Disappeared News

Bike news is usually disappeared news in Hawaii. This update, just received, is from Natalie Iwasa, aka “Bicycle Mom.” Posted with permission.

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Bike School Bus in Hawaii Kai Parade Nov. 27

Spread the word – this will be the fourth year bicyclists will be riding in the annual Lions Club Holiday Parade.  Kids (and adults) are encouraged to decorate their bike and vie for prizes.  (Actually, as long as the number of participants isn’t too high, I’ll have something for all of the kids.)  The parade is Saturday, November 27.  Line up time is 9:15 – 9:30 a.m. near the skateboard park.  The parade starts at 10 a.m., and the route is down Lunalilo Home Road to the Koko Marina Shopping Center – about 1.5 miles.  Helmets are required.  Participants should register with me.

Bike Legislation & Related

Honolulu

Councilmember Donovan Dela Cruz has been busy the last few weeks.  You may recall that I was wondering why certain bike funds from the fiscal year 6/30/08 had lapsed (over 50% of a $1M budget).  I had asked the city administration for an explanation, and when I didn’t get one (after four months of waiting and several emails), I asked Councilmember Dela Cruz if he would follow up.  The result is resolution 10-297, which requests an audit of funds appropriated for bicycle projects.  This resolution is on the agenda for the Wednesday meeting of the Committee on Executive Matters and Legal Affairs.  I encourage you to at least read the resolution (you might be shocked, as I was, to find out that 90% of the $447,000 appropriation for FY 2006 lapsed) and send testimony.  Here’s the link with the agenda and information on how to provide testimony.  http://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-105981/2010%2011-10%20%20EMLA%20AGENDA.htm

By the way, I recently found out that my request for information regarding the lapsing of funds was not honored because management did not allow its release.  (If anyone is interested in which projects were involved and the reasons for lapsing, please let me know.)

Mayor Carlisle has submitted Wayne Yoshioka’s name as the temporary director of the Department of Transportation.   I just sent Wayne an email asking for an update of the master bike plan and resolution 10-58, which asks the city to do a bike-needs transportation and storage study.

Maui

Remember the Bicycle Safety Resolutions that were supported by 30 out of 33 Oahu Neighborhood Boards, OMPO, and Honolulu and Kauai Counties?  Maui is going to start working on a similar resolution.  (Thank you, Walter!)

Hawaii (State)

I will be participating in the Stakeholders Advisory Committee for the Statewide Long-Range Land Transportation Plan!  I was accepted as the business representative, but that does not preclude me from getting and sharing information with fellow bicyclists.  Our first meeting is November 18, and I’m excited to have this opportunity to provide input for our state’s land transportation policy for the next 25 years.

Construction Update

I’ve been working with the contractor for the right-turn from Keahole onto Kalanianaole Hwy. project.  They’ve been blocking the shoulder area and putting up signs before 7:40 a.m.  (I had originally been told signs would not be put up before 8:15 a.m.)  Construction sign placement has been an issue for quite some time.  My frustration level has reached a peak, and I’ve decided to see what can be done at the federal level.  Currently there are guidelines on where signs must be placed and a requirement that all contractors have a Temporary Traffic Control Plan.  I’ll keep you posted on this issue, as it will take quite a while to implement changes.

The sewer job in front of Koko Marina Shopping Center is moving right along.  The plates that were in the right turn lane on Lunalilo Home Road have been moved, but the bumps and pot holes remain.  The “sidewalk” on the mauka side of Kalanianaole Hwy. has been closed and plates are still in the shoulder near the first driveway, so I’ve found that it’s best to continue in the traffic lane until just after the first driveway.  The contractor on this job has been very responsive to requests to move signs, trucks and equipment.

The sewer job on Kalanianaole Hwy. in Aina Haina has been slowed a little by the rain, but riding through that area is not as bad as it was several weeks ago.  The second phase is in the works, however, so be ready for narrowed shoulders in the Wailupe area in the coming weeks/months.

Hawaii Kai 4^th of July

We’re working on a bike event for the Independence Day at Maunalua Bay celebration for Monday, July 4, 2011!  More information will come as plans unfold.

HBL Update

Since the Honolulu Century Ride is done, Chad Taniguchi, the new executive director, and the board have taken on a couple of new projects.  If you’re not a member of HBL, I encourage you to apply, stay updated and join the bicycle advocacy group.  There are many different ways to get involved, e.g., implementing a cyclovia or similar event.   

LCI Training

Thank you to Walter Enomoto for the reminder about the opportunity for a LAB training session.

Want to help others become better bicyclists?

Become a League of American Bicyclist (LAB) "League Certified Instructor"!

There is a movement about to hold a LAB LCI Instructor Training the weekend (actually Fri-Sun) of February 18-21.  The location of this training session is still in the works but should be confirmed shortly.  It is tentatively set for either Kauai or Oahu so some off-island travel will be needed.  For more information on what this course may have to offer, check it out here.  If you might be interested in attending, send Walter a line at bikeguy@hawaiiantel.net, and he’ll put you in touch with the organizers.

Slippery When Wet

Just a reminder to always use caution when riding in rainy weather.  I’ve ridden along Kalanianaole Hwy. in front of Trinity Lutheran Church (near Niu Valley) thousands of times, and many of those times were during rain.  If you’ve ridden along that route, you are familiar with the metal grate this is near the church’s driveway.  I’ve always gone right over the grate with no problems . . . until last week Friday.  I was on my way home from dropping the boys off at school.  I guess the oil and water mix was just right to make it very slippery when I went over it.  I almost lost control of my bike.  Lesson learned – always use extra caution in rain.

Pedaling Toward a Bicycle Safe Hawaii – Same Roads, Same Rules, Same Rights

A hui hou, Natalie