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re: revenue
August 05, 2008 | 02:05 AM

Mr. Webb - With due respect, both of your comments are 100% contrary to the facts. (1) The Makawao Biz Assoc is one of the strongest political forces AGAINST the downhills. The tours clog up traffic on Baldwin Ave all day, to the point where customers can't get in there to purchase goods at the stores. Makawao has terrible traffic problems anyway, consequently, the businesses do not want the tours there. (2) The tours average < 15 mph. The speed limit varies between 25 and 40 on that route. Furthermore, the law states clearly that bikes must stay as far over to the right as possible and allow traffic to pass, whereas the written instructions many of the tour cos give their riders instructs them to ride right smack in the middle of the traffic lane at all times. Then there's the matter of the vans blocking traffic, sometimes being used as offensive weapons due to poor training, lack of certification, and lack of drug / alcohol testing of the drivers.

I'm sure we'd all enjoy a scenic stroll down the middle of Baldwin Ave, from Makawao to Paia, while somebody drives behind in a van at walking speed, blocking traffic. But that's against the law. The "main issue", as you put it, is the vans and the riders do not obey laws already on the books, and the MPD does not adequately enforce them.

TMSTMS