During a recent government meeting, representatives from Hilo Bayfront Trails and the Westside Organization Path voiced strong opposition to a proposed bill perceived as anti-bicycle and pedestrian. The speaker highlighted several key points to support their stance, emphasizing the lack of commercial bike tours on Kohala Mountain Road and the limited availability of bike tours across the Big Island.

According to the testimony, a thorough investigation revealed that only one company operates bike tours on public roads, specifically on the old Mamelahoa Highway in Ahualoa. This route is characterized as low-traffic, with no recorded accidents involving cyclists. The speaker argued that the bill unfairly targets groups of cyclists, suggesting that such groups actually enhance safety by acting as a deterrent to vehicles.

The testimony also referenced a specific incident involving a cyclist, asserting that the proposed legislation sends a negative message to drivers about how to treat cyclists and pedestrians. The speaker concluded by urging lawmakers to reject the bill without further amendments, citing a lack of evidence for accidents involving groups of riders on the island. The discussion reflects ongoing tensions between cycling advocates and legislative measures perceived to undermine pedestrian and cyclist safety.