News Archives - Hawaii Bicycling League

Leeward Bikeway Updates – Progress!

October 2019 Update

The Leeward Bikeway will be transformative to lives of thousands that live, work, and play in Leeward Oahu by providing them a safe biking and walking path. HBL and thousands of advocates have been pushing for implementation as soon as possible. It’s been a long journey – planned since 1977 and since 2014 it’s been HBL’s #1 advocacy priority and we’ve dedicated tons of outreach to build what is now very solid community support. We’re happy to say that it is moving close to reality!

On 10/10/19, the Hawaii Department issued a request for bidders to construct the Leeward Bikeway from Waipahu Depot Rd to Philippine Sea Rd. This a major milestone. HDOT should have a construction contractor on board by February/March 2020 and construction should begin soon after. Construction is anticipated to take 1 year (it includes building two new bridges), so hopefully we’ll be riding it by early 2021. Yes, this is still a ways off, but we are getting closer to it becoming a reality.

The Leeward Bikeway Phase I will link with the existing Pearl Harbor Bike Path and West Loch Shoreline Path to create an over 10-mile continuous multi-use path from Ewa to Halawa.

The next phase our advocacy efforts is to push for Phase II of the Leeward Bikeway to extend the multi-use path west all the way to Nanakuli.

Read more about the Leeward Bikeway and put your name down on a list of supporters at HBL.org/leewardbikeway/.

July 2019 Update

Major Milestone – On 6/24/19, the National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 process was finalized for the Leeward Bikeway. This federal law and regulatory process is designed to protect historic resource and had held up the Leeward Bikeway for years. The final solution is that Leeward Bikeway project will include frequent interpretative signs that narrate the history of the Oahu Rail & Land rail and surrounding areas, the two new bridges are designed to evoke the historic bridges that they are replacing, among other things. It’s completion is a major milestone and should clear the way for the Leeward Bikeway to move forward.

December 2018 Update

Focus on Phase I – The Hawaii Department of Transportation made the decision to make Phase I a separate project from Phase II. Phase I extends from the end of the Pearl Harbor Bike Path at Waipahu Depot Road to Philippine Sea Road in Ewa (by the Hawaiian Railway Society) – see map below.

Milestones – In June 2018, HDOT published the Final Environmental Assessment for project (link) – this is a major milestone that includes with it the completion of a large portion of the regulatory requirements. As of December 2018, the National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 process (a law and process intended to protect historic priorities) is still outstanding. HBL is an official participant in the Section 106 and we are cautiously optimistic that process will conclude in the next 1-2 months. After completion of this, the Leeward Bikeway Phase I should go to bid and then construction in 6-12 months.

What about Phase II – In separating out Phase II from the Phase I, HDOT has announced that they are deferring implementation of the Phase II section for the foreseeable future. The reasons provided for deferring Phase II are that there are long sections of Phase II where existing utility poles need to either be moved or additional land is needed for the path to avoid them, which would require a lengthy and potentially costly land acquisition process or significantly increase the project cost for relocating utilities. HDOT also says the pre-utility issue project cost estimate of $13M is funding they do not have and based on current funding levels won’t have in future years. Phase II extends from Philippine Sea Road in Ewa (by the Hawaiian Railway Society) and Lualualei Naval Road in Nanakuli – see map below.

Continuing to Advocate for Phase II – We’re not giving up on the full Leeward Bikeway! We plan to continue to organize and advocate – we already have the support of the Nanakuli/Maili and Kapolei Neighborhood Boards, the neighborhoods Phase II will serve. We’ll be reaching out to the area legislators to request their support. We will need your support in this! Please make sure you’re on the list of Leeward Bikeway Supporters so you’ll receive our calls when action is needed.

More info on the Leeward Bikeway – See the Vision! – Click here for our page that provides you extensive information on the Leeward Bikeway.

Leeward Bikeway Phase I map – what HDOT is moving forward with immediately (source – HDOT)

Full Leeward Bikeway – what are continuing to advocate for (source: HDOT)

HBL Cycle Swap Meet 2019

HBL is holding it’s first-ever Cycle Swap Meet on December 15th (Sunday), 2019, from 1pm – 4pm, in conjunction with the Honolulu Men’s Shed. This event is a member benefit as well as fundraiser for the Hawaii Bicycling League and the Honolulu Men’s Shed, both local 501(c)3 non-profits.

What might you find at the Cycle Swap Meet?

New bikes (such as road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids, vintage bikes, cruisers, recumbents, tricycles, custom-builds.)
Used bikes (see possible types of bikes above!)
Bicycle parts – wheel sets, hubs, handlebars, grips, cassettes, shifters, pedals, fenders… Maybe that one elusive part you’ve been looking for everywhere to complete your dream bike build!
Bicycle-related items – floor pumps, cycling accessories, bike-related attire, bike lights, home decor featuring our favourite thing (bicycles), and more!
Beautiful wood carved items and gifts made by those at the Men’s Shed like koa paddles, hand-crafted kitchen items, holiday decorations, and other gorgeous wood creations.

Looking to sell some of your spare bike parts, bicycle(s) longing to be ridden, or bike-related accessories/items? Be a vendor at the Cycle Swap Meet and get rid of the extra bike things you have sitting around your house (…that means more space for new bike things!). Each Vendor is provided one (1) table (6′ x 2.5′), one (1) chair, and 8′ x 8′ Booth Space at the Honolulu Men’s Shed, unless otherwise noted in your Vendor Application. Vendors are allowed to share a table with someone else (this is to be arranged by the Vendors). Vendors are responsible for all their monetary transactions.

If you have any items left that you don’t want to take back with you, you are able to leave it at the Men’s Shed to be donated or given away.

Booth Fee*:

$30.00 for Non-Members

$20.00 for HBL Members (current as of 12/15/19)

We are also asking for 10% of proceeds to be donated if sales exceed $200.00 at the end of the day.

Vendor fees are donations to HBL, a 501(c)3 non-profit, and are tax-deductible.

Click here to go to the Vendor Application online.

Vendor applications are due in by 12/09/19.

Not interested in selling, but want to check out the array of sweet bike things there? We invite you to come out to peruse neat bikes, parts, and bicycle-related items, most at bargain prices! The Cycle Swap Meet is open to the public. Find something awesome for the bike-lover you know, holiday season is right around the corner! Who knows what kind of treasures might you come across!

Entry Fee:

$2 for Non-Members

FREE entry for current HBL Members as well as current members of the Honolulu Men’s Shed!

Entry fee will be collected at the door. Doors are open 12/15/19 to the public from 1:00PM till 4:00PM.

Parking will be available at the site for vendors and guests.

Volunteers needed! Go to volunteersignup.org/7WLLK to sign up to help 🙂

Cycle Swap Meet Location:

What’s the Honolulu Men’s Shed?

“Men’s Sheds create a space where men can pursue meaningful, creative interests and can socialize with other guys. They come to see what it’s all about and stay because it’s fun. They get involved in an intriguing activity, find guys they can talk story with, or just like hanging out with others.” Find out more about the first Men’s Shed in Hawai‘i at their website: HonoluluMensShed.org/about They are normally open on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 9am – 12pm.

* Members of the Honolulu Men’s Shed get free Booth Space (because they are graciously allowing us to have the event in their space!). All proceeds sold from their booth sales go back to the Honolulu Men’s Shed.

Cycle Swap Meet Vendor Application – Click HERE to apply online to be a Vendor!

SWAP MEET VENDOR RULES & REGULATIONS

Click here to download a printable PDF form to fill out and send/email in.

Must be received by December 9th, 2019 (MON), 5:00PM:

To download an event flyer, click this image.

By email to Malia@HBL.org

Or by post to: Hawaii Bicycling League

3442 Wai‘alae Avenue, Suite #1

Honolulu, HI 96816

(There will be a $25 charge on all returned checks.)

Let’s Take Action for a Safer California Avenue & Wahiawa!

(9/13/19) Hawaii Bicycling League and Blue Zones Project Wahiawa put forward this California Ave Solutions Meeting Report with detailed recommendations on how to make California Ave safer for everyone.

In 2015 and 2017, two people were killed while walking on a short section of California Avenue. Additionally, California Ave has a documented history of pedestrian, bicycle, and motorist crashes and injuries in recent years. The two deaths and clear need for improved traffic safety brought Hawaii Bicycling League and Blue Zones Project – Wahiawa to organize a Solutions Meetings on June 24, 2019 to discuss and pursue solutions to make the street safer for walking and everyone.

Based on the input from the 36 people that participated in the Solutions Meeting, the City’s 2015 study “Honolulu Complete Streets Implementation Study Location Report – California Avenue from Kamehameha Highway to Wahiawa District Park”, research on safety issues, and safe streets best practices, Hawaii Bicycling League and Blue Zones Projects are proposing several big solutions to make California Ave safe for everyone:

Implement the changes proposed in the California Honolulu Complete Streets Implementation Study Location Report. Specific items in this plan that would drastically improve pedestrian safety and should be advanced include:
- Implement a Road Diet – transitioning the street from four to three vehicular lanes with one thru lane in each direction and center left turn lane. This treatment is known to drastically reduce speeding and eliminates “multiple treat” risks at pedestrian crossing, both dramatically improving pedestrian safety, as well as the safety of all road users.
- Implement Pedestrian Crossing Islands – This provides a refuge for pedestrians to stop at in the middle of the road and allows them to give their attention to approaching drivers from one direction at a time. The results are dramatically improved pedestrian safety.
- Implement Roundabouts at select intersections – The 2015 City study proposes Roundabouts at the California Ave intersections with Lehua St/Muliwai St and North Canes St. Roundabouts dramatically improve safety at intersections by reducing speeds through intersections, eliminating the dangers associated with left turns, and reducing the points of potential conflict.
Increase enforcement focused on speeding, failure to yield at crosswalks, running red lights, and other pedestrian safety related violations. Including through pursuing legislation for automated camera enforcement that will allow for 24-7 enforcement in critical areas.
Increase education on safe driving, walking, and bicycling

The above are some of the most promising solutions to improve pedestrian safety and general traffic safety on California Avenue. In addition to these, many others were discussed and are detailed in the California Avenue Solutions Meeting Report.

All of these solutions require action by a variety of parties, whether it be supporting changes as a community member, enforcing laws as an HPD officer, funding improvements as an elected official, or designing and implementing street changes as a transportation official. Please take action to make these changes a reality so we can achieve a safer California Ave and Wahiawa where everyone can choose to walk, bike, take the bus, or drive. Email Daniel@hbl.org to get involved!

Click here for California Avenue Solutions Meeting Report

Advocacy Alert – Safer Streets for Kalihi!

Join Tuesday 9/17 to be a voice in support of safer streets for people walking and biking!

We have a big chance to make Kalihi more bicycle and pedestrian friendly and with safer streets for all. But it’s going to take a community push!

Kalihi Complete Streets

Community Meeting – Tuesday, 9/17 6:30pm

at Farrington High School Cafeteria (1564 N. King St)

Complete Streets are streets that designed to safely accommodate everyone – people that walk, bike, take the bus, drive, and are handicap. The City’s Complete Streets Kalihi plan is considering big changes to North King St, North School St, Houghtailing St/Waiakamilo Rd, and Middle St.

Click here for the City’s website on the Kalihi Complete Streets project.

Why Kalihi Needs Complete Streets

Safety – Many of Kalihi’s streets lack bike lanes, safe pedestrian crossings, and are designed for cars to speed – making them unsafe for everyone, particularly people walking and bicycling. Tragically, the unsafe conditions have lead to 3 pedestrians and 1 bicyclists death in recent years on N King St.

People Rely on Walking and Biking – Kalihi is community where many people rely on active transportation – walking, biking, and TheBus.

28% of households don’t own a car (compared to 10.4% island-wide)
42% of commuters walk, bicycle, or take the bus (compared to 16.1% island-wide)
many kids walk to and from school (surveys at Kalihi Kai Elementary found 61% of kids walk home)

Kalihi, as much as any community on Oahu, NEEDS Complete Streets now.

What You Can Do

The City’s Kalihi Comlplete Streets project is a big chance to make Kalihi more bicycle and pedestrian friendly and with safer streets for all. But it’s going to take a community push! Please come out to the meeting 9/17 and encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to come. Then stay involved by contacted Daniel@hbl.org.

Advocacy Alert – Protect Public Bikeshare

Biki has changed Honolulu – it’s gotten thousands of new people cycling and made bicycles a part of our public transportation system. This is all possible because of City support for the non-profit Bikeshare Hawaii. Resolution 19-204 aims to abandon the City’s support for public bikeshare and to start charging Biki for stations of City land.

Join HBL in saying that Biki is an important part of our transportation system & deserves City support!

Testify by Tuesday September 3rd

1. Go to www.honolulu.gov/ccl-testimony-form.html?view=form
2. Select — Council/PH Committee – Council/Public Hearing; Agenda Item – Resolution 19-204; Your position on the matter – OPPOSE; Representing – Self; Written testimony – speak in your own words, those are the most powerful. Feel free to use the points below as a guide.
3. Submit

***Step up your impact by coming out to testify at the hearing in person. It’s at Honolulu Hale (530 S King St) this WED 9/4/19 10:00am.***

Why Oppose Resolution 19-204

Bikeshare is Public Transportation & Public Transportation Warrants Public Support
HBL strongly supported the establishment of public bikeshare, as it would make cycling part of Oahu’s public transportation system and get many more people biking. Now, someone without a bike (or without their bike with them) can easily choose to bike and this is getting more people on two-wheels.

Just as with TheBus, public transportation is a public benefit that needs public investment. Public bikeshare is no different. From Washington DC to Minneapolis to San Francisco, docked public bikeshare systems rely on public support. Just like we don’t charge TheBus for bus stops, we shouldn’t charge Biki for stations. And if you think dockless bikeshare private companies would be glad to swoop in to provide a great public bikeshare system, think again – the private dockless bikeshare industry has collapsed across the US and the cities that relied on it have been left with NO bikeshare.

Charging Biki will Result in Less Public Bikeshare
In October, Bikeshare Hawaii expanded Biki by 30 stations and 300 bikes to service UH Manoa, KCC, Makiki, and Iwilei. The expansion brought public bikeshare to thousands of additional residents and connected key resident destinations including Hawaii’s largest university. Bikeshare Hawaii spent over $450,000 to make the expansion possible. If the City charges Bikeshare Hawaii for space for stations, that means less or NO money to expand and spread the benefits of public bikeshare. This could put a halt to all future expansions. HBL wants to see the benefits of public bikeshare spread to communities like Kalihi, Kaimuki, and eventually beyond to Kapolei and throughout the island – BUT we’re going to need public support to get there.

Treating Public Bikeshare Like a Business Will Push Bikeshare Hawaii to Act Like a Business, Which Will be Bad for Residents
Imagine if Biki only serviced Waikiki and was nothing but a tourist amenity – that’s what bikeshare would look like if it were just a business. Fortunately, Biki is run by the non-profit Bikeshare Hawaii, whose mission it is to bring public bikeshare and grow bicycling to residents and visitors. This means Biki does things that a normal business wouldn’t do. A normal business would focus on the highest demand areas where tourists happily pay the $4.00 walk up rate, as this is where the profits would be greatest. Instead, Biki also services our neighborhoods like McCully/Moiliili and Makiki and important destinations for residents like UH Manoa and office places where most Biki users are on the $15/month unlimited ride plan and the profits are minimal to non-existent. We need the City to continue to partner with Biki to ensure that public bikeshare benefits the people of Oahu.