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You are here:  Main / Customer Services / Public Communications Division / 2014 / 05/02/14 Bike Month highlights Mayor Caldwell's bicycling initiative

Friday, May 2, 2014 Contact: Jesse Broder Van Dyke, 768-6928   Bike Month highlights Mayor Caldwell's bicycling initiative       Honolulu – Mayor Kirk Caldwell has proclaimed May 2014 to be Bike Month in the City & County of Honolulu.  This year, Bike Month holds increased significance because Mayor Caldwell has made bicycling a major priority for the island.    Mayor Caldwell has proposed $1.4 million in the upcoming budget to improve biking infrastructure, most notably with a protected bike lane on South King Street, from the Alapai Transit Center to University Avenue.  Bike lanes or sharrows are being created on both sides of Waialae Avenue, from Saint Louis Drive to 17th Avenue, as Kaimuki's main thoroughfare is resurfaced.  Last weekend the Ala Wai Canal bicycle and walking path was reopened after being closed since 2006.    The city's first Fixit stand, which has an air pump, bike stand, and several tools for bike maintenance and minor repairs, was recently installed at the mauka entrance of the Fasi Municipal Building.   The city is embracing bicycling like never before and it's just the beginning.  Honolulu's new bike infrastructure will help accommodate the 1,700 bikes that will be available for use at 180 bikeshare stations in urban Honolulu by late 2015.  The city teamed up with the state, cycling advocates, local businesses, and community organizations to support Bikeshare Hawaii, a nonprofit formed to implement and operate the initiative.   As part of Bike Month festivities, the Hawaii Bicycling League is hosting a variety of events, including Bike to Work Day.  On May 16, Mayor Caldwell and thousands of people around Oahu will strap on their helmets and hit the streets as part of Bike to Work Day and on May 18, the city will sponsor its annual Bike to the Zoo Day.  A complete list of Bike Month activities can be found at www.hbl.org/biketowork.    -END-