THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

53

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE RESOLUTION

 

URGING THE STATE AND COUNTIES TO RECOGNIZE WALKING AND BICYCLING AS FUNDAMENTAL MEANS OF RECREATION AND TRANSPORTATION IN hAWAII.

 

WHEREAS, the American Medical Association has reported that sixty percent of Americans lead completely sedentary lifestyles and forty percent are clinically overweight; and

WHEREAS, research conducted in 1999 by the Centers for Disease Control linked obesity and overweight to heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions; and

WHEREAS, the research found that one reason for Americans' sedentary lifestyle is that automobile travel has replaced walking and bicycling for all but the shortest distances; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that about forty percent of all trips are shorter than two miles which is about a ten minute bicycle ride or a thirty minute walk; and

WHEREAS, the benefits of walking and bicycling are numerous and far-reaching; and

WHEREAS, increased physical activity reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and other chronic diseases, and the physical activity need not be unduly strenuous for an individual to reap health benefits as a person's health can be significantly improved by thirty minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week; and

WHEREAS, walking and bicycling reduce vehicular traffic congestion and related air and noise pollution which in turn helps decrease respiratory ailments, prevent global warming, preserve habitat and open space, and decrease dependence on foreign oil; and

WHEREAS, more and more communities are considering walking and bicycling to be indicators of a communities livability, a factor that has a profound impact on attracting businesses and workers as well as tourism; and

WHEREAS, in communities where people regularly walk and bicycle, there is a palpable sense that these are safe and friendly places to live and visit; and

WHEREAS, the State and counties should strive for bicycle friendly and walkable communities that promote active living because bicycling and walking are an economical, environmentally friendly, and healthy means of transportation, and are solutions to traffic congestion; and

WHEREAS, the State and counties should recognize walking and bicycling as fundamental means of recreation and transportation in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, the State and counties should plan, design, and construct all new streets and highways to serve bicyclist and pedestrians, in addition to motor vehicles; and

WHEREAS, the State and counties should develop public transit and places to bicycle and walk to provide people with realistic, safe alternatives to traveling in private motor vehicles; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, that the State and counties are urged to recognize walking and bicycling as fundamental means of recreation and transportation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State and counties are encouraged to develop public transit and places to bicycle and walk to provide people with realistic, safe alternatives to traveling in private motor vehicle; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State and counties are encouraged to plan, design, and construct all new streets and highways to serve bicyclist and pedestrians, in addition to motor vehicles; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Transportation, the Director of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, the Director of Health, the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Director of Public Safety, and the Mayor and Council Chair of each county.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Walking and Bicycling