WHAT'S THE LAW?
Corridor is not for motorized bikes
Question: At the intersection of King and Hotel streets, there is a sign that reads, "Buses and bikes only." I'd like to know if the word bikes refers only to pedal bicycles, or does it include motorized bikes such as motorcycles and mo-peds.
Answer: From Janet Kelly, Legal Aid attorney: The Hotel Street corridor is designated as a bicycle route on the Hawaii Department of Transportation Map of Bicycle Routes and can only be used by bicycles and mo-peds unless special circumstances apply. Hawaii laws provide that generally only a bicycle or mo-ped may use a bikeway; a "bikeway" is defined as a bicycle lane, path or route. Vehicles other than a bicycle or mo-ped are not allowed to use a bikeway unless certain limited circumstances apply such as when a vehicle is making a turn, lane change or parking maneuver; is an emergency or government vehicle performing official duties; is a stalled or broken-down vehicle; is another vehicle assisting a stalled or broken-down vehicle; is a vehicle yielding to an emergency vehicle; or is authorized to use the bikeway by other provisions of the law. A bicycle is defined as a solely human-propelled vehicle with two tandem wheels which a person can ride, and a mo-ped is defined as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with an automatic engine of 2 horsepower or less, a maximum engine displacement of 50 cubic centimeters (50 cc) or less, and travels at a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour. A motorcycle would not be allowed to use the bikeway unless it was doing so under one of the exceptions listed above. A motorcycle is defined as any other vehicle having a riding seat or saddle that is propelled by three wheels or less, and excludes a mo-ped and a farm tractor. Although there might be some exceptions, it's important to remember that all traffic laws and regulations apply to bicycle and mo-ped riders using the roadways. A detailed bicycle route map can be found at www.state.hi.us/dot/highways/other. htm. Bicycle registration information and a PDF copy of a brochure titled "Bicycle Regulations and Illustrated Safety Tips" can be found at www.honolulu.gov/dts/bikereg.htm.
Legal Aid Society of Hawaii operates statewide. Practice areas include housing, public benefits, consumer and family law but not criminal law. For information, call 536-4302. Submit questions by e-mail to
dawalla@lashaw.org or by U.S. mail to Legal Aid Q&A, 924 Bethel St., Honolulu, HI 96813.