Big Island program links biking and bus riding
Jun 25, 2024
June’s Multimodal Movement segments take us to Hawai‘i Island where we highlight a unique collaboration between the County and a bikeshare program. It’s the only program in the State of Hawai‘i that incorporates biking and busing. It encourages multimodal transportation to fill the gap for the last-mile connection to one’s final destination.
Whether you live on Hawai‘i Island or visiting, take advantage of the HIBIKE and Hele-On partnership to get around. On the Hele-On bus, you’ll get a code from the bus driver for a free 30-minute HIBIKE ride. The code only lasts for 24 hours, so be sure to use it before it expires.
Here are some tips about the program:
- Check out heleonbus.hawaiicounty.gov for route information
- Check out hawaiiislandbike.com for kama‘aina rates
- For HIBIKE locations in Hilo and Kona, check out hawaiiislandbike.com/map/
These segments featuring HIBIKE and Hele-On are just several of many this year that will share information on joining the multimodal movement. These highlight the benefits of riding the bus, biking, and rail, among others.
Viewers will see how everyday multimodal transportation users go about their day without having to depend on driving a car, how making the choice is easy, and how it helps to reduce carbon emissions and traffic. The goal is to increase awareness of multimodal transportation choices and encourage residents to consider changing their routine and mindset about getting around.
Another significant benefit of not owning a car is saving money on gas and maintenance. In Hawai‘i, personal vehicles cost an average of $16,200 per household per year. Factoring in all public costs (state and county expenditures, social and economic trade-offs, and real estate value of land set aside for roadways and parking), the total comes to an estimated $40,600 per household per year.
Watch our two Multimodal Movement spots featuring the benefits of the HIBIKE and Hele-On program: Part 1 and Part 2.