Bill Text: HI SR32 | 2010 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii Senate Resolution 32 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Hybrid Bicycle Study; Department of Transportation

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2010-03-04 - (S) Report and Resolution Adopted. [SR32 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2010-SR32-Amended.html

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2645

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 32

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

Your Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.R. No. 32 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING A STUDY TO RECOMMEND STATUTORY AMENDMENTS TO ADDRESS THE SAFE AND PROPER OPERATION OF BICYCLES, MOPEDS, TWO-SEAT MOPEDS, SEGWAYS, HYBRID BICYCLES, AND POWERFUL MOPEDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Transportation to coordinate a study with the transportation department of each of the respective counties and with interested stakeholders to recommend changes to current laws in order to accommodate the safe and proper operation of bicycles, mopeds, two-seat mopeds, Segways, hybrid bicycles, and powerful mopeds

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Department of Transportation. Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

Your Committee finds that advancements in technology have made it possible to design and manufacture bicycles with electric motors and batteries to either supplement or to fully drive bicycles, making it possible for riders to cover longer distances, such as with hybrid bicycles that incorporate new technology and are very similar in size and weight to traditional bicycles. However, chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to the statewide traffic code defines "bicycle", "moped", "motor scooter", and "electric personal assistive mobility device" (Segway), but does not define hybrid bicycle, Segway, or two-seat moped. Moreover, existing definitions for bicycle, moped, and motor scooter are outdated.

Your Committee further finds that the streets and roadways in the State vary considerably in width and congestion, two important factors in the safe operation of traditional bicycles, mopeds, two-seat mopeds, Segways, hybrid bicycles, and powerful mopeds. A comprehensive study to be coordinated by the Department of Transportation and involving the transportation departments of each county, as well as interested stakeholders, is necessary to recommend changes to current laws in order to accommodate the safe and proper operation of bicycles, mopeds, two-seat mopeds, Segways, hybrid bicycles, and powerful mopeds.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 32 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs,

____________________________

J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair