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Committee postpones proposed wheelie ban; members and counsel ask for legal review and definition alignment with e‑bike measure
Summary
The committee postponed Bill 61 (prohibiting wheelies on motorized two‑wheel devices) to allow legal review and to consider aligning definitions with the amended electric‑bicycle ordinance; HPD said a narrowly written wheelie offense would be easier to enforce.
The Committee on Planning, Infrastructure and Transportation on Thursday postponed consideration of Bill 61 (prohibiting wheelies and exhibition riding on motorized two‑wheel devices) so staff, Corporation Counsel and Office of Council Services can review legal authority and align definitions with Bill 52.
Background: Bill 61 would prohibit exhibition riding and wheelies on public streets, trails and sidewalks. Committee discussion focused on whether the city can lawfully regulate certain motorized devices that may fall outside state vehicle definitions and whether local rules would be preempted by the state traffic code. Deputy Corporation Counsel Brian Anchetta told the committee he would prepare a memo outlining legal concerns and options.
Enforcement perspective: Honolulu Police Department traffic staff told the committee that narrower, observable offenses (for example, prohibiting standing on a moving device or raising a wheel) provide clearer, more easily enforceable grounds for citations than relying on generalized reckless‑driving statutes. "If we outlaw wheelies on e‑bikes, lifting a pedal up, that's something we can automatically address," Lieutenant Blake Garrido said.
Committee action: the chair recommended postponing Bill 61 to a future date and time as determined by the chair; the committee agreed and postponed the bill. The transcript records that committee members want OCS and Corporation Counsel to analyze preemption and penalty‑scheme issues and to consider adopting language consistent with Bill 52’s approach to "bicycles equipped with motors."
