THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

30

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

  

STATE OF HAWAII

  
   

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

Requesting the City and County of Honolulu to ACCELERATE its implementation of the Honolulu Bicycle Master Plan initiated under Ordinance 94-39.

 

WHEREAS, alternate transportation modes such as bicycling and mass transit systems conserve energy, alleviate traffic congestion, reduce air pollution, support physical fitness and recreation, and provide green corridors. Overall, they improve environmental quality and the urban landscape; and

WHEREAS, the state Environmental Council gave state and county government a letter grade of "F" for lagging in building bikeways, an alternative seen as reducing fuel-burning vehicles and pollution. Statewide, there are 181.1 miles of bike lanes-about one-half of the Council's year 2002 goal of 327 miles; and

WHEREAS, the Environmental Council also gave state and county government a letter grade of "B" for its progress in constructing bikeways. According to the Environmental Council, the optimum number of miles of bikeways throughout the State would be 1,309 miles; and

WHEREAS, according to the Department of Transportation, there are only 6.2 miles of bikeways on Kauai, 75.1 miles on Oahu, 67.1 miles on Maui, and 32.7 miles on Hawaii. In comparison, there were 3,813.23 miles of paved roads on these islands in 1999 (1,425.54 miles of which were on Oahu); and

WHEREAS, the vision of the Honolulu Bicycle Master Plan, prepared by the City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services, is: "Honolulu is a bicycle-friendly city where bicycling is a viable and popular travel choice for residents and visitors of all ages"; and

WHEREAS, "bicycle friendliness" suggests a city where it is easy to ride a bicycle, fear is not a factor when riding a bicycle in Honolulu, bicycling is safe and animosity between motorists and bicyclists does not exist; and

WHEREAS, "viable" indicates a bicycle system that is easily accessible. The bicycle network in Honolulu is a comprehensive and continuous one, making it convenient to fulfill transportation needs; and

WHEREAS, the word "popular" connotes social acceptance; not only is bicycling a viable choice, but lots of other people are bicycling as well. It implies a variety of reasons to use a bicycle: commuting, recreation, exercise, and other trip purposes; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2002, that the City and County of Honolulu is requested to accelerate its implementation of the Honolulu Bicycle Master Plan initiated under Ordinance 94-39; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, the Chairperson of the Honolulu City Council, and the Director of the Honolulu Department of Transportation Services; the Governor, and the Director of the state Department of Transportation.

 

 
 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Bicycling; Honolulu Bicycle Master Plan