STAND. COM. REP. NO.  242-10

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2010

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2952

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2952 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MOPEDS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to increase traffic safety by establishing a task force on mopeds within the Department of Transportation (DOT) to explore the feasibility of treating mopeds more like motorcycles than bicycles in certain instances.

 

     The Department of Transportation Services of the City and County of Honolulu and a concerned individual testified in support of this bill.  A concerned individual supported the intent of this measure.  DOT provided comments.

 

     The recent downturn in the economy has resulted in greater numbers of individuals seeking more affordable means of personal transportation.  Mopeds are one of the inexpensive transportation alternatives that have experienced an increase in users and owners over the past several years.  Although mopeds are motorized devices that are capable of reaching substantial speeds, they are often thought of and treated as nothing more dangerous than a bicycle.  Moreover, with increasing technology and after-market products, mopeds are often modified to increase the vehicle's power and speed, posing a safety risk to moped riders, pedestrians, and motorists alike.  The creation of a task force to explore the feasibility of treating mopeds like motorcycles may help resolve some of these issues.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2952 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair