County of Hawaiʻi Guideines for Bicyclists
Aloha! In an effort to assist you with having a worry-free and enjoyable riding experiences, here are some general bicycle safety guidelines:
Your Responsibilities
- Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles: Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all the rights and shall be subjected to all of the duties - (29 lc-142)
- Obey all traffic laws and regulations (STOP signs, traffic lights, right-of-way, pedestrian walks
- Ride in bike lanes, bike paths, shoulders, wherever possible and practicable
- Ride only single-file on roadways, and always in line of traffic
- Ride as far to the right as practicable - (291 C-145: Riding on roadways and bikeways)
- Signal every time you turn or change lanes
- Look back before changing lanes or turning
- Call out loud "on your left" and/or honk when approaching cyclist or moped rider ahead of you, before you attempt to pass
- Only pass on your left
- Do not ride on sidewalks in business districts- (291 C-148)
- Riding on bicycles: Persons riding bikes must ride on a regular attached seat. No packing allowed! Each person must have their own seat - (291C-143)
- Clinging to vehicles: It's not only dangerous to hold onto a vehicle while riding a bike, on a skateboard, or similar equipment. .. It's against the Jaw! -(291C-144)
- Always keep one hand on the handle bar at all times, it's the law.
- Have your bike equipped with proper lights and reflectors, especially when riding at dusk/dawn and at night
- Always wear a helmet (Persons under 16 years old must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle- (291 C-150)
Your Rights
- On shoulders, bike lanes, bike paths, it is permitted to ride abreast, if it is safe, not impeding the traffic, and if there is sufficient width (291 C-145 (b))
- If conditions are unsafe along the edge of the roadway/curb, and/or the shoulder, cyclists are allowed to ride in the traffic lane (291C-145 (a)(2))
- Cyclists are permitted to move into a traffic lane to overtake another cyclist, vehicle, or pedestrian in the bike path/shoulder.
- Cyclists have all the rights and responsibilities of all traffic participants.