It is time for the citizens of Hawaii to hold our elected officials and appointees accountable on Complete Streets. An important step towards the larger goal of Complete Streets is Waialae Avenue. Waialae Avenue is one of the most important transit corridors in our city, connecting and intersecting multiple neighborhoods. Implementing dedicated bike lanes would be beneficial not only for cyclists but for the entire community.
The Department of Transportation Services (DTS) conducted a traffic feasibility study to simulate dedicated bike lanes Waialae Avenue on September 20-22, 2011. Results from the study have not been released and it is questionable whether dedicated bike lanes will be included in the resurfacing project that is scheduled to commence in early 2012.
It is crucial for the Honolulu cycling community to stand behind this cause.
Act 54, which was passed by the Hawaii State Legislature in 2009 requires the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) and the County transportation departments to adopt a Complete Streets Policy that seeks to reasonably accommodate convenient access and mobility for all users of the public highways including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, motorists,and persons of all ages and abilities.
We, the undersigned residents of Honolulu and non-resident proponents, support dedicated bike lanes on Waialae Avenue. To protect the lives of cyclists and to encourage more people to ride bikes for the health our citizens, our communities and our environment, we call on the City of Honolulu to revise the Waialae Avenue resurfacing project to include dedicated bike lanes.
We envision a city where people of all ages, abilities and income-levels can safely bike to work, where parents can feel comfortable allowing their children to bike to school, where everyone can breathe clean air, and where we all have realistic alternatives to automobile transportation. We believe that streets are for people, and that our public spaces are better used, and our communities healthier and more vibrant, when filled with pedestrians, cyclists, transit vehicles and trees.
We look forward to the city's adoption and implementation of a Complete Streets policy that will accommodate the transportation needs of all users.
Mahalo for your hard work and dedication in improving our city.
