HB 2179: DOE; E-Bikes; Educational Safety Program

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that electric bicycles have become widely available for personal transportation and are popular among citizens of all ages.  In March 2023, there were five thousand three hundred registered electric bicycles.  This figure is potentially higher, considering that many owners do not register their bikes, especially if they are purchased online.

     The legislature further finds that preliminary data from the department of transportation shows that from the start of 2025 till early September, there has been ninety-three traffic deaths statewide.  This is a stark difference compared to the sixty-six traffic fatalities that occurred at the same time last year.  Approximately ninety-one per cent of the deaths involved risky or negligent behavior such as speeding, failure to yield, improper pedestrian actions, and failing to use safety equipment such as seat belts and helmets.  Safety of Hawaii's roadways continues to be a persistent matter of public concern.  The legislature believes that, in the wake of a recent surge in ridership accidents, it is critical to address the unsafe operation of electric bicycles.

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Require, rather than authorize, the department of education to develop and administer a traffic safety education program; and

     (2)  Require the department of education's traffic safety education program to include electric bicycles.

     SECTION 2.  Section 302A-417, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§302A-417[]]  Traffic safety education.  (a)  The department [may] shall establish and administer a traffic safety education program to be conducted at each public school for students from grades kindergarten through twelve.  The program shall include but not be limited to general electric bicycle riding safety, rules of the road, and laws pertaining to electric bicycles.

     (b)  The department may establish the requirements for the position of traffic safety education specialist and may employ at least one traffic safety education specialist for the purposes of this section.  The traffic safety education specialist may be paid out of fees allocated to the director of commerce and consumer affairs from the special drivers education fund account pursuant to section 431:10C-115."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

DOE; E-Bikes; Educational Safety Program

Description:

Requires, rather than authorizes, the Department of Education to develop and administer a Traffic Safety Education Program.  Requires the Department of Education's Traffic Safety Education program to include electric bicycles.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD2)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that electric bicycles have become widely available for personal transportation and are popular among citizens of all ages.  In March 2023, there were five thousand three hundred registered electric bicycles.  This figure is potentially higher, considering that many owners do not register their bikes, especially if they are purchased online.

     The legislature further finds that preliminary data from the department of transportation shows that from the start of 2025 till early September, there has been ninety-three traffic deaths statewide.  This is a stark difference compared to the sixty-six traffic fatalities that occurred at the same time last year.  Approximately ninety-one per cent of the deaths involved risky or negligent behavior such as speeding, failure to yield, improper pedestrian actions, and failing to use safety equipment such as seat belts and helmets.  Safety of Hawaii’s roadways continues to be a persistent matter of public concern.  The legislature believes that, in the wake of a recent surge in ridership accidents, it is critical to address the unsafe operation of electric bicycles.

     The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Require, rather than just authorize, the department of education to develop and administer a traffic safety education program; and

     (2)  Require the department of education's traffic safety education program to include electric bicycles.

     SECTION 2.  Section 302A-417, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§302A-417[]]  Traffic safety education.  (a)  The department [may] shall establish and administer a traffic safety education program to be conducted at each public school for students from grades kindergarten through twelve.  The program shall include, but not be limited to, general electric bicycle riding safety, rules of the road, and laws pertaining to electric bicycles.

     (b)  The department may establish the requirements for the position of traffic safety education specialist and may employ at least one traffic safety education specialist for the purposes of this section.  The traffic safety education specialist may be paid out of fees allocated to the director of commerce and consumer affairs from the special drivers education fund account pursuant to section 431:10C-115."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

DOE; E-Bikes; Educational Safety Program

Description:

Requires, rather than authorizes, the Department of Education to develop and administer a Traffic Safety Program.  Requires the Department of Education's Traffic Safety Education program to include electric bicycles.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

rELATING TO tRANSPORTATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1.  Electric bicycles have become widely available for personal transportation and are popular among citizens of all ages.  In March 2023, there were five thousand three hundred registered electric bicycles.  This figure is potentially higher considering that many owners do not register their bikes, especially if they are purchased online.

Preliminary data from Hawaii's Department of Transportation showed that from the start of 2025 till early September, there had been ninety-three traffic deaths statewide.  This is a stark difference compared to the sixty-six traffic fatalities that occurred at the same time last year.  Approximately ninety-one per cent of the deaths involved risky or negligent behavior such as speeding, failure to yield, improper pedestrian actions, and failing to use safety equipment such as seat belts and helmets.  Safety of Hawaii’s roadways continues to be a persistent matter of public concern.  The legislature finds, in the wake of a recent surge in ridership accidents, it is critical to address the unsafe operation of electric bicycles. 

The purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Require the Department of Education develop and administer a traffic safety education program; and

     (2)  Amend the Department of Education's traffic safety education program to include electric bicycles.

     SECTION 2.  Section 302A-417, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§302A-417[]]  Traffic safety education.  (a)  The department [may] shall establish and administer a traffic safety education program to be conducted at each public school for students from grades kindergarten through twelve.  The program shall include, but not be limited to, general electric bicycle riding safety, rules of the road, and laws pertaining to electric bicycles.

     (b)  The department may establish the requirements for the position of traffic safety education specialist and may employ at least one traffic safety education specialist for the purposes of this section.  The traffic safety education specialist may be paid out of fees allocated to the director of commerce and consumer affairs from the special drivers education fund account pursuant to section 431:10C-115."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

Report Title:

E-Bikes; DOE; Educational Safety Program

Description:

Requires the Department of Education to develop and administer a Traffic Safety Program.  Expands the Department of Education's Traffic Safety Education program to include electric bicycles.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  549-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 2179

      H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2179, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Require, rather than authorize, the Department of Education to develop and administer a Traffic Safety Education Program; and

     (2)  Require the Traffic Safety Education Program to include electric bicycles.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Bicycling League; Hawaii Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians; Kauai Path, Inc.; and numerous individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and Department of Health.

     Your Committee finds that electric bicycles have become an increasingly popular mode of transportation across the State, yet their rapid growth in use has coincided with heightened concerns about roadway safety.  As more students and families rely on electric bicycles for transportation, ensuring that young riders understand the rules of the road and safe riding practices is critical to reducing accidents and preventing injuries.  This measure strengthens traffic safety efforts by requiring the Department of Education to establish and administer a Traffic Safety Education Program in all public schools and to include instruction on electric bicycle safety, promoting responsible ridership and safer roadways statewide.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     Your Committee notes the concerns raised by the Hawaiʻi Bicycling League regarding the absence of curricula, staff, and resources within the Department of Education to provide traffic safety education and their suggestion to allow the Department to consult with an expert bicycle education provider.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2179, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2179, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  71-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 2179

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2179 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Require, rather than authorize, the Department of Education to develop and administer a Traffic Safety Education Program; and

     (2)  Require the Traffic Safety Education Program to include electric bicycles.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Hawaiʻi Bicycling League; and two individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

     Your Committee finds that the increasing popularity of electric bicycles in Hawaii has led to a rise in safety concerns, including a significant number of accidents and fatalities involving cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists.  Your Committee further finds that requiring the Department of Education's Traffic Safety Education Program to include education on electric bicycle riding safety will promote safe riding practices and compliance with traffic laws.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2179, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2179, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Transportation.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,