A 68-year-old bicyclist tragically lost his life after colliding head-on with a vehicle on Haleakala Highway in Kula, Hawaii. Police reported that the man was part of a group biking downhill when he crossed the double solid line and crashed into oncoming traffic. The incident occurred south of Mile Marker 6, with former Maui County councilmember Mike Molina highlighting the dangerous nature of the road, especially for inexperienced riders. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision, but unfortunately, it was not enough to save his life.
Efforts are being made to improve safety measures for cyclists on the highway, including e-bike regulations that limit group sizes and age requirements. While these measures have been somewhat effective, Molina believes that more action may be needed to prevent future tragedies. The Hawaii Bicycling League also emphasized the importance of staying cautious and aware of the risks associated with biking on challenging roads.
This incident marks Maui County’s 12th traffic fatality of 2024, compared to 16 at the same time in 2023. The last deadly bicycle accident on Haleakala Highway occurred in 2014, with two serious accidents involving tour participants in 2020 and 2021. The community is mourning the loss of the bicyclist and is working towards improving safety to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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Photo credit www.khon2.com