Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Pedestrian right-of-way
exists in some bike lanes
Question: As a frequent bike rider and a resident of Hawaii Kai, I often encounter runners in the road who are traveling against the flow of traffic. As they are traveling against the flow of traffic, do I have the right of way?Answer: If they're legally allowed to walk along the roadway, then pedestrians, including runners, are supposed to be facing the flow of traffic for safety reasons and have the right of way.
Honolulu police Capt. Bryan Wauke of the Traffic Division cited the pertinent state and city laws covering this matter.
First, he said pedestrians aren't supposed to be in "an adjacent roadway, bike lane or bicycle path" in areas where sidewalks are provided, under Chapter 291C-76 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes.
"Where sidewalks are not provided, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall, when practicable, walk only on the left side of the roadway or facing traffic, which may approach from the opposite direction," under that section.
That's so people can see approaching vehicles, Wauke said.
According to Section 18.3(c) (2) of the Honolulu Traffic Code, "Where there is no adjacent paved sidewalk provided, then a pedestrian may use the bicycle lane as a walkway and a bicycle rider shall yield the right of way to the pedestrian. When using a bicycle lane, a pedestrian shall walk as near the outside edge as possible. When two or more pedestrians use a bicycle lane, they shall walk in single file as near the outside edge as possible."
Meanwhile, Sec. 15-18.8 of the city's Traffic Code says, "No person shall ride or operate a bicycle within a bicycle lane in any direction except that permitted of vehicular traffic traveling on the same side of the roadway; provided, that bicycles may proceed either way along a lane where arrows appear on the surface of the lane designating two-way traffic."
Q: My name is Kayla Huffman-Kiko, and I am a fifth-grader at Enchanted Lake Elementary School. Every day, I pass a broken bus cement bench on Wanaao Street in Enchanted Lakes, Kailua. I see Mr. Paul, our custodian, from my school sitting on it. I feel so sorry for him. After working all day, he is sitting on that broken bench, nearly to the ground, waiting patiently for his bus. Please fix it as soon as possible. This will make me very happy because I know Mr. Paul will be happy, too.
A: It took a few weeks, but if you noticed, the broken bench was replaced last weekend by the city Department of Transportation Services.
According to the Department of Customer Services, it was all due to your nice request.
Looking for dog owner
In October, I was talking to a young woman who frequently walked her part-pit bull dog on a leash by my house on Konia Street. Suddenly, the dog bit me on the thigh. I was so shocked, but I thought I was OK because there was no blood. However, I later did go to the emergency room. The owner said she was willing to help pay for my bill, but I forgot to get her name and number. She lives on Kapalama Heights, but I haven't seen her again. I hope she sees this and will get in contact with me. -- A Senior Citizen
Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com