HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0679.092 2022-2024 p/Counci(
)fill 125
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From: Leonard Bisel c-�
Sent: Monday, June 17, 2024 9:43 AM e
To: Council Testimony e_=
Subject: Testimony on Bill 125, Draft 5, for June 19 County Council Meeting
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Honorable Councilmembers: �' :r1�
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I am an avid road cyclist. I've spent the past 25+ years riding along the roadways and highiays-
throughout the Big Island with very few serious incidents/encounters. Many of the rides that I do are
as a part of a group of local and sometimes visiting cyclists who meet regularly for scheduled "group
rides".
On April 20, 2024, while riding with a small group, we were approached by an individual in a pick-up
truck. The driver slowed to our speed, verbally berated us through the passenger side window and
told us to "get off of the road". He then proceeded to move to the right, into the shoulder where we
were riding, forcing us to come to a stop. He then got out of his truck, threatened us with physical
harm, and told us that we weren't allowed to ride on the road. When he realized that we weren't
backing down to his threats he angrily drove away. This all happened just south of the makai entry to
Kohala Ranch.
I'm writing to testify against Bill 25, as proposed. It's my opinion that Bill 125, Draft 5 is ill-conceived
and a step in the wrong direction. The Bill, as proposed, appears to attempt to solve a problem that
exists only in the eyes of a few impatient and angry individuals. A ban on "tours" would allow these
same impatient drivers to believe that they have the right to enforce the "tour" ban on innocent
cyclists riding singly or in a group through road rage incidents like the one described above.
There's no doubt that safety can sometimes be an issue. That said, cyclists have every right to share
the roads along with vehicles and pedestrians. Restricting cyclists from using public roadways is not
an acceptable solution. We appreciate the County's efforts to include infrastructure for pedestrians
and cyclists in recent roadway improvement projects. Where safety is an issue the response cannot
be to ban cycling. Our priority should be to continue to study, re-design and expand existing roadway
infrastructure in accordance with complete streets policies to enable safe access for all modes of
transportation.
Aloha, and thank you for your consideration.
Leonard Bisel
Comm. . el •ryC11"
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