Bicycle riders in town

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Bicycle riders in town

The problem with riding on a sidewalk is that in business districts (such as downtown Honolulu, Waikiki and Kakaako), it's illegal. Riding on sidewalks are only legal on residentially zoned areas. Once I got yelled at from a pedistrian on the corner of Kokohead and Harding while riding my bike on the sidewalk.

I wasn't even near him as he crossed the intersection behind me when he yelled out that I couldn't ride on the sidewalk. I told him this is a mixed residential-business zone and that I could (I probably lied in the process) but he bought it and I rode off.

But on Kapiolani BLVD I'll take the ticket over being taken to Queen's hospital in an ambulance after being taken out by a city bus ANYTIME!

[i-hungry]

Re: Bicycle riders in town

Its tough to ride a bike in town. If you don't have the skills to change from road to sidewalk, the speed to keep up with traffic for at least short distances or the ability to hop a curb to get to a safe area then you're going to have a hard time.

Like many have already mentioned, the bike paths are lacking in town. If you do find them then they can end all of sudden.

If you ride on the sidewalks then I would recommend a ringing bell. It doesn't always work because some people get confused by the sound. But it can help to get some attention from the sidewalk users.

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Bicycle riders in town

I used to ride my bike from Waialae Nui to Kakaako every morning and afternoon. The safest route by far was Diamond Head Road as Waialae Avenue was suicidal with the morning traffic.

Coming home (Kokohead bound) I would travel along Ala Moana Blvd then onto Kalakaua crossing over Paki then up Monseratt to 18th avenue and down Kilauea into Waialae Nui Valley.

As traffic worsened so did my near miss incidents by city buses, police cars and errant morning commuters. I gave up bike riding and took the bus for a while, but then it seems even catching the bus meant standing in a fully loaded bus as a full-fare passenger (no student or senior discounts for this gap group middle ager).

One morning on the way to work I had enough of it and the next day I said, "F*ck the environment" and drove my BMW to work. I paid for luxury, I deserve to drive it too. Until there was a better and safer way to bike from East Honolulu to the urban core, I said saving the earth isn't worth killing myself over it.

[Da Rolling Eye]

Re: Bicycle riders in town

When I lived in Makiki, I used to ride all over the place between Kapiolani Park and Kalihi on Nimitz and got side swiped only once just before pulling into my apartment's driveway. I also used the sidewalks when I had to, if staying on the road in certain areas/situations posed too much of a risk.

Knowing what I know now, wear a helmet, use high vis apparel and flashing lights and cross yourself before pedaling off. Actually, I've noticed only the few who just don't give a darn about bike riders. Most motorists simply slow down and wait till they have a chance to go around safely. They didn't have bike lanes like they do now, when I was living in town.

Living out country, I now ride a scooter to work. I wear a helmet, high vis vest and use flashing lights and I have the "luxury" of riding in the bike lanes all the way to my destination. Used to, anyway. They now have somekind of construction work out Whitmore side and they closed off the bike lanes and didn't make any alternate routes for bikers and pedestrians. Yeah, got people who walk from Whitmore to Wahiawa. I'm also planning on upgrading my bike so I can ride to work, but gotta look for an electric assist set up. Got a couple hills I won't be able to pedal up unassisted.

[StinkyTheGrump]

Re: Bicycle riders in town

I commute by bicycle from Aiea to downtown almost daily and feel quite safe doing so. I suggest you only ride on roads that are fit for bicycle travel. Here is a good map that has bike paths/lanes shown. If you must ride on a road in traffic with no bike lane then you should take the lane and attempt to keep up with traffic. This is not for beginner's though, so, again; you might be better off only riding on roads with bikes lanes or stick to bike paths. Good luck!
http://www6.hawaii.gov/dot/highways/bike/oahu/index.htm

[Menehune Man]

Re: Bicycle riders in town

For quite a few years, up to a couple of years ago, I rode daily.
Even while owning a car too. But I came to the realization that our roads are a mess and drivers oblivious to bicycles. Those two put together has stopped me from riding. Admittedly my moped isn't much better, but I do appear to be more visible to others on the road. Now, if we had separate bike paths...

[Composite 2992]

Re: Bicycle riders in town

Then there are joggers who sometimes hog the bike lane along Kalanianaole. There's a perfectly good sidewalk there yet they want to poach what little real estate is set up for cyclists.

The bike paths are actually multi-use and pedestrians have the right to use them. But most don't understand the concept of staying to the right. Yes, it's not like walking on the road. Pedestrians and cyclists are supposed to stay right.

Of course you might come across a huge gaggle of track kids taking up the entire right-of-way who don't understand the simple phrase "coming through". Or you'll find a group of runners cooling off after their run, and socializing right in the path when there's an acre of grass OFF the path. Kids fishing off bridges laying their bikes across the right-of-way. I caught one kid stringing fishing line across the path once!

Overall, cycling can be fun. The problem is that the world has become full of people who simply don't make themselves aware of what's around them. They step onto the path and turn off their brains. In fact, some of these people merge onto the freeway and do the same thing!

Good news, tho: The bike bath is about to be extended beyond Waipahu.

[TATTRAT]

Re: Bicycle riders in town

Safer to walk. A lot of people seem oblivious to those on two wheels, I know first hand.

[tutusue]

Re: Bicycle riders in town

No one could pay me enough to ride a bike in town...or most anywhere else on Oahu for that matter. I hold my breath every time I'm driving and pass a biker for fear that s/he will make an unpredictable move.

[Nords]

Re: Bicycle riders in town

My question is, how do you get over the fear of riding with all those cars and busses around?

That fear is your body & mind telling you that the city needs more bike lanes. I'm not sure the benefits of exercise and reduced carbon footprints are worth the risk.

Riding on the sidewalks is mostly a misdemeanor, let alone the trauma & hassle of running into someone. Not much better on the roadway, but if you keep up with the traffic then you'll minimize the close calls. My worst fears were the drivers who made unpredictable lane changes & turns (right or left) or even decided to pull over and open their car doors.

Your best defense is eye contact-- and a loud voice to jolt someone off their cell phone or latte.

Pearl Harbor's bike trail is a great design and execution, but even that can't save the cyclists from the pedestrians who think the paving is their territory. Apparently "Bike Lane" also means "Pedestrians walk here!".

I used to commute 2000-3000 miles a year, but decided that I'd had enough when we moved a bit further north and added Kam Hwy's Kipapa Gulch to the ride.

[Composite 2992]

Re: Bicycle riders in town

My question is, how do you get over the fear of riding with all those cars and busses around?

Ride fast.

No kidding. Best defense is to keep up with traffic and ride predictably. That's what I used to do.

[mergecross]

Any of you people ride bicycles in town? I just rebuilt a Miyata bike my friend gave me and I'm afraid to ride it to work. I'm not the type to ride on the sidewalk because I know I'll probably run someone over.
My question is, how do you get over the fear of riding with all those cars and busses around?
I use the bike lane when I ride in Kunia, so the cars aren't a big deal there.