Question: Recently a policeman stopped my granddaughter’s boyfriend, saying he couldn’t ride his moped on Kalanianaole Highway in East Honolulu next to the sidewalk, inside the white line. I thought the white line indicated it was a bicycle lane. I asked a sergeant at the police station, and she said if there is no bicycle picture painted on the ground, it is not a bicycle lane. Then what is that white line for? Where are the bicycles supposed to ride? Are bicycles and mopeds supposed to be in the motor vehicle lanes? I’m confused.
Answer: Your confusion is understandable.
The Honolulu Police Department said the lanes you refer to are "shoulder" lanes, which mopeds are not supposed to be in.
"Mopeds should stay on the road," an HPD spokeswoman said, referring us to the state Department of Transportation for an explanation.
While the right-most sides of Kalanianaole Highway in East Honolulu are shoulder lanes and not designated bike lanes, bicycles are allowed to ride there, a DOT spokesman said. (Bike lanes are delineated by a solid white line with either signs or pavement markings.)
He cited Section 291C-145(a) of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, which states, "Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall ride as near to the right-hand curb, on the edge of the roadway, or on the shoulder off of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction."
There are some exceptions to the rules, such as when a bicycle is turning left or avoiding obstacles. If a bicycle is going down a one-way street with two or more lanes in the same direction, it can also stay as far left in the left-most lane as possible, the spokesman said.
Mopeds are another matter and are prohibited in shoulder lanes.
The DOT spokesman cited Section 291C-196(a) of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, which says, "Every person driving a moped, except a three-wheeled moped, upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction."
The right side of the "roadway" does not include the shoulder lane.
The same exceptions as for bicycles, including making left turns, avoiding obstacles and when traveling down a one-way street with two or more lanes in the same direction, apply to mopeds.
"When these exceptions do not apply, mopeds should stay to the right side of the right-most traffic lane but not use the shoulder lane," the spokesman said.
Bike Routes
Some confusion may be caused by "bike route" signs mounted on curbs along Kalanianaole Highway.
The signs do not mean "bike lane," the DOT spokesman said.
Instead, they are meant to provide "route guidance for bicyclists when a roadway meets bicycle design requirements," he said.
"Bike routes" can be made up of bike lanes; shared-use paths; shoulder lanes 4 feet wide or greater; curbed travel lanes 14 feet wide or greater; or a combination of these paths, he said.
"The Highways Division will review the traffic signage and marking plans for future improvements through this area, which may help to make this distinction clearer," he said.
Mahalo
To a mother and two young daughters who found my wallet on the corner of Oneawa and Kawainui streets. Unable to locate me, they took my wallet to the Kailua police station, with everything, including a considerable amount of cash, intact. They must have seen my Medicare card and knew I was a senior, ha ha. The mother did not want to leave her name and told the sergeant she just wanted to be a good Samaritan. What an example she set for her children. Mahalo and God bless. — Ken
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