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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0007.001 1996-1998 ,11.01 y, ' rP:~ ~ 3w!•, W illlam G. Davis Stephen K. ynno511iro Ma,.arinC Dlrru•r nt•r•r ~ Cn rli,/,CIA Henry Cho • LL~_~ •~lrvb _ ,Yrc ti? Dr6ub Munuauq Dirc•t•r EB 6 P(~ 3 59 (tCuixnt~r of "n_ 27 Aupuni Streer, Room 215 Htlo, Hawsii 9G720.1272(~~08y 7 tBl~1T1 {t6QB) 9GL6571 KONA: 77.7706 KmL1n1 Hi`hwq, Suir• 103 KJIua~Kon•, Hawail 967 (BOB) J29-5336 ~ F.: (808) J2G-7667 Mayoral Advisory Committee on Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety February 6, 1997 County Council County of Hswai`i 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawaii 96720-4525 Subject: Liability Situation @Mamalahoa Hwy. Rd. Improvements at Waimea Hawaii County Council Resolution #8-96 Dear Council Members, Background: Mamalohoa Highway improvements at Waimea, as proposed by Public Works, are creating a serious safety /liability situation for the County. Donna Kiyosaki has publicly acknowledged that it is not safe to ride bikes on the highway corridor through Waimea. However, plans from Public Works decrease bicycle safety even further. Early input from bicycle community vras stonewalled and disregarded. More recent (over last three months) efforts by the Mayoral Advisory Committee on Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety have not produced results from Public Works Department. - Federal requirements may make redesign within deadlines a challenge. If more right of way is needed, an Environmental Assessment may be triggered. Problem: • Bicycles are legal, licensed road vehicles. • The County has publicly acknowledged lack of bicycle safety on Waimea roads. • Plans for Mamalahoa Hwy. decrease bicyclist safety even further. • The County appropriately supports a number of bike related activities in and around Waimea. This, inevitably, will increase the number of bikes on Waimea streets. See attached list. , • Bicyclists use Mamalahoa Highway at present. This use will continue. See attached list. Coma LIo. P11e xo. E M 1 ttef. 4bI Presented ~ xer. FE8 7 1997 • State of Hawaii declared Mamalah~a Highway a proposed "Bike Route", and recommends implementation ..o~~cun'ently with all resurfacing and construction projects. Solution: • Road plans for Waimea should be redesigned to meet minimum national and or State specifications for bicycle safety. (Guide for Development of Bicvcle Facilities, 1991, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington DC, 1991, or Bike Plan Hawaii 1994) • Creative design work by County engineers is needed to incorporate safety within existing right of way. Worst case: delete one proposed motor vehicle traffic lane (five are proposed) or acquire more right of way. • Request extension of deadline (if needed) for Federal funding to correct safety / liability situation: Your serious consideration of this safety and liability issue is greatly appreciated. Sincerely, 9-rl.. Ron Reilly Chairman, Mayoral Advisory Committee on Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Enclosure: Waimea Bicycle Activities cc: Mayor Steven Yamashiro Donna F. Kiyosaki, Department of Public Works Waimea Bicycle Activities February 6, 1997 County of Hawaii: 1. Has provided seed funding for the Waimea Greenwav project. 2. Has provided funding for "Bike Ed° program in Waimea schools. 3. Has provided funding for the mountain bike oromotional brochure including the Mana Rd. route (ending in Waimea). 4. Has provided funding for intemet information on mountain biking on Mana Rd. 5. Department of Parks & Recreation originated the idea for the `Bike Exbo" in Waimea Park and the County is providing funding. 6. Mayoral Advisory Committee for Bike and Pedestrian Safety co-sponsored one of the Waimea Mainstreet workshops, and has actively supports the Greenwav proiect. Bicvcle Tourists: 1. Road touring bicyclists travel through Waimea on a daily basis, both independently and with bicycle tour companies. 2. Seventy five mainland visitors have signed up and paid for an around the island bike tour that will ride through Waimea in April. This is part of a fund raising event for Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii. 3. County has funded a mountain bike promotional brochure /moo that includes the same Mana Rd. route taken by the HPA kids. The ride ends up in Waimea. This brochure was the subject of an article in the Honolulu Sunday paper. 4. The County has funded a pace on the intemet, promoting mountain biking and giving information on the Mana Rd. route (that ends in Waimea). 5. Tourists who are staying at Waimea motels or bed 8 breakfasts reaulartv rent bicycles at C&S for transportation around town. Waimea Greenwav: 1. This $1 million project funded by County of Hawaii, ISTEA, and Waimea Mainstreet, was brought to life by the Waimea Trails and Greenway Committee. 2. The Waimea Greenway will foster local residents, island residents, and tourists to be on all roads of Waimea. Bicyclists will use county roads to get to the greenway and will ride on County roads from the Greenway to get to their specific destinations. Events• 1. The Nick Rott Bike Fest, Co-sponsored by Parker Ranch, Waimea Trails and Greenway Committee, and Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii, is held at Paniolo Park and includes a mountain hike race, an on road race to Waikoloa and back, a Keiki safety course, bike polo matches, cow roping, barrel racing, bicycle tour of ranch facilities, fund raising activities, and more. The Waimea Greenway received 50% of profits from the last event, and Mayor Yamashiro attended. 2. The "Bike Expo" is to be held at Waimea Park on April 12th. This event is sponsored and funded by the County of Hawaii. Although it is still in it's planning stages, County Parks and Recreation Department has proposed a bike rodeo, low rider bike show, bike polo matches, bicycle drag races, keiki bike safety area, and more. 3. The "Ultraman" race course yearly crosses Waimea on the Mamalahoa Hwy. 4. Ironman contestants are regularly seen on Waimea streets the weeks before the event. HPA Lower School: 1. Bicvcle education has been taught in fourth grade over the last four years. 2. A "bike rodeo" is put on every year. The event includes teaching of bicycle riding skills, safety, and bike maintenance. 3. The "Keiki Triathlon' is held every year. One leg of the event is mountain bike riding, and is held on the HPA upper campus. HPA Midrile School• The "Tour de Mana" is offered every year to students. This three day, 50 mile bike ride starts on saddle road and ends at the lower campus. Participants ride through town on Mamalahoa Hwy., Lindsey Rd., and Kawaihae Rd.. Parker School: Offers a mountain biking class. Participants ride on roads through town to get to "off road" areas. Maintenance, bike riding skills and safety lectures are give at the CBS store (on Mamalahoa Hwy.) Participants ride their bikes from Parker School campus to CBS. Waimea Elementary and Intermediate Schools: 1. Bicycle education has been taught in Waimea Elementary fourth grade over the last four years. Funding has been from a combination of County of Hawaii, Feds, and non-profits (P.A.T.H.). 2. Bike rack in from of Library an average 11 bikes every school day. That equals 22 road trips a day or 110 trips a week just to and from Waimea School. Cycle B Surt (retail businessl: 1. Offers regular weekend fun rides, meeting at the store on Mamalahoa Hwy.. 2. Has sold 732 bicycles in the last three veers into the Waimea communftv. 3. Provides volunteers to teach Waimea students, and residents bike riding skills, safety, and maintenance. 4. Rents bicycles. State of Hawaii: 1. Has declared Mamalaho Hwy. through Waimea, and from the intersection of Mamaiaho Hwy. down to Queen K Hwy. as proposed bike routes. 2. Recommends construction of bike routes concurrently with all resurfacing and road construction projects. Parker Ranch• 1. Has stated that the 2020 plan will include multiple use trails. 2. Co-sponsored the Nick Rott Bike Fest at Paniolo Park, and gave a bicycle tour of ranch facilities. 3. Is participating in the Waimea Greenwav project. 4. Is nepotiatinp with a mountain bike tour company for rides on ranch property.