In recognition of the 53rd annual National Bike Month, Hawai‘i will promote its first statewide celebration of “Bike to Work Week” May 11 to 15. Residents are encouraged to employ a healthier mode of transportation by either biking, walking or
In recognition of the 53rd annual National Bike Month, Hawai‘i will promote its first statewide celebration of “Bike to Work Week” May 11 to 15. Residents are encouraged to employ a healthier mode of transportation by either biking, walking or taking the bus to work or school. Tuesday is “Bike to School Day” and next Friday, “Bike to Work Day.”
Promoting the event on Kaua‘i is Kaua‘i Path, an organization with a vision of residents working together to preserve, protect and extend access island-wide through the design and stewardship of non-motorized multi-use paths.
For next Friday’s commute, a convoy to Lihu‘e will be led by cyclist Laurel Brier, meeting at 7:30 a.m. at Kapa‘a Beach Park. Mayor Bernard Carvalho will join the riders as far as Waipouli bus stop near Brick Oven Pizza where he’ll catch the 8:30 a.m. County Bus.
Outreach has been specifically targeting Kaua‘i schools.
“Last week school superintendent William Arakaki gave “Bike to School Day” his blessing,” said Kaua‘i Path board member and organizer Greg Robison.
Formal proposals were sent to all schools encouraging students to ride their bikes to school Tuesday. Students can get permission slips from their teachers. Today is the deadline for turning them in.
“Even if kids don’t ride to school the cause wins,” Robison said.
From the conversation he’s followed through a string of e-mails Robison is encouraged by the dialogue among parents discussing details to consider if their kids are going to ride to school, like overgrown hedges blocking driver visibility, neighborhood dogs or the absence of bike racks at the schools.
“I hear parents say, ‘here we live in this beautiful place and my kid can’t ride his bike to school,’” Robison said. “Now riding is on the radar and the passion is catching.”
The biking community is uniting on many levels. County Councilman Tim Bynum pledged to bike to work next Friday and Tuesday Mayor Bernard Carvalho signed a proclamation naming the week a “Hawai‘i Pedal-Powered Bike to Work Week,” stating that bicycling is the most energy-efficient form of transportation and reduces dependency on foreign oil. Kaua‘i County Resolution 2008-44 states that Kaua‘i supports efforts by the State of Hawai‘i, County of Kaua‘i and other stakeholders to improve bicycle safety in the County of Kaua‘i.
To insure bicycle road-readiness, Bicycle John, The Bike Doktor and Kaua‘i Cycle will offer free inspections from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. May 14.
Having ridden to work for 15 years, Robison said there is an art to the daily commute.
“There’s a lot to work out,” he said. “If you’re going to commute you need to consider your equipment, route, the elements and safety. But these are all solvable and there’s information out there.” Visit hawaiipedalpower.com or bikeleague.org
For more information about “Bike to Work Week” or “Bike to School Day” call, 652-8345. To learn more about Kaua‘i Path visit kauaipath.org
Want to Pedal?
• Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Kapa‘a Beach Park. Pedal to Lihu‘e or park at Waipouli bus stop and take the County Bus.
• Don’t forget to bring a lock for your bike.
•For more info. call
652-8345.
• Pam Woolway, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or pwoolway@kauaipubco.com
