With one week to go before the official unveiling of the new King Street Cycle Track, drivers and cyclists are hoping for the best but bracing for a potentially painful period of adjustment.
The dedicated cycling lane, which extends 2 miles along the left side of King Street between Alapai and Isenberg streets, will open Dec. 6 with a celebratory event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Thomas Square Park. The event will include a grand-opening bicycle ride led by Mayor Kirk Caldwell at 1 p.m.
The lane was installed at a cost of less than $100,000 and is part of a two-year pilot program to test its effectiveness in creating a safer riding experience and promoting more widespread bicycle use.
The protected lane is modeled after cycle tracks popular in European cities and adopted by some 55 cities in 24 states.
Unlike a traditional bike lane, the track is set apart from other lanes of traffic by on-street parking, a painted curb or both. Caution zones marked with green paint indicate intersections, driveways and other areas where vehicular traffic may cross.
The track, which is off-limits to pedestrians and mopeds, will open as a one-way lane eastbound but eventually will be converted for two-way traffic.
While city officials and the Hawaii Bicycling League have expressed optimism that the new lane will help make Honolulu a more bike-friendly city, some who frequent the area are concerned about lingering safety issues.
"I think (the cycle track) is safe for bikes but not for cars," said cyclist James Palmer, 63, of Pauoa.
Palmer pointed to the end of Kealamakai Street, where cars turning left onto South King Street would need to drive almost perpendicular to the opposing sidewalk to access parking across the street. Left-turning vehicles would also face a dangerous situation if they entered the nearest turning lane at the wrong time.
"If they turn and there’s a parked car in the lane, they’d be forced to merge one lane over to the right with the oncoming traffic," Palmer said. "It’s not safe."
On Monday the city opened on-street parking adjacent to the cycle track in marked stalls along Alapai and Pensacola streets. The metered stalls are closed during the 3:30-6:30 p.m. weekday rush hour.
Merchants along King Street have expressed concern over the changes. Some have already experienced a drop-off in business due to construction and confusion.
"If 100 customers come in here, all 100 will complain," said Cal’s Cleaners employee Le Moon.
Moon said customers have complained about being unable to see oncoming traffic clearly as they pull past the cycle track. Others are concerned about crossing the track to pay the parking meters.
"Everyone is confused about where they can park," Moon said. "People go in and out, in and out, and now they don’t know where to go. It’s confusing and it’s dangerous."
In a continued effort to prepare commuters for the introduction of the new lane, Hawaii Bicycling League is offering cycle track classes for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists over the coming weeks.
» Cycle Track Basics by Foot: 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at South King and Keeaumoku streets.
» Cycle Track Basics and Cycling Skills 101: 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Bike Shop (1149 S. King St.) and 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 13 in front of the Fasi Municipal Building.
