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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0679.031 2022-2024 P / PcPLuo PhilI f25 From: Susan Ince Sent: • Thursday,January 18, 2024 11:12 AM r C�, To: Council Testimony Subject: Bill 125 co c) "lc) We are residents of Kapa'au writing in support of Bill 125,which would prohibit commercial bje from operating on the Kohala Mountain Road and on Akoni Pule Highway from mile marker 25 Pal`©' : Valley. We regularly drive the Kohala Mountain Road and Akoni Pule Highway.We have been in near-misses with bicyclists participating in tours, including having to take quick action to avoid striking a large man who was unable to control his bicycle and had fallen onto Akoni Pule Highway near Pololu. In addition, other dangers we have noted from the bicycle tours include: • Shoulders that are narrow, rough, slippery from rain or falling fruit, or non-existent, raising the risk of harm whenever a bicyclist or driver must swerve to avoid a collision—particularly on the blind curves. • Riders that do not yield to oncoming traffic on one-lane bridges. • Bicyclists who often ride two abreast, or stop in the road to take photos/videos of their adventures, creating an additional hazard and making it impossible to pass them safely. We believe that many participants in bicycle tours are visitors who assume that a commercial tour will be located on roads safe for that purpose, and who assume that they are not interfering with the regular routes of residents just trying to go to work/school/appointments. The reality of the situation contradicts these assumptions. Bill 125 seems a reasonable measure to improve the safety of residents and visitors alike. It makes sense to prohibit commercial tours from all of Kohala Mountain Road and from Akoni Pule Highway past mile marker 25, before the dangerous curves and one-lane bridges begin. Mahalo for taking public input on this important matter. Susan Ince Andrea Longpre PO Box 762 Kapa'au HI 96755 808-889-6238 Comm. No. 1 'N Ref. To: MIMI 1 Ref. Date A4 2 20-'4