Read the full stored bill text
HB486
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
486
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to TRANSPORTATION
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
����
SECTION
1.
�
Electric bicycles have become widely
available for personal transportation and are popular among citizens of all
ages.
�
In March 2023, there were five
thousand three hundred registered electric bicycles.
�
This figure is potentially higher considering
that many owners do not register their bikes, especially if they are purchased
online.
In
December of 2023, the department of transportation reported nine bicyclist
fatalities, the highest recorded number of deaths among bicyclists in Hawaii to
date.
�
Furthermore, electric bicycles can
seriously injure pedestrians in a collision and operators are at risk from
motorists who do not expect a small, silent, and motorized device riding near
them.
�
The legislature finds, in the wake
of a recent surge in ridership accidents, it is critical to address the unsafe
operation of electric bicycles.
�
The
purpose of this Act is to
:
����
(1)
�
Prohibit the operation of
an electric bicycle
on highway, street, roadway, or any other areas
designated for motor vehicles;
����
(2)
�
Prohibit reckless or unsafe operation of an
electric bicycle; and
����
(3)
�
Prohibit the
removal of a manufacturer- or factory-installed speed limiting device from an
electric bicycle.
����
SECTION
2
.
�
Section
291C-145, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
����
"
�291C-145
�
Riding on roadways and
bikeways.
�
(a)
�
Every person operating a
bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving
in the same direction at such time shall ride as near to the right-hand curb,
on the edge of the roadway, or on the shoulder off of the roadway as
practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one
proceeding in the same direction; except under any of the following situations:
����
(1)
�
When
preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or
driveway, except where prohibited by official traffic-control devices;
����
(2)
�
When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including but not limited
to fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface
hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the
right-hand curb, on the edge of the roadway, or on the shoulder off of the
roadway.
�
For purposes of this section, a
"substandard width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle
and a vehicle to travel safely side-by-side within the lane; or
����
(3)
�
When a roadway is
designated
and signposted to carry traffic in one direction only and has two or more
marked traffic lanes, a person operating a bicycle may ride as near to the
left-hand curb, on the edge of the roadway, or on the shoulder off of such
roadway as practicable.
����
(b)
�
Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall ride in single file;
provided that where the flow of traffic is unimpeded, riding two abreast upon
bicycle lanes and bicycle paths shall be permitted when such lane or path is of
sufficient width to allow riding two abreast unless otherwise prohibited by
rule or ordinance adopted by the director of transportation or by the counties.
����
(c)
�
Whenever a usable bicycle lane has been provided on a highway, any
person operating a bicycle at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic
moving in the same direction at such time shall ride within such bicycle lane,
except that such person may move out of the lane under any of the following
situations:
����
(1)
�
When overtaking
and passing another bicycle, vehicle, or pedestrian within the lane or about to
enter the lane if such overtaking and passing cannot be done safely within the
lane;
����
(2)
�
When preparing for
a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway; or
����
(3)
�
When reasonably
necessary to leave the bicycle lane to avoid debris or other hazardous
conditions.
����
(d)
�
No person operating a bicycle shall leave a bicycle lane until the
movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after giving an
appropriate signal in the event that any vehicle may be affected by the
movement.
����
(e)
�
No person shall operate or ride a bicycle within a bicycle lane in any
direction except that permitted of vehicular traffic traveling on the same side
of the highway.
�
Upon all bicycle paths
of sufficient width and providing for two-way movement of bicycle traffic,
bicycles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right.
����
(f)
�
The director of transportation by rule and the counties by ordinance may
with respect to bikeways under their respective jurisdictions restrict or
prohibit the use of such bikeways by mopeds.
����
(g)
�
No person shall ride a bicycle equipped with a motor on any sidewalk
,
highway, street, or roadway
.
�
The
counties may, by ordinance, post bicycle lanes and bicycle paths to prevent
persons riding a bicycle equipped with a motor from using them.
(h)
�
Any person violating paragraph (g) shall be
subject to the following penalties:
����
(1)
�
A fine of not
more than $500 for a first violation;
����
(2)
�
For a violation
that occurs within one year of a prior violation, a fine of not more than
$1,000 and completion of a traffic safety education program; and
����
(3)
�
For subsequent
violations, a fine of not more than $2,000, suspension of privilege to operate
an electric bicycle in the State for a period of six months, and completion of
a traffic safety education program.
"
����
SECTION
3
.
�
Section
291C-143, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
����
"
�291C-143
�
Riding on bicycles.
�
(a)
�
A
person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a
permanent and regular seat attached thereon.
����
(b)
�
No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the
number for which it is designed and equipped.
����
(c)
�
No person shall operate an electric bicycle
in an unsafe manner, including but not limited to:
����
(1)
�
Reckless or
negligent operation that endangers the operator, pedestrians, or other road
users
;
����
(2)
�
Operating at
speeds exceeding the posted speed limit; and
����
(3)
�
Failing to
adhere to traffic signal, signage, or rules applicable to bicycles.
����
(d)
�
Any person violating paragraph (c) shall be
subject to the following penalties:
����
(1)
�
A fine of not
more than $250 for a first violation; and
����
(2)
�
For a violation
that occurs within three months of a prior violation, a fine of not more than $500.
����
(e)
�
For purposes of this section:
����
"Electric bicycle" means a two- or
three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less
than seven hundred fifty watts that provides propulsion assistance.
�
"Electric bicycle" includes a
low-speed electric bicycle, as defined in title 15 United States Code section
2085.
"
����
SECTION 4.
�
Chapter 286, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to part IV to be appropriately designated and
to read as follows:
����
"
�286-
�
Speed
limiting devices.
�
(a)
�
No person shall:
����
(1)
�
Remove a
manufacturer- or factory-installed speed limiting device from an electric
bicycle; or
����
(2)
�
Operate an
electric bicycle, in which the manufacturer- or factory-installed speed
limiting device was removed from the electric bicycle.
����
(b)
�
For purposes of this section:
����
"Electric bicycle" means a two- or
three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less
than seven hundred fifty watts that provides propulsion assistance.
�
"Electric bicycle" includes a
low-speed electric bicycle, as defined in title 15 United States Code section
2085.
����
"Speed limiting device" means a device
or function in an electric bicycle capable of limiting the maximum motive
power-controlled speed at which the electric bicycle may operate.
"
����
SECTION 5.
�
The department of transportation shall
develop a traffic safety education program and a public awareness campaign to
educate the public about general electric bicycle riding safety, rules of the
road, and laws pertaining to electric bicycles, no later than twenty days prior
to the convening of the regular session of 2026.
�
The department shall
inform individuals of the applicable traffic code, safety
information, and penalties for violations at the time of registering an
electric bicycle.
����
SECTION 6.
�
There is appropriated out of the general
revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $
��������
or so much thereof as may be necessary
for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be
necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for implementation and administration of a
traffic safety education program and a public awareness campaign.
����
The sums
appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation
for the purposes of this Act.
����
SECTION 7.
�
This Act does not affect rights and duties
that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun
before its effective date.
����
SECTION 8.
�
New statutory material is underscored.
����
SECTION 9.
�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Electric Bicycles; Roadways; Speed Limiting Devices;
Penalties
Description:
Prohibits
the operation of an electric bicycle
on highway, street, roadway, or any
other areas designated for motor vehicles.
�
Prohibit unsafe operation of an electric bicycle.
�
Prohibits
the removal of a manufacturer- or factory-installed speed limiting device from
an electric bicycle.
�
Requires the
department
of transportation to develop a traffic safety education program and a public
awareness campaign.
�
Appropriate funds.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.