Illegally parked vehicles on Kuakini Highway cause ‘hazard’ for bicyclists

It seems bicyclists are getting unwelcomed company in the new bike lanes on Kuakini Highway.

Several concerned citizens say cyclists’ rides are anything but smooth because the new designated bike lanes, between Palani Road and Kaiwi Street, are not being kept clear. Some motorists are continuing to illegally park on the mauka shoulder of the highway, sandwiching cyclists in the bike lane between parked vehicles and traffic flowing northbound. Such motorists are choosing to ignore the “No Parking” signs placed along that portion of the highway.

Concerns shared with West Hawaii Today included parked vehicles sticking out into the bike lanes; motorists holding up traffic while parking or looking for open spots; motorists pulling unexpectedly in front of cyclists in the bike lanes while getting in or out of their illegal parking spots; and the unexpected opening of parked-vehicle doors in bike lanes, which can hit cyclists.

The issue is not with the bike lanes, which were repeatedly described as a welcome addition and being used appropriately. Instead, it’s the constant occurrence of illegally parked cars, the callers say.

Inquiries by West Hawaii Today on Wednesday prompted the Hawaii Police Department and Ironman World Championship organizers to issue advisories, reminding the public that parking is not allowed at any time on the mauka side of Kuakini Highway north of Palani Road, between Ilima Court and Kona Brewing Co. In doing so, it’s “a hazard to bicyclists using the adjacent bike lane,” the police department’s media release stated.

According to the Ironman Public Safety message, event parking is available off Kuakini Highway at the Big Island Honda Kona gravel lot, as well as at public parking lots at Old Kona Airport Park, Kekuaokalani Gym, and Likana Lane.

Wednesday morning, Kona Patrol Capt. Randal Ishii said police officers made a check of the area and found numerous parked cars in violation. The police department will be monitoring the area, informing noncompliant motorists that their vehicles are in violation and issuing citations.

Hawaii Island police also cautioned the public to be aware of athletes running and biking along West Hawaii roads, especially between Hawi and Kailua-Kona. These athletes are training for Saturday’s Ironman World Championship.

Tina Clothier, executive director for Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii, understands the concerns expressed to West Hawaii Today.

“Motorists are not allowed to park in the designated bike lane and parking in the mauka side of the bike lane is equally unsafe as it does not allow enough room — up to 5 feet — for the motorists to open their driver’s side doors as the cyclists are coming up alongside them,” she said. “As for the cyclists, they must obey all traffic laws when in the bike lane and any time they’re using the road. They need to obey all traffic signs and signals, including yielding to pedestrians in a crosswalk. They must also be on the right-hand side of the road, meaning ride with traffic, not against traffic.”

Part of the problem, Clothier said, is for years people have fallen into the habit of illegally parking in that area, especially during big events including canoe races and Ironman activities. Still, just because it happens and is consistently ignored, doesn’t mean it’s right. “It’s illegal and no one should be parking there,” she said.

Clothier applauded those concerned for being hyper-aware of the bike lane and caring for those using it. She stressed cyclists can be severely injured by getting “doored” — crashing into parked-vehicle doors suddenly opened in their path.

Kona Traffic Safety Committee chairman Ken Obenski advised cyclists in the area to exercise a great deal of “extra caution” to protect themselves, saying, “In encounters between bikes and cars, the bikes always lose.” He also stressed that there aren’t enough police officers to make sure vehicles stay in their lanes and train motorists to look for or consider the needs of bicyclists all the time.

Obenski said the lack of free parking in Kailua Village is a perpetual problem. While Obenski doesn’t have much contact with the affected area, he thinks people are likely parking there because of this issue and because of its proximity to where they want to go. Nevertheless, he said, if there are “No Parking” signs in the area, then ticketing should occur.

With every problem, Obenski added, there’s a simple solution. He suggested people park their vehicles at the nearby Old Kona Airport Park, which has plenty of space and is not that much farther. However, he doesn’t see this solution as being very successful without a shuttle.

Obenski encouraged people to share their concerns and solutions with the Kona Traffic Safety Committee, which meets at 5 p.m. Thursday in the Planning conference room on the second floor of the West Hawaii Civic Center in Kailua-Kona.