Question: I drive through Kailua in the evening, and I see bicyclists all over the place wearing dark clothes in violation of the law because they have no lights or reflectors on their bicycles. They are like ghosts along the sides of the road, and it is an extremely dangerous situation. We all hear about "Ticket or Click It" about the seat belt law. That’s to protect me from me. Why don’t we have any effort to educate bicycle riders and pedestrians out at night to please wear reflective materials and obey the law by having lights and reflectors on their bicycles?
Answer: There are ongoing efforts to educate bicyclists about the laws by the Hawaii Bicycling League, while the city is distributing lights and reflectors to promote safe bicycling.
Bicycles used at night are required to have headlights and reflectors, but there is no law requiring bicyclists or pedestrians to wear reflective or light-colored clothing.
(According to various studies, light clothing isn’t the key for pedestrians walking at night as much as wearing reflective clothing or having a reflector or flashlight.)
The Hawaii Bicycling League "stresses the importance of being seen, day and night," said Executive Director Chad Taniguchi. The league offers free classes to children and adults in which "we emphasize the need for lights, reflectors and bright/reflective clothing."
Section 291C-147 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes says any bicycle used from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise must have a white head-light, visible at least 500 feet from the front, as well as a rear red reflector, at least
4 inches square, which can be seen 600 feet by a vehicle with low-beam lights.
Also, the bikes must have a 4-inch-square reflective material or lighted lamps on each side that can be seen 600 feet by a vehicle with its low-beam lights on, or a lighted lamp visible on both sides from a distance of at least 500 feet.
The city Department of Transportation Services has a program to distribute headlights, reflective backpacks and reflective leg bands at safety fairs and bike events as part of a highway safety grant, said bicycle coordinator Chris Sayers.
"May is ‘Bike Month,’ and we will be distributing these items at the various events, including ‘Bike to Work Day’ on May 15, ‘Bike Day’ at the Honolulu Museum of Art on May 17 and ‘Bike to the Zoo Day’ on May 24," he said.
Meanwhile, the Hawaii Bicycling League is planning "nighttime outreach in the next five months to teach the law’s requirements and provide ways for people who bike without lights to get lights," Taniguchi said.
Anyone with suggestions for locations where this outreach would be effective or who would like to help may email bicycle@hbl.org or call Malia Harunaga at 735-5756.
HBL hopes the education outreach will be followed by possible "ticket enforcement" by the Honolulu Police Department.
For its part, HPD is "looking into different ways to promote bicycle safety and education," said spokeswoman Michelle Yu.
Free Classes
Taniguchi invites bicyclists, from novices to veterans, to sign up for a free cycling workshop at hbl.org/workshops.
Workshops include "Adult Learn to Ride," "Everyday Cycling," "Cycling Skills 101," "Efficient Riding Skills: Intro to Shifting, Braking & Pedaling" and "Basic Bike Maintenance."
HBL also offers a "Walk Bike Drive" program to promote safety for all users of the road.
"We teach people who walk and bike to be seen and people who drive to be aware of all other road users," Taniguchi said.
Those interested in scheduling a class with a neighborhood group or organization, go to hbl.org/walkbikedrive.
Mahalo
To a gentleman who paid for my groceries at Kaimuki Foodland. Gave me a joy bump and confirmed my hope and faith in the innate virtue of humans through acts of compassion and kindness. A salute to you, my brother. — Ceighbree
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