Kudos for the new bike lanes in Lihu‘e, the Bikes on Rice rides, and the progress made on the Kapa‘a path (Ke Ala Hele Makalae).
This multi-use path on the eastside is enjoyed by cyclists, skateboarders, runners and walkers alike. I have observed families with keiki in strollers, joggers, local cyclists and visitors on rental bikes enjoying this gem of a community trail.
It makes my heart smile to see people out and about on our beautiful coastline. I am grateful for all the planning and hard work that went into and continues on the project.
I am a 64-year-old woman living in Kapahi. Over the years, I have tried to ride my traditional bicycle on the path and back up the hill on the amazing boardwalk that connects mauka to makai, adjacent to Kawaihau Road.
After many years of physical labor, I have developed knee, shoulder and back problems. I gave away my bicycle years ago because it was too painful to ride. I am so grateful that e-bikes are available on island now.
I can now ride uphill again. I can turn on the pedal assist motor when my knees begin to ache. It allows me a mobility that I haven’t had in years and is a great way to exercise.
I use my e-bike for pleasure riding and local errands. I can (and do) jump on the path, and then cross Kuhio Highway to do errands and shopping in Kapa‘a. I am neither polluting the air with exhaust fumes nor am I contributing to the traffic crawl.
I ride with the same aloha and respect that I use when driving a vehicle. I watch out for others, especially pedestrians; I use turn signals; I have a rearview mirror and a bell. I wear a helmet.
I slow down when I encounter other riders or pedestrians; I am especially aware of children, who wander the path, and babies in strollers, and people stopping to chat or take photos. I give the right of way when necessary. I dismount to cross the crosswalks. In other words, I ride with aloha.
I understand that there have been complaints about e-bikes on the path as we experience a proliferation of ownership and rental e-bikes on island. I have tried riding on the highway, but there is often no shoulder, and I am dodging cars and trucks.
Sidewalks are not contiguous, are often overgrown with plants or simply too narrow to share the space with pedestrians. My particular bike is a pedal assist. I use the motor as needed.
Recently, I was stopped and informed that even if we ride motor-free, we are not allowed on the path. This is blatantly untrue. My class II e-bike is legally a bicycle in the state of Hawai‘i.
I just finished reading about yet another bicyclist critically injured as a result of a hit-and-run by a truck on Kaumuali‘i Highway. Our roads are narrow, dangerous, and not designed for cars and bikes to share safely. Combine that with inattentive drivers and we have a serious safety problem.
Most of us drive cars with aloha. I would like to extend that to cyclists. We all need to drive and ride with extra awareness so as not to do harm.
This applies to looking out for pedestrians as well. There have been far too many vehicles striking pedestrians resulting in fatalities and life-threatening injuries. One accident is one too many.
There were existing safety issues on the Kapa‘a bike path long before e-bikes came into vogue.
Some folks ride regular bikes at high speed, passing without verbal or bell warnings. I have nearly been hit and have had to jump out of the way of the silent speeders. I have been passed by skateboarders traveling at unsafe speeds and even gas-powered minibikes and dirt bikes.
Bicycle riders looking at their phones are just as unsafe as drivers on the roads doing the same.
Riding with aloha is looking out for one another; something we practice in all parts of our lives on Kaua‘i. I would like to start a conversation with the various users of Ke Ala Hele Makalae and find a way to work together for the safety and well-being of all.
Please share your solution-oriented comments on our new Facebook page: Kaua‘i e-bike riders.
Mahalo.
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Sue Buckley is a resident of Kapa‘a.
Signs on the coastal path indicate that powered vehicles are prohibited.