Our bikeway network is primed for big growth in 2020! 13.5 miles of new paths, protected bike lanes, and bike lanes = more safe places to ride & more people riding! We need YOU involved to make sure this becomes a reality!
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.
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 combine forces with a friend/acquaintance to share a table (this is to be arranged by the Vendors). Vendors are responsible for all their own 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.
Bike Space: $10.00 per Bicycle
If you have only one or two bikes you are looking to sell and don’t want to go for the whole Booth Space you can get a “Bike Space” for $10.00 per bicycle. We encourage you to stick around to make the transaction but we’ll have a Bike Sale Section so if you don’t want to hang out at the event then we will have an HBL rep. guarding those bikes and making the sales based on the info given of your bicycle. For the drop-off & sell service we ask for 20% proceeds of the sale of the bike donated to HBL (bike sale not guaranteed).
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 fillable PDF for Vendor Applications to fill out and send/email in.
Must be received by December 9th, 2019 (MON), 5:00PM:
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!
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.
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.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 26
- Next Page »
