Maui Bicycling League Aims to Create Safe Places to Ride and Walk

(Left to right) Lee Chamberlain, a partner of Pedego Electric Bike Maui and Maui Biking League’s steering committee, Mayor Alan Arakawa and Bill Frampton of Frampton & Ward LLC. Courtesy photo.

By Maui Now Staff

Maui now has a voice for cyclists and pedestrians seeking a safe and fun place to bike and walk. The Maui Bicycling League, a nonprofit Maui chapter of the Hawai‘i Bicycling League, officially formed on Dec. 19, 2014, will spearhead efforts to put more bike lanes on Maui roads.

“Maui has the perfect year-round climate for bicycling–but our island offers very few safe places for children or adults to ride,” said Saman Dias, one of the group’s organizers. “We heard from many people who said that they would ride more often but feel they would be putting themselves in danger by riding on our roads.”

Dias helped to rally the MBL, a group of cycling enthusiasts, recreational riders, parents, triathletes, and others, all seeking to improve community infrastructure for bikers and walkers alike. The group is continuing years of advocacy work done by local activist Walter Enomoto.

As a result of MBL-led petitions and public testimony recently presented to county council members, the Central Maui Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan was unanimously passed.

The next hurdle in the effort will be peddling the plan from paper to pavement. A Maui public works official said the solution to this challenge lies in strong community support for the effort.

The Maui Bicycling League urges interested parties to show their support by becoming a member of the organization. The membership fee is $35 for adults; $25 for seniors, students, or military. Member fees will support the establishment of safe paths, trails, and lanes for cyclists and pedestrians on Maui.

To become a member, and to learn more about the organization and its mission, visit the MBA online at http://hbl.org/maui.

The Maui Bicycling League was a hit at the West Maui Taxpayers Association’s annual meeting on Jan 8. Mayor Alan Arakawa, Councilmembers Don Couch and Elle Cochran, Sen. Roz Baker, and Rep. Angus McKelvey were very interested and excited to learn about the new Maui Bicycling League chapter: http://youtu.be/pJOqR33QJJ0.

Rep. Angus McKelvey, Councilmember Elle Cochran, Maui Bicycling League co-chair Cecilia Potts and MBL member Kevin Wuertz. Courtesy photo.

MBL steering committee member Lee Chamberlain and Sen. Roz Baker. Courtesy photo.

Maui Bicycling League Treasurer Dan Rezac, MBL member Kevin Wuertz, and co-chair Cecilia Potts. Courtesy photo.