3/29/26 HBL Action Alert 

CALLS & TESTIMONY NEEDED TODAY!

March 29, 2026

Aloha Hawai‘i Bicycling League Advocates,

In this Action Alert you will learn:

• • About a new and unnecessary bill amendment that could OUTLAW e-bikes on public school campuses across Hawai'i
  • Why HBL is OPPOSING this amendment before it is enacted in statute
  • How you can support responsible e-bike legislation today with a phone call, e-mail and/or online testimony

🚨 New Amendment Could Outlaw Responsible E-Bike Use 🚨 

HB2021 is a much-needed fix to the e-bike bill vetoed by Governor Green in 2025. This year, it passed two House committee hearings and crossed over to the Senate, where it was heard in a joint Senate committee on March 17th, and was “adopted with amendments.”

One of these amendments (#3 from SCR 3130) calls for "Inserting language prohibiting electric bicycles on elementary and middle or intermediate school campuses." This was requested by the Department of Education and based on guidance they issued in November. This reactionary rule is not based on data, has not been vetted by the public, nor demonstrated any efficacy in advancing traffic safety. It is far more restrictive than necessary and should not become part of model legislation.

As written, this amendment would OUTLAW: 

• • Teachers and school staff getting to work via e-bike
  • Parents transporting students to school on an e-cargo bike
  • Students responsibly riding e-bikes to and from school, as otherwise allowed based on updated age restrictions provided in the bill
  • Members of the public attending a neighborhood board meeting and traveling via e-bike

🚨 E-Bikes Are Not More Dangerous Than Cars 🚨

HBL is ready to work with DOE to develop sound policy related to e-bikes. In fact, we have been working on elementary school campuses for more than 35 years, providing in-school and on-bike safety and skills training. We want a future where everyone can choose a transportation solution that is best for them and their families. A one-size fits all ban for e-bikes is not good for household budgets, does not help address climate goals, and is not a way to solve a traffic safety crisis. 

Read HBL's testimony for more information.

🚨 Help Amplify This Message 🚨

The bill is scheduled for a public decision-making hearing on Tuesday, April 1st at 10:30am. Please call and email Committee Chair Senator Karl Rhoads, Vice-Chair Senator Mike Gabbard and members of the Judiciary Committee, especially if they are your senator. Let them know that:

• • An e-bike ban on school campuses should not be written into law
  • Recommendation is to revert to language used in HD2 version of the bill

Submit your own written testimony at the link. You will need to sign in and select HB2021. The version being considered is HB2021, HD2, SD1. This is a decision-making only hearing. No in-person or Zoom testimony will be considered. 

Please reply if you have questions about any of the items mentioned in this advocacy alert email.

Ride Aloha,

Eduardo Hernandez, Advocacy Director

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Hawai‘i Bicycling League (HBL) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1975 with the mission to enable more people to ride bicycles for health, recreation, and transportation through advocacy, education, and events.