The cycling community across Hawai‘i has much to celebrate during Bicycle Month, which officially kicks off on May 4th, notably three statewide bills which have been adopted by the Hawai‘i legislature and are on their way to the Governor.
HB 958, HD, 2, SD 2, CD 1 – This is an omnibus e-bike bill with essential statutory updates for traffic code statewide.
It had its origins last year in the Honolulu City Council as Bill 52, which Mayor Blangiardi signed into law in February.
From these beginnings, DTS Director Roger Morton convened a task force to include HPD, DOT, other city agencies, and HBL. This resulted in a list of recommendations to the Hawai‘i Legislature and House Transportation Chair Kila to introduce HB 958. Special shoutout to HDOT Director Ed Sniffen, Office of the Attorney General, and the Honolulu Police Department.
This bill earned wide public support during the 2025 legislative session including from Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Justice, Hawai‘i Public Health Initiative, Hawai‘i Pacific Health and Ulupono Initiative. Working together, we are creating safer streets for all.
HB 1231, HD 1, SD 1, CD1 – This bill had several twists and turns during session and we were holding our breath last week as the measure continued to get deferred. The final language provides a critical funding stream for Safe Routes To Schools, via a $5 vehicle registration fee.
SRTS has been a priority issue for HBL and has potential to impact the vast majority of Hawai‘i residents, who live within a few miles of a school. We will continue to champion the work of this legislatively chartered committee in the months and years ahead.
SB 1195, SD 1, HD 2, CD1 – relating to transportation, this bill calls for “daylighting” intersections by banning street parking within twenty feet of a crosswalk and designating fines collected will support SRTS.
Please let Governor Green know we want him to sign these bills into law.
Other wins were two resolutions, HCR 177 and SCR 182, which recommended the City & County of Honolulu to host and pilot an Open Streets program. With their adoption, the public policy conversation about closing streets to cars and opening them for exclusive use for walking, biking, and rolling for a few hours each year is off to a good start. HBL will continue to advocate for Open Streets at the state level and for the counties.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please email Advocacy Director Eduardo Hernandez