STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3136

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 2215

       H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Transportation and Energy, to which was referred H.B. No. 2215, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BICYCLES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide increased protections to bicyclists riding on roadways by requiring drivers of vehicles passing and overtaking a bicycle to allow at least a three-foot safe passing distance between the vehicle and the bicyclist.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services; Honolulu Police Department; Hawaii Public Health Institute; Hawaii Bicycling League; Sustainable Transportation Coalition of Hawaii; Kailua Urban Design Task Force; Blue Planet Foundation; Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii; Kauai Path, Inc.; Hawaii Cycling Club; Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; American Diabetes Association; Blue Zones Project; and fifty-four individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds bicycling is an activity that is good for the health and good for the environment, and the State has made efforts to encourage bicycling.  However, bicycling on roadways can be dangerous, with numerous bicycling fatalities in Hawaii resulting from bicyclists being struck by passing motor vehicles.  Twelve percent of cyclists felt "threatened for personal safety" the last time they rode and "someone drove too close" was the primary reason.  Your Committee notes that thirty‑nine states and the District of Columbia have safe passing distance laws in place to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities to bicyclists and the percentage of bicyclists who feel threatened for personal safety when they ride.  Enacting a safe passing distance law is another step in promoting bicycling as a valid and safe mode of transportation as the State works to become a more bicycle-friendly place.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Energy that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2215, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair