Question: I read about the child who was hit by a car while riding a scooter in a crosswalk. Why are people allowed to ride bicycles and skateboards and the like in pedestrian crosswalks? To me this is very dangerous. Isn’t there a law that says people should walk their bikes or carry their skateboards while in a crosswalk?
Answer: There is no such law, said Teresa Bell, spokeswoman for the Honolulu Police Department.
“Skateboarders are treated like pedestrians,” she said. “They can cross the roadway from sidewalk to sidewalk where a pedestrian can do so safely and legally.”
However, regarding bicycles, “even though there is no law,” Bell said, if a bicyclist rides a bike while in a crosswalk, he/she is “technically in violation” of Section 291C-145 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, which says bicyclists should move in the same direction as traffic.
“The reason bicyclists should walk their bikes in crosswalks is that they are going across the lanes of travel,” she said.
“This issue has been discussed within the (city) Department of Transportation Services, and the general consensus is that the crosswalk is an extension of the sidewalk,” said DTS Director Michael Formby.
He cited Section 15-8.7 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, which requires bicyclists on sidewalks to yield the right of way to pedestrians and to give an audible signal before passing pedestrians.
“As an extension of the sidewalk, bicyclists should follow these same rules in crosswalks,” he said.
“Equally important,” Formby said, is Section 15-18.7 of the Revised Ordinances, which states that bicycle riding on sidewalks is prohibited within a business district.
“Therefore, it would be appropriate for bicyclists to dismount and walk their bicycles in crosswalks located in business districts,” he said. “As always, pedestrians and bicyclists should proceed cautiously in crosswalks, and in nonbusiness districts, bicyclists should proceed slowly so that motorists have an opportunity to see them and yield.”
He also reminded both pedestrians and bicyclists that no one should enter a crosswalk after the red countdown timer has started.
AUWE
To the man walking his beautiful dog on Keeaumoku Street. The dog was biting his leash, earnestly trying to tell you that you were holding his leash unreasonably short (less than a foot from his collar) so that he could not bend his head to look down, to smell anything or to even look around at anything. You were forcing that poor animal to always keep his head rigidly upright, only facing straight in front of him during your walk. Walks with one’s pet is supposed to be enjoyable for both dog and owner. Your dog was NOT enjoying the walk! — Animal Lover
It’s hard to really tell what the situation was without having actually witnessed it, said Jacque LeBlanc, spokeswoman for the Hawaiian Humane Society.
“The good news is that this owner is trying to master the dog walking, and if that means that eventually this dog will get out and about more and the dog and owner will bond, that is a silver lining,” she said.
In general, she said, teaching a dog how to walk properly on a leash takes patience and perseverance.
“Most important is to not give up because walks are essential to your dog’s well-being,” she said.
Some tips: Always talk to your dog while walking, keep the leash short and give treats while the dog is at your side. If the dog pulls, stop and wait for the dog to stop and look at you. Avoid distractions such as large crowds, busy streets and dog parks while working on this.
LeBlanc said training collars, which are sold at the Hawaiian Humane Society, also help.
———
Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
