Aloha Committee members, Chair Sugimura, and Senator Schatz.
My name is Lewis Upfold, COO of Haleakala Bike Company
I would like to echo a previous comment regarding the timeliness of this infrastructure bill and funding. I have recently testified on behalf of our company, as well as a local resident of Upcountry Maui regarding the downhill bike industry and it's effects on the local community. In our discussions, one thing is consistent on both sides of this issue. We need better roads if we want to accommodate bikers, pedestrians and vehicles. The proposed ordinance seeks to regulate the bike industry which employs dozens of local residents, but we feel improvements to the roadways to accommodate bikers would alleviate a large portion of the concerns presented. Because creating larger shoulders or building suitable pullouts is a top recommendation from not only these discussions, but also the 2010 Kimura Bike Study, one might argue that the Issue belongs in this Infrastructure and Transportation Committee. Either way, we strongly believe that this committee and specifically the infrastructure funding could help both the upcountry communities and the local businesses thrive together by allocating some of this funding to improve this route which is the most traversed route by bicyclist on the island. The Bill specifically says it should be used for roads, and Hawaii has shown growing interest in having a cycling friendly environment in Senator Schatz' Vulnerable Road Users Act to promote safe roads for pedestrians and cyclists. This is a great opportunity for us all! Thank you for your time and efforts, we do appreciate your attention to all our local voices and concerns. Mahalo.
This seems to be timely, Our Representative Schatz should be asked if the infrastructure bill could be used for bike pull outs and bike lanes on Maui. It seems to be a subject being discussed in Chairman Molina's committee. AGENDA-44 item.
Aloha Committee members, Chair Sugimura, and Senator Schatz.
My name is Lewis Upfold, COO of Haleakala Bike Company
I would like to echo a previous comment regarding the timeliness of this infrastructure bill and funding. I have recently testified on behalf of our company, as well as a local resident of Upcountry Maui regarding the downhill bike industry and it's effects on the local community. In our discussions, one thing is consistent on both sides of this issue. We need better roads if we want to accommodate bikers, pedestrians and vehicles. The proposed ordinance seeks to regulate the bike industry which employs dozens of local residents, but we feel improvements to the roadways to accommodate bikers would alleviate a large portion of the concerns presented. Because creating larger shoulders or building suitable pullouts is a top recommendation from not only these discussions, but also the 2010 Kimura Bike Study, one might argue that the Issue belongs in this Infrastructure and Transportation Committee. Either way, we strongly believe that this committee and specifically the infrastructure funding could help both the upcountry communities and the local businesses thrive together by allocating some of this funding to improve this route which is the most traversed route by bicyclist on the island. The Bill specifically says it should be used for roads, and Hawaii has shown growing interest in having a cycling friendly environment in Senator Schatz' Vulnerable Road Users Act to promote safe roads for pedestrians and cyclists. This is a great opportunity for us all! Thank you for your time and efforts, we do appreciate your attention to all our local voices and concerns. Mahalo.
This seems to be timely, Our Representative Schatz should be asked if the infrastructure bill could be used for bike pull outs and bike lanes on Maui. It seems to be a subject being discussed in Chairman Molina's committee. AGENDA-44 item.