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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0679.080 2022-2024 p/Cou.(1ci Bill (25 QOM. ,7q From: David A. Harding Sent: Sunday,June 2, 2024 5:29 AM J c) To: Council Testimony Subject: Re: Bill 125 (draft 4) for June 5th county council meeting <= To the Hawaii County Council: zr I oppose this law as unnecessary and likely to exacerbate problems for local residents. — } Existing state laws govern interactions between automobile drivers and bicycle riders. If unsafe situations frequently arise despite both riders and drivers following the law, then perhaps the council could ask the state legislature to revise to law. If unsafe situations are the result of illegal actions on the parts of either riders or drivers,then it would seem best to enforce the existing laws rather than add new laws, new fees, and new responsibilities for overworked and underfunded county departments. From what I understand from the newspaper coverage of this issue, the proposed law is the result of some drivers finding it challenging to share the road with riders. That's unfortunate, but it seems very unfair to me to penalize riders by increasing their costs and taking away their ability to enjoy certain parts of our spectacular island that are open to drivers. Denying access to narrow roads and one-way bridges for group bicycle tours is likely to lead to more tourists using rental cars,which will increase road congestion everywhere, increase haphazard parking at popular destinations, increase pollution, and potentially result in an increase in automobile accidents. I respectfully ask you to consider voting no on Bill 125. -David Harding Panaewa St., Hilo Comm. N..earn Ref. To: l �f11 n rn Ref. Date 1 jU'' ® 52l