STAND. COM. REP. NO.  243

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 497

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 497 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to improve Hawaii's bikeway system by earmarking two percent of federally eligible moneys from the State Highway Fund for bikeways and specifying the elements of bikeway development and maintenance.

     The Hawaii Bicycling League, Ke Ala Hele Makalae Committee, Maui Bicycling Alliance, Sierra Club-Hawaii Chapter, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Transportation Services of the City and County of Honolulu supported the intent of this measure.  The Department of Transportation opposed this bill.

     Bicycling has the benefits of lessening traffic congestion, lowering repair and maintenance costs of Hawaii's roadways, and improving the overall air quality of our State, as well as the health of our citizens.  While bicycling is fast becoming a favored mode of transportation, especially in light of high fuel costs, there are a number of safety concerns bicyclists face on our roads each day.  Ensuring a coordinated and continuous system of bikeways will help improve bicycling safety.

     However, your Committee has been informed that bike plans exist at both the State and county level and that in order to create this coordinated system of bikeways, county master bicycling plans need to be included in the planning process.  Accordingly, your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1)  Requiring that the two percent of eligible federal moneys from the State Highway Fund be used for bikeways, as well as bike paths and bike lanes in both the State and county master bicycling plan; and

(2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 497, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 497, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair