- Bicycle Facilities -
Bicycles are allowed on all roadways unless explicitly prohibited. Dedicated bike facilities are created to provide separation between bicyclists and motor vehicles. Bikeways such as paths and separated bike lanes allow bicyclists to ride without merging with motor vehicles. Separation allows for a wide variety of people with varying skills, purposes, and speeds to use a bicycle.
- Say “Passing on your left” or “On your left” to alert other users you’re passing—and only pass on the left. Give a clear signal when passing either by using a bell or your voice. Warn far enough in advance that you have time to maneuver if necessary.
- Remember to: » BE PATIENT » RIDE AT A SAFE SPEED » FOLLOW STANDARD RULES » TAKE CARE AT INTERSECTIONS » WATCH FOR CAR DOORS, DEBRIS, AND PEDESTRIANS MID-BLOCK
Shared/multi-use path
Shared use paths, also commonly referred to as trails or greenways, are separated paths/trails that serve people bicycling, walking, and other nonmotorized users.
What to Know:
- Be courteous to everyone and yield to all other trail users. Bike paths are not made for speed.
- If you’re riding with others, do not use more than half the width of the trail.
- If you have trash, carry it until you find a trash can. Keep our ‘āina clean!
- No motorized vehicles allowed!
Bike Lane
Bike lanes are separated by a white line with bicycle markings and bike lane signs. These lanes allow bicyclists to ride at their preferred speed without keeping up with motor traffic. It encourages predictable behavior and movements between bicyclists and motorists on the road.
If a bicyclist is not keeping up with traffic and there is a bike lane present (on the street they’re riding on), Hawai‘i law states the cyclist must use that bike lane unless:
-The bicyclist is preparing to make a turn
-The bicyclist deems the bike lane unsafe (obstacle, hazardous condition, etc.)
What to Know:
- Watch for cars turning across your path
- Stay out of the dreaded "door zone" by keeping at least 3-5ft of space between you and parked cars
- Cars turning across bike lane must yield to bicycles & pedestrians, and turn when safe
- No motorized vehicles allowed!
Examples of Bike Lanes on O‘ahu
Buffered Bike Lane
Buffered bike lanes are bike lanes with buffered striped areas that give bicyclists more space away from the adjacent travel/parking lane. This gives bicyclists more breathing room away from motor traffic.
What to Know:
- When wet, striping and paint on the road get really slippery. Slow your speed down & try to avoid braking on the paint.
Examples of Buffered Bike Lanes on O‘ahu
Protected Bike Lane
Protected bike lanes (PBL) are bike lanes that are physically separated from traffic. The physical separation can be created by a variety of objects including on-street parking, curbs, planters, and/or plastic delineators. Protected bike lanes can be on the left or right side of the road and can be one-way or two-way direction of travel.
Head’s up:
Most of O‘ahu’s PBLs are 2-directional for bicycle travel, with centerline stripes to demarcate opposing lanes of travel & guiding arrows pointing in the direction you should be biking in.
What to Know:
- Pay attention to the green paint in the PBL. This is your reminder to look both ways for cars before you get to the paint.
- By law, motorists must yield to bicyclists & pedestrians. Bicyclists must also yield to pedestrians.
- PBLs are for bicycles. Skateboards, scooters, mopeds, and other motorized vehicles are prohibited from using (or parking in) the protected bike lane.
Examples of Protected Bike Lanes on O‘ahu:
Bike Boxes
A bike box is an area at a signalized intersection in front of the stop bar for bicyclists to maneuver themselves to the front of the lane when traffic is paused during a red light, in order to make a safe turn and be easily seen by motorists. Bicycle boxes should be primarily considered to mitigate conflicts between through bicyclists and right-turning motorists and to reduce conflicts between motorists and bicyclists at the beginning of the green signal phase.
What to Know:
- Only use a bike box when you approach an intersection at a red light
Examples of Bike Boxes on O‘ahu:
Two-stage Turn Queue Box
A two-stage turn queue box offers bicyclists a guided way to make left turns into multi-lane signalized intersections from a bike lane by highlighting a boxed area on the opposing intersection for bicyclists to connect to and then proceed to make the turn when it is safe and their turn to do so.
Examples of Two-stage Turn Queue Boxes on O‘ahu:
Sharrows
Shared lane markings (or “sharrows”) are pavement markings that denote shared bicycle and motor vehicle travel lanes. The markings are two chevrons positioned above a bicycle symbol, placed where the bicyclist is anticipated to operate.
What to Know:
- Use the Sharrow as a positioning device for bicyclists riding on the road. It is meant to guide bicyclists on where to be on the road and help foster the idea of a shared space with motorists on the road.
- Reminds motorists to be cautious and considerate as there is a higher likelihood of bicyclists being on the road.
Examples of Sharrows on O‘ahu:
Bikeway
A general term including bicycle lanes or bicycle paths. Any type of bicycle facility, including paths in separate rights-of-way and on-street bikeways. Includes bike lanes, paved shoulders, signed bike routes, and shared use paths
Shoulder Bikeway
A shoulder bikeway is typically reserved for rural road cross-sections. Paved shoulders provide a range of benefits: they reduce motor vehicle crashes; reduce long-term roadway maintenance; ease short-term maintenance, such as debris clearing; and provide space for bicyclists and pedestrians.
City Transit Bus Lane
A lane of a laned roadway, designated by the director of transportation services as being restricted exclusively for city transit buses, official city vehicles on authorized missions on or adjacent to the city transit bus lane, authorized tow vehicles, and bicycles.
Signed Route
“Bike Route” signage helps guide bicyclists along a designated bicycle route, direction changes, and wayfinding.
Bicycle Boulevard
Bicycle boulevards are streets with low motorized traffic volumes and speeds, designated and designed to give bicycle travel priority. Bicycle boulevards use signs, pavement markings, and speed and volume management measures to discourage through trips by motor vehicles and create safe, convenient bicycle crossings of busy arterial streets
Bicycle Detection
A system of hardware and software that detects the presence of bicyclists at a traffic signal and calls the green signal for the activated approach. Bicycle detection may consist of inductive loops, microwave, magnetometers, or pushbutton technologies.
Additional Helpful Resources:
» Downloadable/Online O‘ahu Bike Map
» HBL’s Commuter Mentor Program – Complete the Bike Buddy form here to get help mapping out a stress-free route that fits your biking experience and comfort level riding in Hawai‘i.
» O‘ahu Bike Guide 2022 (6th Edition) – Provided by the City & County of Honolulu, Department of Transportation Services
» For more detailed information on these facility types, as well as additional design considerations for intersections, crossings, and traffic calming measures, please see the Honolulu Bicycle Facility Design Toolkit.
» O‘ahu Bike Plan – 2019 Update – This O‘ahu Bike Plan Update, completed in December 2019, will guide the continued growth of bicycling as a safe, convenient, accessible, affordable, healthy, and fun transportation option. The focus of this 2019 O‘ahu Bike Plan Update is to identify specific projects, policies, and programs that will expand bicycle ridership and provide a network of safe, low-stress bikeways attractive to users of all ages and abilities.