On a Bicycle
HRS 291C-43 — three feet to pass a bicyclist, and a helmet for every rider under eighteen
A person riding a bicycle on a roadway has all the rights and all the duties of the driver of a vehicle under the traffic code, except where the bicycle rules say otherwise or a rule cannot apply by its nature.
Who handles this in Hawaii: Hawaii State Bar Association, Lawyer Referral and Information Service; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Hawaii directory.
- A rider going slower than traffic keeps as near the right-hand curb, edge or shoulder as practicable, except to turn left, to avoid hazards or a lane too narrow to share, or on a one-way road of two or more lanes, where the left side is allowed.
- Where a usable bicycle lane exists, a slower rider uses it, except to pass, to turn left, or to avoid debris or other hazards.
- Riders go single file on the roadway, and may ride two abreast in a bike lane or path wide enough where traffic is not impeded.
- A bicycle carries no more people than it is designed for, and a rider sits on a permanent seat.
A driver passing a bicyclist going the same way leaves at least three feet between the right side of the vehicle, mirrors included, and the left side of the bicyclist, and does not move back right until safely clear.
No one under eighteen rides a bicycle on a street, bikeway or other public property without a properly fitted and fastened helmet, and that includes a child in a bike seat or a towed trailer. A rental shop does not rent to anyone under eighteen without one. The fine is up to $25, and a parent or guardian is liable for a minor's fine.
Sources for this section (5)
- HRS 291C-142 — Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles
- HRS 291C-145 — Riding on roadways and bikeways
- HRS 291C-150 — Bicycle helmets
- HRS 291C-43 — Overtaking a vehicle or bicycle on the left
- HRS 291C-143 — Riding on bicycles
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Hawaii attorney.