KGMB9: Cyclists Ecstatic About New Amendment - 10 November, 2006

A new amendment mandates that the city make it a priority to transform Honolulu into a bicycle and pedestrian friendly city. Whether they are Democrats or Republicans, bicyclists in Hawaii are celebrating an election victory. Of those who voted in the General Election, 72 percent said “yes” to Honolulu charter amendment number eight. That amendment mandates that the city make it a priority to transform Honolulu into a bicycle and pedestrian friendly city.

“We’re ecstatic. We think it’s fantastic,” said Kristi Schulenberg, executive director of the Hawaii Bicycling League. “It’s a huge statement by the public as to wanting a pedestrian and bicycle friendly city. There’s just absolutely no question that that’s what this community wants in Honolulu.”

Schulenberg said Honolulu has a long way to go to attain “bike-friendly” status. Too often, she said, bicyclists have to compete with cars for space on the road, and when forced off the road they have to compete with pedestrians on side walks.

The league wants more bike paths, bike lanes, bicycle education and wants to make sure when mass transit is built it is build to move people and their bikes.