Hawaii Island cyclists and state officials ride Highway 130 in support of bike safety: Big Island Now

On November 2, members of the cycling community joined a state representative on a group ride to advocate for safer bike routes on Hawaii Island.

The ride, organized by the nonprofit Hawaii Institute of Public Health, was intended to demonstrate that Highway 130, from Kiau to Pahoa, is regularly used by cyclists for recreation and commuting, despite safety concerns.

State Rep. Greggor Ilagan (District 4, Lower Puna) and 21 cyclists from across the island of Hawaii gathered at Herbert Shipman Park in Kiau to begin the nearly 22-mile round trip to Billy Kenoi Park in Pahoa.

Participants were reminded about bicycle safety by People for Active Transportation Hawaii representative Franz Weber, who is also a member of the Hawaii Bicycle Club.

Participants, who had a range of experience with the route, from those who had never driven the road to those who used it regularly, ventured outside under cloudy skies.

After a brief rest at Billy Kenoi Park, the group began a “road audit,” providing feedback on what they liked about the trail infrastructure and what they thought could be improved.

Many noted the need for better landscaping maintenance and consistent, clear signage. Others appreciated the visibility of road markings, saying it made them feel safer while driving.

Participants experienced more safety concerns when driving on the reverse side of the highway. They noted
more waste on the northern route compared to the southern route, most likely due to the proximity of the waste transfer station.

Also discussed were the recently installed delineators that were blocking the bike path in Paradise.
Road and shower lane, as well as a narrow cycle path around the roundabout.

Another challenge was having to turn left off the highway into Kiau. Instead of crossing two lanes of high-speed traffic to access the left turn lane, the group decided to use a crosswalk to navigate the road safely.