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Question: Every morning I drive down Kainalu Avenue in Kailua, past the intersection by the fire station/police complex, past Kailua Intermediate School and on into Enchanted Lake. Elementary and middle school students I see riding bikes without helmets far outnumber those who wear helmets. It is frighteningly common to see students riding and talking or texting on their cellphones. I am shocked that Kailua police are not out stopping these keiki, confiscating their bikes and notifying and fining parents. The mix of cars and kids on bikes is a potentially lethal one. The fact that this is occurring within sight of the police station and the surrounding area is appalling. What can be done to avoid a tragedy?
Answer: Children not wearing helmets while riding bicycles is "a constant and ongoing problem," said Mick Wong, program manager of the Hawaii Bicycling League’s BikeEd Hawaii program.
BikeEd, funded by the city, teaches fourth-graders in public schools bicycle safety and basic skills. That includes the proper and required use of helmets for anyone younger than 16.
Despite BikeEd’s efforts, "If we’re the sole source of (bicycle) education, then we’ve failed," Wong said. But he also believes ultimate responsibility rests with parents: "I think that’s where it has to start."
The Honolulu Police Department did not have much to say about enforcement.
District 4 (Kaneohe/Kailua/Kahuku) officers "will be contacting nearby schools to remind them of the helmet law," HPD spokeswoman Michelle Yu said in response to your criticism.
Previously, after it was reported that HPD had issued only two bike helmet citations in 2012, Yu told KITV, "While officers have the discretion to warn or cite, our main concern is the children’s safety."
Since 2000, when the bike helmet law was passed, through Nov. 10, police have issued 114 citations statewide, according to statistics provided by the Hawaii State Judiciary.
More than half — 62 — were issued in Maui County, followed by Oahu, 36; Kauai, 12; and Hawaii island, four.
On Oahu the number of citations issued ranged from a high of six in 2004 to none in 2008. So far this year, two citations have been issued.
Under Section 291C-150 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, anyone under 16 is required to wear "a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet" while riding a bicycle on any public street, bikeway or property, or who is riding in a restraining seat attached to the bike or in a trailer towed by the bike.
The parent or guardian of the child faces a maximum fine of $25.
The city Department of Transportation Services administers funding for the BikeEd program, which amounts to $215,000 a year. The program has been offered for 25 years.
Wong says the program can’t go into every elementary school on Oahu, but still manages to reach 8,000 to 9,000 students every year.
"We tell them, ‘You should be wearing a helmet when you ride a bike, when you ride your skateboard, when you ride your scooter,’" he said. "And they listen to us," noting parents will tell them afterward how they’ve changed their child’s attitude about bike safety.
Each class is five days long, with 45 minutes of instruction each day.
"We go over basic safety rules, proper attire, wearing a helmet, wearing covered shoes," Wong said. "Then we teach them how to check the bike to make sure the bike is safe" — checking the handlebars, seat, chain, pedals and tires.
Students who are able to ride a bike well are taken out on public streets to put their newfound knowledge to real-life use.
Wong said the bicycling league, to promote helmet wearing, also sells helmets to students for $15.
Auwe
To irresponsible dog owners. We are tired of picking up your dog’s poop in our yard and stepping in it. You let your dog run wild in the neighborhood. Be more responsible! — Disgusted
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