Question: I tried to get on the bus with my bike, and the driver said it wouldn’t fit, even though there was only one other bike in the rack. … He wouldn’t let me bring it inside the bus either. I didn’t want to argue and slow down the other passengers, but how could he be so sure that it wouldn’t fit. What are the rules?
Answer: Only single-seat, two-wheeled bikes of standard size that conform to the bike-rack specifications of the particular bus are allowed, according to the detailed “How to Use the Bike Rack” guide at thebus.org.
Each bus in Oahu’s fleet is equipped with either a two- or three-capacity bike rack. The three main things to know to figure out whether your bike will fit are its tire width, wheel base and wheel diameter, according to the guide.
Its guide’s simple instructions, which you can find at 808ne.ws/1NyIT2a, show you how to determine those measurements. Acceptable sizes vary depending on the type of rack, and range from 2.35 to 3 inches for the maximum tire width, 44 to 46 inches for the maximum wheel base and 16 to 29 inches for the wheel diameter.
There’s a long list of bike types that aren’t allowed, including custom ones with oversized wheels; bikes with child seats, saddle bags or accessories that block the bus driver’s vision; or those with headlights or large handlebars that touch the bus windshield or interfere with the wiper blades.
You did not describe your bike, but if it contained any of those features — or others listed on the website as not allowed — an experienced driver would know at a glance that the bike wouldn’t fit.
As for bringing your bike inside the bus: That’s not allowed, unless the bike is collapsible and can be folded up on your lap or placed under a seat without interfering with other passengers, according to the guide.
Q: Are there age limits to serve on a neighborhood board?
A: There’s a minimum age requirement — 18 — but no maximum that we could find on the city’s website for the Neighborhood Commission Office. “A board member need only be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the neighborhood,” according to the website.
Q: What’s that site where you can see how long the line is to get your driver’s license?
A: Go to www3.honolulu.gov/csddlline to view Oahu’s driver’s license location service lines. Waianae’s camera was unavailable the day we checked, but the cameras at the City Square, Kapolei, Koolau and Wahiawa offices were operable. According to the site, which is managed by the city government, driver’s licenses offices are typically busiest when schools are not in session, during the summer, fall, winter and spring breaks. The other busiest times are when the office first opens in the morning and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., when working people are trying to complete the task during their lunch breaks.
‘Going Green’ in Ewa Beach
The latest “Going Green” event is scheduled for Saturday at Campbell High School, 91-980 North Road in Ewa Beach. The public is welcome to the one-stop, drop-off recycling and donation event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students, faculty and other volunteers from the high school will greet donors and recyclers and help unload their cars.
Items to be collected include scrap metal, computers, monitors, printers, scanners and one TV per car. Also included: HI-5 beverage containers, used household cooking oil, cellphones, printer cartridges, all kinds of batteries, usable clothing, used eyeglasses and hearing aids, towels, blankets, prom dresses, women’s business suits and canned goods for the Hawaii Foodbank.
Bring incandescent light bulbs and you can swap them for more energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, up to a maximum of four.
Have an unwanted car you’d like to be rid of? Call 291-6151 and arrange to have it towed away for free.
Items that won’t be accepted at the event: paint, tires, motor oil, hazardous fluids, cardboard, paper, plastics (other than HI-5 recyclables), wood or bulky items.
For more information, call Rene Mansho at 291-6151 or email her at renemansho@hawaii.rr.com.
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.
