STAND. COM. REP. NO. 653
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 416
S.D. 1
Honorable Donna Mercado Kim
President of the Senate
Twenty-Eighth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2015
State of Hawaii
Madam:
Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 416 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CYCLE TRACKS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to:
(1) Authorize the use of the State highway fund for the establishment of cycle tracks;
(2) Define cycle track; and
(3) Clarify permitted uses on cycle tracks under the Statewide Traffic Code.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Honolulu Police Department; Department of Transportation Services, City and County of Honolulu; Hawaii Bicycling League; Blue Planet Foundation; and one individual.
Your Committee finds that this measure is intended to immediately address a new cycle track established by the City and County of Honolulu on South King Street, although the measure applies to all cycle tracks. The King Street cycle track officially opened as a one-way cycle track on Saturday, December 6, 2014. Bicyclists heading in the East-bound direction are permitted to use the cycle track.
Your Committee supports bicycling as an ideal alternative to motorized vehicle travel since it reduces traffic, is environmentally friendly, and promotes good health.
Cycle tracks also fulfill the intent of the Complete Streets Policy established under section 264-20.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), "that seeks to reasonably accommodate convenient access and mobility for all users of the public highways within their respective jurisdictions as described under section 264-1, [HRS,] including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, motorists, and persons of all ages and abilities".
Your Committee applauds the efforts of the City and County of Honolulu to ease traffic congestion, but is especially concerned about the safety aspects of a cycle track that allows for two-way travel since motorists and pedestrians must be extra vigilant for bicyclists heading in both directions. Your Committee notes that the cycle track on South King Street is adjacent to street parking stalls, making travel by bicyclists and motorists somewhat dangerous. Your Committee notes further that there is moderate to heavy pedestrian traffic on South King Street which could further complicate matters. Therefore, your Committee urges the City and County of Honolulu to exercise due caution if it allows the cycle track on South King Street to accommodate two-way travel on the same track.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Amending section 264-18(c), HRS, to authorize, by rule of the Department of Transportation or counties through the adoption of an ordinance, lanes, paths, routes, ways, and cycle tracks to be used by pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles;
(2) Clarifying that two bicycle riders may ride next to each other on a bicycle lane, cycle track, and bicycle path under certain circumstances unless otherwise prohibited by rule or ordinance adopted by the Department of Transportation or the counties respectively;
(3) Specifically authorizing the Director of Transportation by rule and the counties through the adoption of an ordinance to allow mopeds to use bicycle lanes, cycle tracks, and bicycle paths, rather than restricting or prohibiting such uses through the postage of signs; and
(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.
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 S.B. No. 416, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 416, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,
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________________________________ CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair |
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