Riding a bike on Kaua‘i roads is seen by some as a death-wish. But not to Jason Barth, owner of Kaua‘i Cycle on Kuhio Highway in Kapa‘a. He rides his bike daily on roads some consider the most trafficked on
Riding a bike on Kaua‘i roads is seen by some as a death-wish. But not to Jason Barth, owner of Kaua‘i Cycle on Kuhio Highway in Kapa‘a. He rides his bike daily on roads some consider the most trafficked on the island.
“For the most part it’s good,” said Barth. Although, “when you’re in the lane (with traffic) it can be a problem.” He recommends staying as far as possible to the right.
Barth has observed drivers who pass too closely to riders: “The law is for drivers to allow a three foot cushion,” he said.
But an even bigger problem than cars passing too close, is how the drivers misjudge the speed of the cyclist. “They pass safely but then stop suddenly to make a turn into a shopping center.” Barth said he sees this all the time and it’s the cause of several accidents.
The bottom line is “the right road at the right time of the day,” said Barth.
An under-utilized safe cycling area Barth recommends is in Wailua. “I do laps in the Homesteads on weekdays when everyone’s at work,” he said.
On the other hand, there are roads that should be avoided by cyclists, he says. “You couldn’t pay me to ride a road bike down the Tunnel of Trees,” said Barth.
Kamalu Road in Wailua is another road Barth recommends avoiding.
Cyclists sharing the road with drivers is becoming a common sight. One heavily trafficked footpath used by bikes, scooters and walkers daily is the slim paved walkway along Kawaihau Road. While it is an excellent place for strolling with keiki and pets, Barth doesn’t recommend it for riders. “Performance riders go too fast. It’s just not practical when you’re traveling between 15 and 30 mph.”
“Besides,” he continued, “there’s always cars parked on it and the driveways are dangerous. If I use it, I go slowly.”
Otherwise, Barth sticks to the road. “I have had cars yell at me to use the path though,” he said.
For the most part, Kaua‘i Cycle rents mountain bikes, so Barth encourages visitors to keep to the dirt tracks. Now with the progress on the walking path just outside his back door, he’s sold dozens of bikes to locals who’ve been waiting for the path to open.
“We’re selling tons of bells and horns,” Barth said.
This way when cyclists are approaching walkers, “they can give a little ring to let them know you’re coming.”
There’s been overwhelming support of the path. “The moment there was 100 feet of pavement, people were on it,” said Barth.
Thomas Noyes, chair of the Kaua‘i Path Committee, has a strategy for encouraging courtesy on the unfinished path along the Kapa‘a coastline. “We’re starting a program called Friends of the Path to provide a core of volunteers who can commit two hours a week as ambassadors,” Noyes said.
On Thursday, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center crafts room, the group will hold its first meeting.
“My ultimate goal,” said Noyse, “is to see multi-modal transportation on the island.”
“I hope people can one day get around without relying on their own personal vehicle,” said Noyes.
The objective of the committee is to promote a healthy community atmosphere on the Kapa‘a walking path. Volunteers will be disseminating information on path etiquette. Considering the population on the path includes strollers, bikes, walkers and roller bladers, encouragement to act courteously is proactive.
Barth sees the bike path as a welcome reprieve for people who’ve never been motivated to learn to ride a bike because their neighborhood was too hilly or the traffic too heavy. “I’ve met adults who didn’t even know how to ride a bike,” he said.
Barth recommends riding single file on Kaua‘i roads and being careful of drivers who drift onto the shoulder. “The roads are so narrow. It’s on the driver and the rider to share.”
For information on the Kaua‘i Path meeting, contact Bill Barchers at 429-2008, or e-mail williambarchers@yahoo.com.
• Pam Woolway, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or pwoolway@kauaipubco.com.
