STAND. COM. REP. NO.  64-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2421

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2421 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to allow for the increased use of alternative modes of transportation by amending the definition of bicycle in the Statewide Traffic Code to include motorized bicycles.

     The Department of Transportation (DOT) testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) of the City and County of Honolulu supported the intent of this measure.

     Bicycles are an alternative mode of transportation suitable for Hawaii's mild climate.  Technological innovations, along with economic and environmental concerns, have given rise over the past several years to the development of electric and other motorized types of bicycles.  These motorized bicycles are used by numerous individuals throughout the United States, as well as in Hawaii.  However, because bicycles are currently defined as a vehicle that is solely propelled by human power, it has been difficult to register these vehicles.  Allowing these devices to be registered and legally operated in Hawaii may increase their use as an alternative means of transportation.

     However, concerns were raised by DOT regarding the size of these vehicles and their safe operation on our roadways.  DTS also raised concerns that these types of bicycles may not meet the specifications allowing for their safe transport on bike racks attached to public transportation vehicles.  Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by specifying that:

     (1)  Bicycles powered by an electric motor only be equipped with two wheels rather than two or three wheels; and

     (2)  Only bicycles that met certain exact specifications would be allowed to be transported on buses used in public transportation systems.

     Other technical, nonsubstantive amendments were made 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. 2421, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2421, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair