Report Title:

Transportation; Electric Bicycle; Bicycle

Description:

Amends the definition of "bicycle" to include a bicycle powered by an electronic motor.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	557
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TRANsportation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 291C-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definition of "bicycle" to read as follows:

     ""Bicycle" means [every]:

(1) A vehicle [propelled solely by human power] upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels, and including any vehicle generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two front or two rear wheels except a toy bicycle[.]; or

(2) A vehicle upon which any person may ride that has two tandem wheels, including any vehicle generally recognized as a bicycle even if equipped with two front or two rear wheels and an electric motor that produces less than one and one-half gross brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the vehicle at a maximum speed of not more than twenty-five miles per hour on level ground;

provided that only bicycles meeting the following general specifications shall be allowed to be transported on buses used in public transportation systems:  wheel bases not longer than forty-four inches; tires that are not more than 2.3 inches wide; wheel diameters of twenty inches or larger; and a total weight of not more than fifty-five pounds."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________