a demand-side shift. At the end of the day it’s still a choice, and especially when there are so many commuters who live here (myself included), I believe that we should be accommodating of people’s various transportation needs.
17. How would you ensure that transportation improvements support accessibility for people with disabilities and mobility challenges? (Open response)
I’m the only candidate in this race that has put compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on the forefront of my campaign. This is a priority for me, with an ADA audit baked into not just my overall plans, but my 100 Day Plan for what I think we can realistically accomplish in the first three months of my administration, which of course includes transportation throughout our city. I have a constituent who lives on Jackson Street whose son is a wheelchair user, and she’s told me outright how the sidewalks are so bad in Hoboken that her son has had to leave the sidewalk and travel out into the street. This is simply unacceptable, and with respect to the ADA would frankly be considered illegal.
18. How would you ensure that walking and biking infrastructure is equitably distributed across all Hoboken neighborhoods, including underserved areas? (Open response)
Regular surveys and community input. I think before we spend a ton of money contracting with another vendor to do a major study, we should get that data in-house instead of asking them to do it. It’s cheaper to do a series of town halls than to farm that process out.
Personal Experience & Vision
19. How often do you walk or bike for transportation in Hoboken? What have your experiences been like? (Open response)
As a working-class father of four, finding time to bike is a rare luxury. Being the sole provider means my days revolve around work and family responsibilities. My wife and I shuttle the kids around in our minivan, and for nearby errands or outings, we usually walk. I genuinely love biking but between the demands of daily life and limited free time, it’s simply not practical.
20. (Optional) Is there anything else you’d like to share about your vision for walking, biking, and active transportation in Hoboken? (Open response)
My philosophy is that for all the taxes we pay and for the high cost of living that everyone is experiencing, it’s wrong to penalize someone for the method of transportation they choose. That means our approach should be additive, not subtractive, and we must be interested in each other’s point of view. I’m committed to being that balancing force between those who are proponents of bike riding, and those who recognize our parking shortage. The two can coexist with a holistic view of each city block, and with my lifelong knowledge of our city I’ll make it happen.
Dini Ajmani
Infrastructure and Funding
1. Do you support funding the Vision Zero Safety Improvement Project on Willow Avenue (11th–16th Streets)? (Yes / No)
Yes
2. Do you support Hoboken reauthorizing funding for Citi Bike? (Yes / No)
Yes
3. When negotiating new developments, should Hoboken prioritize space for additional parking spaces or prioritize additional housing units? (Parking / Housing)
Parking - For many who live here, car ownership is a must. Many residents work in areas that are not well-connected by public transportation. Kids need to be driven to sports. Looking for parking has become a source of angst. Solving parking will be a top issue for me as mayor.
4. What would you do to improve the Hop?(Open response)
Invest in some marketing about HOP. Newcomers to our city are generally unaware of this great facility. A few designated stops will be very helpful. “Stops for HOP”
5. Many infrastructure projects require cooperation with neighboring municipalities and Hudson County. How would you build collaboration to advance key transportation improvements?(Open response)
Building relationships is my superpower. As Assistant Treasurer for the State of New Jersey, I was well-positioned to be of help to the leaders of Hudson County, NJ Transit, Port Authority, and the leadership of Jersey City. I was myself on the board of NJ Transit for four years. Trust-based relationships with partners will bring about the changes Hoboken desperately needs.
Safety & Vision Zero
6. 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)
In some places, bollards are unnecessary and counterproductive to the goals of Vision Zero. Their presence removes availability of corner spots that an Uber driver or a delivery truck would use for in-and-out. Instead, they double park next to the bollards, making it impossible for pedestrians to see oncoming cars.
7. What steps would you take to improve safety for students walking or biking to school in Hoboken?(Open response)
We cannot rely on little ones to have the necessary judgement to foresee danger. Around the schools, we need protected bike lanes and secure sidewalks.
8. How should Hoboken use crash data to guide and prioritize transportation safety improvements? (Open response)
“You cannot change what you cannot measure”. I am so impressed with the initiative that has given us much-needed data on where the crashes are happening. I will use that data, as your mayor, to prioritize restructuring of transportation around the most crash-prone areas.
Policy & Planning
9. Do you support the use of automated enforcement (e.g., cameras) to ticket illegally parked vehicles? (Yes / No)
Yes - But it has to go hand-in-hand with providing 15-minute parking spots for in-and-out customers of our small businesses.
10. 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)
Yes
11. 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)
Reduce the number of permits the city gives out. For every parking space we have approximately two permits. In some parts of the city, the number of permits given out are 3.5 times the spaces available.
12. How should Hoboken update policies and infrastructure to safely support the growing use of low-speed electric bicycles for deliveries? (Open response)
The delivery bikers are rewarded for completing more deliveries and doing so on-time, and hence they break rules and ride at unsafe speeds. We should follow NYC’s lead and limit the number of delivery bikes per app in our city. This will take pressure off of the bikers themselves. I would also demand accountability from the apps to remove those bikers who break rules. Law enforcement should report the cell number of those bikers to the apps.
13. What would you do to prioritize and expedite construction of the 15th Street Hudson-Bergen Light Rail station? (Open response)
I will work with my friends and colleagues at NJTransit, especially the board members, to provide necessary capital to expedite the project.
14. What are your ideas for improving cross-Hudson transit service? (Open response)
Hobokenites are a big source of revenue for the Port Authority—about 20,000 of us commute to NYC daily, paying fares on buses, trains, and ferries.
As mayor, here’s what I’d push for:
Immediate cross-honoring with NY Waterway ferries whenever PATH service is disrupted. The $3 ferry rides worked beautifully during the last shutdown.
More weekend service. Even on good days, trains run 20 minutes apart. We need shorter waits.
A smooth commute can make all the difference in our daily lives. With the fares and taxes we pay, we deserve nothing less.
Community & Equity
15. 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)
As mayor, I would schedule frequent meetings with cycling advocates. As a bike-rider myself, I am so very appreciative of our city’s bicycle infrastructure and would love to see it grow.
16. What role do you believe active transportation (walking, biking, micromobility) should play in Hoboken’s climate and sustainability goals? (Open response)
I am always in favor of more cycling and less car use. Less congestion, less honking, less pollution. That said, I know many in our city rely on cars for many aspects of daily life and in many cases simply have no alternative. I am personally pro-cycling but not here to lecture my fellow residents.
17. How would you ensure that transportation improvements support accessibility for people with disabilities and mobility challenges? (Open response)
Infrastructure must serve everyone. Safer curb cuts, audible signals, and ADA-compliant design ensure mobility equity for seniors, families, and people with disabilities
18. How would you ensure that walking and biking infrastructure is equitably distributed across all Hoboken neighborhoods, including underserved areas? (Open response)
I would start with ensuring that the Citi bike-share service serves all parts of Hoboken. I live close to Mama Johnson field. The bike station close to it is neglected compared to other bike stations.
Personal Experience & Vision
19. How often do you walk or bike for transportation in Hoboken? What have your experiences been like? (Open response)
I almost always walk or bike within Hoboken. I have an annual subscription to Citi Bike. This program could use some attention from management to improve operations. As a daily commuter, it is challenging to rely on availability of bikes at the docking stations. Anytime after 8pm, it is almost impossible to find an available spot in the South-Midwest to dock the bike. Equitable distribution of bikes around the city needs attention.
20. (Optional) Is there anything else you’d like to share about your vision for walking, biking, and active transportation in Hoboken? (Open response)
Roads. They are broken up and not paved. This makes biking very challenging. On Jefferson street, the bike lane got dug up and never repaired properly. We need to hold utility companies responsible for restoring our roads after repair work.
Emily Jabbour
Infrastructure and Funding
1. Do you support funding the Vision Zero Safety Improvement Project on Willow Avenue (11th–16th Streets)? (Yes / No)
Yes
2. Do you support Hoboken reauthorizing funding for Citi Bike? (Yes / No)
Yes
3. When negotiating new developments, should Hoboken prioritize space for additional parking spaces or prioritize additional housing units? (Parking / Housing)
Housing
4. What would you do to improve the Hop? (Open Response)
The HOP needs additional investments for more shuttles so that you can locate them every 15 minutes rather than every 30 minutes (currently), and to expand the hours of service to start earlier and run later, as well as weekend service. I also love the idea of a holiday HOP that would feature a route that connects to a circuit of local businesses in partnership with the City and the Hoboken Business Alliance.
5. Many infrastructure projects require cooperation with neighboring municipalities and Hudson County. How would you build collaboration to advance key transportation improvements?
Hoboken needs to take a more active seat at the table when it comes to Hudson County dynamics by working more directly with our County Commissioner and the County Executive to find common goals, for example, tying the discussion to our mutual support for the Vision Zero initiative. I think more regular communication to share the background thinking and the data that drives our decisions around infrastructure investments is also a positive way to get more buy-in from the County stakeholders.
Safety & Vision Zero
6. 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)
There is still much work to be done when it comes to infrastructure – particularly protected bike lanes. I want to see real progress on the upgrades to a protected bike lane on Sinatra Drive, the creation of the green circuit around the perimeter of the city, and additional improvements to infrastructure throughout the city such as the corner bump outs. I would like to see continued use of the camera-assisted enforcement that just started with CLEAR as a way to also keep Washington Street clear of park violations.
7. What steps would you take to improve safety for students walking or biking to school in Hoboken? (Open Response)
I would like to focus on the concept of safe routes when it comes to looking at how crash data can guide a focus on getting children to school safely. I think this approach could also be useful when looking at our senior citizens going to the senior center, etc. I think we should concentrate our crossing guards to the highest crash areas in line with these school routes.
8. How should Hoboken use crash data to guide and prioritize transportation safety improvements?
I think an analysis of crash data in a report format that is similar to the Bike Hoboken Traffic Injury Report would be helpful to focus our efforts and investment into the areas of the city that have the highest number of crash incidents. As noted previously, I also think we should allocate staff such as crossing guards in a way that reflects those areas that are most at risk for children traveling about town.
Policy & Planning
9. Do you support the use of automated enforcement (e.g., cameras) to ticket illegally parked vehicles? (Yes / No)
Yes
10. 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)
Yes
11. 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)
Given that the findings of this report prove that people are using the curbside for car storage, we need to invest in more capacity in our city-owned parking garages to encourage the use of garage space as opposed to on-street parking. We also need to implement more technology when it comes to wayfinding for use of said garage spaces based on open capacity for visitors and residents. I’d like to continue to maximize the use of curbside spots by encouraging the continuation of programs like the parklets for restaurants because I feel it adds to the unique quality of life for Hoboken residents. Finally, we must continue to look at dynamic pricing structures and camera enhanced enforcement as ways to keep regular turnover in our main business/commercial district along Washington Street.
12. How should Hoboken update policies and infrastructure to safely support the growing use of low-speed electric bicycles for deliveries? (Open Response)
There is a long-standing ordinance on the books that says that bikers on sidewalks should not travel faster than pedestrians – I think we need to continue outreach with HPD to the delivery drivers about this law, and work with the restaurants to assist. I think expanding the network of protected bike lanes (e.g. the green circuit and interior lanes) helps ensure that all electric bicycles use these dedicated lanes; and the use of camera- enhanced enforcement on Washington will keep the green bike lane clear and more easily accessible.
13. What would you do to prioritize and expedite construction of the 15th Street Hudson-Bergen Light Rail station? (Open Response)
I think the best option for investing in the build out of the 15th Street Hudson-Bregen Light Rail station is to use community givebacks for the private development projects in this area to invest in this new transit point. Adding an uptown light rail station at this location creates many new opportunities to open up the accessibility of this neighborhood and brings new energy and life to the planned commercial center along 15th Street. As Mayor, I would also advocate with our state legislature to earmark state funding for this much-needed transit point.
14. What are your ideas for improving cross-Hudson transit service? (Open Response)
I am proud to work actively with the Hudson County Complete Streets team on advocating for improved PATH service as one of the best resources available for cross-Hudson service. I am committed to ongoing advocacy with both Port Authority and NJ Transit to ensure PATH and bus service is meeting demand. I see the growing lines for the 126 bus on Clinton Street and know it means we need to sit down and look at getting more capacity with additional articulated buses on that route and explore adding a Madison/Monroe Street route.
Community & Equity
15. 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)
I think the City needs to do a better job of following the key social work tenant of meeting people where they are at – that means sending Transportation staff members out to talk to people on the streets and commuting on a regular basis to gather feedback on a particular project. I don’t think it is enough to email blast or post links on social media for surveys – I think more meaningful and deliberate engagement is needed.
16. What role do you believe active transportation (walking, biking, micromobility) should play in Hoboken’s climate and sustainability goals? (Open Response)
I think that active transportation options are essential to achieving Hoboken’s climate goals. I think we need to incentivize residents to think broadly about the impact of their daily transportation habits on goals such as addressing climate change and empower residents to feel like they can be a part of the solution.
17. How would you ensure that transportation improvements support accessibility for people with disabilities and mobility challenges? (Open Response)
I think that often the City overlooks the vulnerable populations that experience mobility differently due to some level of challenge or disability. Again, I think the City needs to be deliberate about engaging this subset to ensure that we are crowdsourcing solutions from them directly to properly meet their needs. It is important that Hoboken has a better reputation when it comes to accessibility – for example promoting the accessibility of the free HOP shuttle and holding the Port Authority accountable if/when the elevator service at the Hoboken PATH Terminal is not in service (I hear about that too often).
18. How would you ensure that walking and biking infrastructure is equitably distributed across all Hoboken neighborhoods, including underserved areas? (Open Response)
I think education and outreach is an important first step to bridging the gap in this area. I think we need to be mindful about the HOP schedule/map when it comes to providing that critical service to residents to ensure that there is access throughout the City – and acknowledge that the routes and needs of some populations may look different than others, e.g. where do residents of the SW corner of Hoboken most often travel to versus the residents in the middle/interior of the City versus seniors who may live uptown at Fox Hill. Hoboken is a small enough City that we can look at these patterns and understand the stories behind the usage.
Personal Experience & Vision
19. How often do you walk or bike for transportation in Hoboken? What have your experiences been like? (Open Response)
I ride my bicycle to get around most days. If there is a day when I have not bicycled to get around, I’ve likely walked. I have been in a number of situations where cars have acted aggressively toward me as a bike rider, for example while taking the lane on First Street – so I have had to educate those drivers on what the paint markings on the street mean. My family does own one car that most often my husband will use for his reverse commute to the suburbs.
20. (Optional) Is there anything else you’d like to share about your vision for walking, biking, and active transportation in Hoboken? (Open Response)
Thank you to Bike Hoboken for your long standing advocacy to make our community safer!
Ruben Ramos
Infrastructure and Funding
1. Do you support funding the Vision Zero Safety Improvement Project on Willow Avenue (11th–16th Streets)? (Yes / No)
The final design has not been determined, so I cannot commit to a yes or no without knowing what will actually be voted on. For example, an early version proposed a two-way cycle track in front of Wallace Elementary, which faced strong opposition from the schools. I support safety improvements on Willow Avenue, but my vote would depend on the design details.
2. Do you support Hoboken reauthorizing funding for Citi Bike? (Yes / No)
Yes, I intend to renew the CitiBike contract, and if that can’t be achieved, I would seek another bike share provider. However, renewal should come with negotiations. Since 2021, e-bike rates for members have doubled from $0.10 per minute to $0.21 per minute. I would push for limits on fare increases and for safety improvements that hold users accountable when they break traffic laws, such as making bike numbers more visible for enforcement.
3. When negotiating new developments, should Hoboken prioritize space for additional parking spaces or prioritize additional housing units? (Parking / Housing)
It depends on the development. In a transit-rich city like Hoboken, adding housing often makes more sense than adding parking, but every project is different. If a development is in a location where transit access is strong and curbside parking is already under pressure, then prioritizing housing is the better choice. But if the development is in an area with limited transit connections or where parking demand is already creating serious neighborhood tensions, then parking may need to be part of the conversation. The key is to balance housing needs, transportation access, and quality of life for existing residents on a case-by-case basis.
4. What would you do to improve the Hop? (Open response)
The service is great, but too many residents don’t even know it exists. I would focus on a marketing campaign to raise awareness and induce demand, because the more riders we get, the more it justifies expanding the service.
If we can grow ridership, it justifies more investment. My $5 ferry proposal is one way to get commuters out of Ubers or cars. As a former Assemblyman, I already have experience with intergovernmental work and relationships with Jersey City, Weehawken, and Union City that will help make these regional solutions a reality.
5. Many infrastructure projects require cooperation with neighboring municipalities and Hudson County. How would you build collaboration to advance key transportation improvements? (Open response)
As both a former New Jersey Assemblyman and a current City Councilman, I bring real experience working across jurisdictions to deliver results. Transportation projects in Hoboken often require collaboration with Hudson County and our neighbors in Jersey City, Union City, and Weehawken. I already have relationships with many of these leaders, and I know how to build coalitions to move projects forward. Whether it’s safer bike and pedestrian infrastructure, transit improvements like the 15th Street light rail station, or better cross-town connections, I’m ready to use my legislative and local government background to get it done.
Safety & Vision Zero
6. 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)
Vision Zero must include commercial e-bikes. As the sponsor of the “test and vest” law, one of my priorities is finally implementing it, the administration has slow-rolled this. I also favor amending the no-sidewalk-biking law to remove the adult pedal-bike exemption (riding at “pedestrian speed”), because it’s unenforceable. On cars, we need both smarter street design and increased enforcement.
7. What steps would you take to improve safety for students walking or biking to school in Hoboken? (Open response)
Enforcement matters most. Hoboken has a 15 mph school zone limit, but it means nothing without enforcement. I support increased traffic enforcement before and after school hours to keep kids safe.
8. How should Hoboken use crash data to guide and prioritize transportation safety improvements? (Open response)
The City has already identified the most dangerous streets and intersections. The best time to implement fixes is during planned redesigns, some have already happened, and others are scheduled. Redesign is when the biggest safety gains can be made.
Policy & Planning
9. Do you support the use of automated enforcement (e.g., cameras) to ticket illegally parked vehicles? (Yes / No)
No. I was the only member of the Hoboken City Council to vote against this.
10. 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)
I believe Hoboken needs to be safer for bikers, and our street design already makes us safer than most cities of our size and density. Every potential protected bike lane has to be reviewed case by case. Not every street can or should have one, the Washington Street and Grand/Clinton proposals that didn’t happen proved that. But I supported protected bike lanes on Sinatra Drive, Observer Highway, and Marin Boulevard.
11. 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)
The Kimley-Horn study was biased from the start, they were caught intentionally leaving the word “parking” out of what was essentially a parking study. Once I became aware of that, I was the only mayoral candidate to vote against continuing to fund it. I also sponsored an ordinance banning dynamic pricing of residential parking permits, which would unfairly burden middle and working-class residents even with a low-income exemption.
12. How should Hoboken update policies and infrastructure to safely support the growing use of low-speed electric bicycles for deliveries? (Open response)
I was a sponsor of the Tests and Vests ordinance, and I’ve been frustrated by the administration’s lack of commitment to implementing it. They created a task force that tried to water it down — by removing numbers from vests and making violations a secondary offense. Once we stopped that, the city failed to order the right vests, then ran out when the correct ones finally arrived. As mayor, I’ll make sure this law is enforced properly, backed by a revamped code enforcement unit my campaign has proposed, so deliveries are safer for everyone.
13. What would you do to prioritize and expedite construction of the 15th Street Hudson-Bergen Light Rail station? (Open response)
The 15th Street Light Rail station has been discussed for years, and it’s time to move it from talk to action. As both a former Assemblyman and current Councilman, I know how to work with NJ Transit, Hudson County, and our neighboring towns to make sure this project gets prioritized. I would push for state and federal funding, make it a top item in any negotiations with developers in the area, and work to ensure the station design supports safe connections for pedestrians, cyclists, and commuters.
14. What are your ideas for improving cross-Hudson transit service? (Open response)
Cross-Hudson transit is essential for Hoboken’s residents and workers. My priority would be pushing for more reliable and affordable ferry service, like my proposal for a $5 commuter ferry, while also advocating for expanded PATH and bus capacity. I would also work with state and federal leaders to keep pressure on completing the Gateway Tunnel, which is critical for long term reliability. Hoboken can’t solve these challenges alone, but as mayor I’d make sure our city has a strong voice in every regional conversation.
Community & Equity
15. 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)
The problem with the current administration isn’t just what projects they pursue, it’s how they ignore good ideas when they come from outside their circle, like Tests and Vests, which I sponsored and they slow-walked. As mayor, I’ll make sure every resident is heard by holding genuine public meetings, listening sessions, and surveys that aren’t biased toward a pre-set outcome. People may disagree on street redesigns, but they deserve a fair process where their concerns are considered, not dismissed.
16. What role do you believe active transportation (walking, biking, micromobility) should play in Hoboken’s climate and sustainability goals? (Open response)
Walking, biking, and micromobility are a big part of Hoboken’s sustainability strategy, but they need to be integrated thoughtfully. Active transportation already thrives here because our compact size makes it practical, and we should continue to encourage it. That means safer streets for pedestrians and cyclists, more reliable transit connections, and policies that reduce car dependency without penalizing residents who still need to drive. Active transportation should be one tool in a broader plan that also includes better transit, green infrastructure, and smarter development.
17. How would you ensure that transportation improvements support accessibility for people with disabilities and mobility challenges? (Open response)
Accessibility has to be built into every transportation project from the start. That means more curb cuts, smoother sidewalks, protected crossings, and making sure bike lanes don’t interfere with ADA access points. It also means working closely with our disability community to hear
directly from them about what isn’t working today. As mayor, I’d make sure every street redesign or transit project goes through an accessibility review so that improvements benefit all residents, not just some.
18. How would you ensure that walking and biking infrastructure is equitably distributed across all Hoboken neighborhoods, including underserved areas? (Open response)
Equity means every neighborhood gets safe streets, not just the ones that speak the loudest. Some parts of Hoboken have seen major investments in bike and pedestrian infrastructure while others have been left behind. As mayor, I would prioritize underserved areas when planning upgrades, using crash and safety data to guide investments. And I’d make sure residents in those neighborhoods are part of the conversation from day one, so improvements reflect their needs and don’t feel imposed from above.
Personal Experience & Vision
19. How often do you walk or bike for transportation in Hoboken? What have your experiences been like? (Open response)
I walk every day in Hoboken, it’s how I get around most of the time, whether it’s to City Hall, meetings, or just running errands. Walking here is convenient, but it also shows me firsthand where our streets are working well and where safety can be improved. While I don’t bike as much myself, I see how important it is for those who do, and I support making sure both walking and biking are safe and accessible options for residents.
20. (Optional) Is there anything else you’d like to share about your vision for walking, biking, and active transportation in Hoboken? (Open response)
My vision for walking, biking, and active transportation is rooted in safety, fairness, and listening. Safer streets benefit everyone, whether you’re walking your child to school, biking to work, or driving responsibly. I believe in making thoughtful improvements that balance the needs of all residents, and I will always ensure the community has a real voice in these decisions. Hoboken works best when every neighborhood feels heard and when our infrastructure makes daily life safer and easier for all.