HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0679.071 2022-2024 P/Counci l
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COMM.09
Hawaii County Council
Date: May 12, 2024
Re: Bill 125, Draft 3
By email to: counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov
Honorable Chair and Council Members; o
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I provided oral testimony and watched deliberations on Bill 125 at the May 1 regular council
meeting. I have also read with interest the 3rd draft of Bill 125.The May 1 amendments w c)
proposed primarily by council member Kierkiewicz and supported by others, have largely beep.
included, but still leaving significant concern to me as Kona resident, avid bicycle rider, and
member of the public.
Public policy should always reflect a broad commitment to making things better for all, rather
than catering to a select few.The Complete Streets philosophy as adopted by the Mayor and
Planning Director in 2022 speaks directly to how Bill 125 might have been more effectively
conceived, or more importantly be integrated in future infrastructure planning. Complete
Streets are streets designed and operated to enable safe use, and support mobility for all users.
Those include people of all ages and abilities, regardless of whether they are travelling as
drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, or public transportation riders. The concept of Complete Streets
encompasses many approaches to planning, designing, and operating roadways and rights of
way with all users in mind to make the transportation network safer and more efficient.
Complete Street policies are set at the state, regional, and local levels and are frequently
supported by roadway design guidelines.
Conclusions and actions by Council should be based on research and the collection and analysis
of actual data rather than on unproven assumptions or subjective perceptions. Draft 3 relies on
definitions that are so vague and ambiguous as to call into question the conditions of any
roadway on Hawaii Island without any regard to evidence or data to back up findings. For
example, and referencing the proposed language:
• Narrow Pavement Widths—what does "narrow" mean? 12-foot lanes? 10-foot lanes, 40
or 50 foot total roadway width, or what?As an experienced rider I might perceive
pavement width as safe based on a variety of factors, but you might not feel comfortable
at any width. Where is the motor vehicle operator's responsibility in this?Where is the
county's responsibility in making roads wider, educating drivers or providing signage?
How does a broad definition of"narrow" not apply to nearly every road on Hawaii Island
except most of the UK or DKI?
• Unpassable Shoulders—What does "unpassable" mean? Does it mean that unless there
is a shoulder with a white line and a 2-foot clear bicycle lane then bicycles should not be
allowed? Does it mean it is ok for a motor vehicle to ignore sharing of the road and
squeeze by a bicycle without regard to their safety? Or does it mean the County should
look at supposedly unsafe conditions and prioritize budgets to add more roadway width
so all forms of transport can be accommodated as outlined in Complete Streets?
• Limited Sight Distances—What is a "limited sight distance"? 50 feet, 200 feet, quarter
mile?Why is the view line obstructed and what are the other conditions that contribute
to, or could mitigate unsafe conditions?Who thinks it is unsafe anyway? Have there ever
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been any accidents in this location?Are there national standards that could apply here?
Where is the data and analysis?
• Steep grades—What does "steep" mean? 3%, 5%, 8%, 10%, 20%? Can you personally
appreciate the experience of riding a 3%grade versus one at 20%.There is a world of
difference, and if the DPW decides that say 5% is the "steepest"grade allowed for a bike
tour to be "safe", whatever that is, it would potentially make a huge number of roads on
the Hawaii Island off limits. Is that what Council wants?Where is the analysis? Is a group
riding at 5mph up a 7%grade too slow for public safety? How about 12mph up a 4%
grade? In the absence of actual data related to "safety" as opposed to "public
convenience",the answer is both are safe if bicycles and vehicles are paying attention to
each other and using common sense.
• One-lane bridges—Why is this even an issue? Driving the Akoni Pule out to Pololu is, and
should be slow going in any case. Who doesn't slow down and make accommodation at
one-lane bridges?Are bikes really a problem at these locations? Basic common sense
and signage should apply, ie "Don't gather or stop bikes on the Bridge".
• Winding or hilly terrain—This condition is so broad and vague it could apply to nearly all
roadways on Hawaii Island, even some of the QK and DKI. Is a "winding" road anything
with a 30, 60, or 90 degree bend?What is a "hill". Does that mean 150 or 300 or 1,500
or 3,000 feet of elevation, and at what gradient?Where's the data and analysis?We can
do better than this.
I do support registration, education, administration, enforcement, and establishing guidelines
meant to regulate bicycle tour operators. I do not support the idea that the County selectively
target specific roads for prohibiting bicycle tours based on subjective opinions, personal
perceptions, and inconvenience to local drivers. Recommendations of the DPW, Police, and
HDOT based on vague language (and public pressure) will likely be arbitrary and discretionary.
As noted in my testimony.of May 1, I request Council to take a harder look at serving the
broader public interest in a clear manner, and avoid the easier path of simply bending toward
uninformed or self-serving public opinion. Make streets better for all.
It is enough that the County and State already have jurisdiction over public infrastructure and
within their realm to create public policy. Why this bill now? It is reasonable to expect the
County and State to base decision making on informed research and data-driven analysis rather
than speculation, unproven assumptions, or special interests. It is better to consider and serve
the whole community rather than a select few. It appears Bill 125 was unnecessary from its
inception. Other than its usefulness in regulating Bike Tour Operators, it is intrusive, overly
broad, unproven to save lives, and ignores prior commitments made to the public about
forward looking development. Bill 125 should be amended accordingly or abandoned.
Respectfully,
Jon Luft
Kailua Kona
619 921-3419