April 1979 The Bikeway Plan - Laserfiche WebLink

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s INTRODUCTION As alternate means of transportation are sought, the establishment of bikeways deserves serious consideration. Bicycling as a method of transportation is relatively inexpensive in equipment; quiet and less congesting than motor vehicles; non - polluting; not espe- cially dangerous to pedestrians; and provides healthful exercise and recreation. It provides a way for children and adults to become mobile without dependence on the automobile. The need f or the establishment of a bikeway system is quite appar- ent. The successful Bike -In on Sunday, May 7, 1972, and various and growing requests, both verbal and written, from groups such as the Hilo women's Club, the central. 4 -H organization, various Kumiais and the University students attest to this. At the pre- sent time the County of Hawaii utilizes Chapter 291 -C HRS, the Statewide Traffic Code ■ for governing the operation of bicycles. This traffic code requires that, "whenever a usable bicycle lane has been provided on a highway, any person operating a bicycle... shall ride within such bicycle lane,..." There is only one high- way in the County of Hawaii which incorporates a designated lane for bicycles. Located in Kailua, this lane is the beginning of a system of bikeways in the County. In the interim, as it has been in the past, cyclists must share the roadways and/or side- walks. However, this sharing of roadways and sidewalks, together with the increase of motorists and bicyclists, presents the pro- bability of increased conflicts between motor vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle needs. In anticipation of this problem, the need of a bikeway Galan was realized and subsequently developed. The primary goal of the Bikewa Plan is to guide the develo men of a safe and usable bikeway system. The creation of the Bikeway Plan is also linked to the Federal Highway Administration, a major source of bikeway funding, which stresses the need for a master plan in order to receive federal -aid participation on eligible bikeway projects. It was necessary to assemble and analyze a variety of information in developing the Bikeway Plan. Various bikeway designs and plans were examined from communities throughout the United States and Europe. Articles commenting on and evaluating the different sys- tems were also examined. A survey was conducted in five different Hilo schools to solicit further comments to several design concepts. Furthermore, an ad hoc citizens advisory committee was established to determine the specific needs of the bicyclists on the island. While the Bikeway Plan was developed in response to growing con- cerns for the bicyclist, it included consideration of other plans and programs including BIKEPLAN HAWAII: A STATE OF HAWAII MASTER PLAN. The County General Plan, which directs the overall develop - m nt of the County was consulted for policy guidance statements. It is with these following policy statements in mind that the Bike- way Plan was formulated, A policy from the Environmental Quality Element of the General Plan states that: -1- r