Latest news with #HawaiiBicyclingLeague
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
E-bike bill on Governor Green's intent to veto list
HONOLULU (KHON2) — On Friday, Governor Josh Green released a list of bills he intends to veto. He said of the 320 bills passed by the legislature this session, 19 are on his intent to veto list. Governor Green releases list of bills he plans to veto One of those bills looked to regulate electric bicycles and many were surprised to see it on the list. This session, there were nearly 20 bills aimed at regulating e-bikes and defining rules and laws for the increasingly popular transportation tool. All of those bills turned into one bill, HB 958. 'We really thought this bill was the slam dunk, if you will, of fixing some of our legal language and giving HPD and others the tool to enforce this, so it was quite surprising to see it on the list,' said Travis Counsell, Hawaii Bicycling League executive director. House Transportation Chair Darius Kila said he worked tirelessly on the bill and had support from the county and state transportation departments, and county police departments too. The bill looked to ban 'high speed electric devices' in certain locations like highways and sidewalks; defined the different types of e-bikes and e-motorcycles, and also what ages need to be wearing a helmet while on specific devices. 'This is the only one bill this legislative session that address hundreds and thousands of residents' concerns and complaints,' Kila said. 'There is so much at stake, we cannot risk losing this bill, for the sake of every island finding uniform complicity on regulation.' Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Governor Green's veto reasoning was: 'While mopeds and motorcycles are exempt from the prohibition established within this bill, on 'high-speed electric devices' driving on public roadways, electric cars are not exempt. Such a prohibition would likely violate the Commerce Clause and Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution and conflict with the administration's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.' 'My pushback is every agency touched the bill and knows its intent and that it's not the impact of wanting to target electric vehicles,' Kila explained. 'And understanding they're federally pre-emptive already on how they are regulated on our public roadways.' The Hawaii Bicycling League said it would be a disservice to see the bill get vetoed. 'It really was the update we needed,' Counsell said. 'Bringing us up to those national standards and then going beyond that and defining some of the new devices.' Kila wrote a letter to the governor's senior advisor and attorney general, making it clear his bill does not impact electric cars and says he has meetings set up with the attorney general's office to comb through the bill page by page and is hopeful e-bike rules and regulations could become law this summer. 'I hope in the end, Gov will sign this bill and understand it's not the intent (to go after electric cars) and we can collectively deliver on what the public has been asking us to do,' Kila has until July 9 to issue final vetoes, all other bills will become law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Local organization hosts World Bicycle Day celebration in Hawaii
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Gov. Josh Green has proclaimed that June 3 is World Bicycling Day in Hawaii. Here's a look at how it was being honored. In recognition of a half-century of work to motivate more people to ride bicycles, WakeUp2Day's Chris Latronic went live on the Ala Moana pedestrian bridge to learn more and ride with Hawaii Bicycling League's Advocacy Director, Eduardo Hernandez. In April 2018, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 3 as World Bicycle Day. The resolution for World Bicycle Day recognizes 'the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for two centuries, and that is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transport.' In April 2025, the office of Gov. Josh Green presented Hawai'i Bicycling League (HBL) with a proclamation declaring June 3, 2025, to be World Bicycle Day in Hawai'i in recognition of the organization's half-century of work to motivate more people to ride bicycles for recreation, health, and transportation. In doing so, Hawai'i became the first state in the nation to recognize World Bicycle Day at the state level. 'At HBL, we celebrate bicycles every day, but officially being part of a global movement for sustainability helps us to elevate the public conversation about how bicycles are a solution to so many challenges facing individuals and communities across the islands and around the world,' said HBL advocacy director Eduardo Hernandez. HBL's networks for promoting the economic, health and environmental benefits of bicycling include individuals and organizations on every island and at every level of Hawaiʻi government, from local to state to national. For World Bicycle Day in Hawai'i, HBL will be celebrating with a potluck bicycle pa'aina gathering at Kolowalu Park Makai in Honolulu, with brief remarks from executive director Travis Counsell and other colleagues. The organization will also be celebrating the day with a group ride in protected bicycle lanes to and over a newly opened bridge over Ala Moana Blvd. HBL said that type of infrastructure helps create safer experiences for all people, whether they walk, ride, roll, or drive a car. Learn more about how HBL is celebrating World Bicycle Day . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Forecasters predict 1 to 4 hurricanes this season
With hurricane season beginning June 1, Hawaii officials are urging residents to prepare now as forecasters predict near-to below-normal tropical cyclone activity in the Central Pacific this year. Chris Brenchley, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Central Pacific Hurricane Center, said forecasters are expecting one to four tropical cyclones—including tropical depressions, storms and hurricanes—in the region this year. The outlook reflects neutral El Nino conditions and weaker-than-normal wind shear, which could slightly favor storm development, although overall activity is expected to be average or below average. 'Even though the season is predicted to be below to near normal, there is still the need to prepare, ' Brenchley said. 'Now is that time. All of us as residents play a role, as well as businesses, in preparing for whatever the hurricane season may bring us this year.' Brenchley pointed out that in 2024 the Central Pacific saw only two tropical cyclones—below the average of four to five—but one of them, Hurricane Dora, brushed the south side of Hawaii island in late August, proving that low activity doesn't equal low risk. 'A tropical cyclone really represents a potential hurricane, ' Brenchley said. 'They don't all become hurricanes. They have that potential.' Officials urged residents to make emergency plans, gather at least two weeks of supplies and stay informed. Gov. Josh Green has proclaimed May 18-24 as Hurricane Preparedness Week, calling on the public to be aware, educated and ready to take action. Though a direct hit might not happen every year, officials warn that it takes only one storm to upend lives, families and entire communities. Emergency planners also urge residents to consider how they would move around in the aftermath of a storm. Roads may be blocked by fallen trees, fuel may be limited and evacuations could be slowed by traffic congestion. Travis Counsell, executive director of the Hawaii Bicycling League, said bicycles can play a surprising but powerful role, often serving as one of the most reliable forms of transportation during and after disasters. 'Bikes as a resilient mode of transportation are an amazing tool that's not only sustainable, affordable and low-impact, but when disaster strikes, bicycles are often the most useful personal vehicle in some of those impacted areas, ' Counsell said. Counsell cited examples from the 2024 New Year's earthquakes in Japan and the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires, where residents used bikes to navigate road closures, check on loved ones and transport supplies. 'Bikes do not require any gas. They're self-powered. They can be nimble. They can be lifted over downed trees or other things blocking the way, making them ideal for not only rural areas, but urban areas as well, ' he said. As the Bicycling League marks its 50th anniversary this year, it's promoting bikes not just for recreation or commuting, but as tools of resilience. The organization offers free workshops on how to maintain and prepare bikes for emergencies, including tips like checking air, brakes and chains ; adding racks or trailers ; and including items like helmets, lights, gloves and first aid kits as part of a disaster plan. Counsell also noted that Green has proclaimed June 3—just days after the start of hurricane season—as World Bicycle Day, in alignment with a United Nations designation. 'Bicycles … they're way more than just for leisure, ' Counsell said. 'They are definitely part of how we build a resilient community.' Brenchley urged residents to stay tuned to official updates from the National Weather Service and Central Pacific Hurricane Center throughout the season. Even if a storm doesn't make landfall, it can bring life-threatening wind, rain and ocean hazards. 'If we have a tropical cyclone anywhere in the Central Pacific, it definitely warrants our attention and will be watched closely, ' Brenchley said.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Pedestrian deaths more than double from 2024
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Concerns are mounting for pedestrian safety as the number of fatalities for walkers and bikers continue on an upward trend. The Hawaii Bicycling League stated the number of bicyclists and pedestrians killed on the road has already more than doubled since this time in 2024, when there were six reported deaths and three serious-injury crashes. Woman, 88, dies after being hit by car in Hawaii Kai 'We've already hit 13 deaths and each of those each of those deaths, it's an aunty, a brother, a sister,' said Eduardo Hernandez, HBL advocacy director. 'It's not acceptable that we can just go on and everybody has a role to play to keep these deaths from happening.' In 2024, 37 people were killed while walking and six were killed while biking across the state. The number of traffic fatalities were higher than a 20 year average of 27 walkers and four bikers killed, per HBL. HBL believes speed, carelessness, distractions and impaired driving are primary causes for the upward trend.'A part of it is that there are unsupervised children using bicycles that are not meant for underage children,' said Rep. Darius Kila. 'Drivers aren't used to seeing bicycles move as fast as e-bikes are going.' At the state capitol, lawmakers and advocacy groups are pushing for safer pedestrian infrastructure and e-bike regulations. 'What we are trying to do is give every county police department all the tools that they need to enforce, regulate and actually put definitions of classifications of what an e-bike is or what an e-bike isn't. It also prohibits certain activities on a roadway and usage. And the bill that I offer also prohibits class three e-bikes from operating on sidewalks,' Kila said. HBL will lead a delegation to the National Bike Summit in Washington D.C. later this week. It will meet with Hawaii's congressional delegation on safe transportation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
