scooter/moped question

[Jay Bondesen]

I think that the law changed a bit last year to limit scooter size as far as licenses are concerned. I forget the number but at some size more requirements kick in. Someone decided if they can go over 35-40 MPH they needed more regulation.

Jay

[missydog1]

I would not suggest going past Hilo and doing Hamakua Coast on one. I don't see that mentioned, so might not even be a question.

That highway moves a lot of traffic. People expect others to do the speed limit. There are many places with no shoulder whatsoever. I've never seen a moped doing it. Very occasionally there are bicyclists and it's really annoying.

That may sound lacking in aloha, but people have deadlines. Say I go over there for a doctor's appointment and get stuck behind a moped. I am late, they cancel an appointment I made two months ago and waited for, and they charge me a boatload of money. There are all kinds of consequences you can cause by slowing people down.

Personally I don't think it is OK to ride on a two-lane highway at sub-highway speeds if there is no shoulder. People will risk lives in order to pass you. Bad scene.

The way the pickup trucks drive Hwy 11 between Hilo and Kea'au is very aggressive. They scare me a little with the pushy way that they drive that road. I try to do the speed limit and not get a ticket, but they will about run me down, and I have a car that will go fast ... (but like I said I prefer not to get points and get my insurance raised).

Cannot imagine riding a moped along that stretch.

[Guest]

kathy is absolutely correct. If no shoulder, no moped. And I do believe the limit is 35 mph for no license or annual registration.

[Guest]

Makua said:
Posted - 01/16/2011 : 08:30:28
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Hey Lack, Could YOU repeat that please. All I hear when you talk is blah, blah, blah

Buddy the only hurmus bone you have is in your leg. You must be a bucket of fun to hang out with.

The Lack

The Lack Toons

[Guest]

Sorry man, I didn't quite get that.

[EightFingers]

Had a blast riding a scooter on Molokai, I'd be too scared to ride one in Puna with all the traffic, getting caught in the rain or hit by a flying coconut on Kama'ili road......

[Guest]

I enjoy riding one around the village or to nearby subdivisions. I see plenty on the shoulder of the highway especially between Volcano and Kulani Rd. Never see anyone wearing a helmet though. Still rather ride my bike but they are very fun.

[missydog1]

I've ridden scooters in places with low traffic, and it's great where scooters are the norm. People here don't seem very aware of who else is on the road.

My husband came within an inch of losing his leg riding a bike (a full bike) in street traffic, when some lady stopped without warning. So that is the other side of riding them. When I say within an inch of losing his leg, I mean that they had already told him, we have to amputate, and he'd signed the papers, when a relative showed up with the best surgeon in the state, who saved it. Point being, you don't have to be going fast to have a major injury accident. (As a rider, I'm sure you know that.)

I would have to disagree with "people should be encouraged." Saving gas mileage isn't worth life and limb. We have no trauma center on this island, so people who get badly hurt have to hang in there until they can get to Oahu ... not always fast enough to help.

I really have very little faith in the competence of many drivers here, plus the tourists aren't looking where they're going half the time.

[Rob Tucker]

I harbor hopes that someday when a Puna Makai Alternate Route (PMAR) is built that it will include dedicated. separated bike lands. I used these in Europe forty years ago and it would be a real bonus for Puna someday.

[Guest]

Kathy - most of my bike riding is in the village and the park. We are lucky enough in the village to have a self regulating population when it comes to driving. Even the tourists seem to follow the posted speeds. Plus, there is very little traffic compared to other places. The park is a different story. The trails are fine, of course, but they do speed relentlessly on the roads. I've never come close to any kind of problem. I hope your husband is okay. I have used Hilo Hospital in the past for trauma and actually had a great experience although I know that's not the norm.