Kea’au to Hilo
360 feet to sea level feet, 7.6 Miles
It is a little less than 8 miles into Hilo along Highway 11 where shoulders are wide but traffic is fast moving and sporadic. You can reach Highway 11 by either turning left at the traffic light In Kea’au or by going straight and using the merge lane. Exercise extreme caution at the traffic light controlled intersections connecting Highway 130 where there are turnout lanes and fast moving motor vehicle traffic. Obey the traffic signals. Traffic is heaviest at regular commuter hours. You will be moving downhill at about a 1 % grade.
As you enter Hilo you will encounter more and more traffic signals and there are well defined bike lane markings at all but a few. A particularly tricky turnout lane is located at the approach to the Hilo International Airport and is dangerous to cyclists because it slopes severely toward the curb where riders would normally ride. Once you are through that intersection and its accompanying acceleration lane the shoulder is wide to the intersection of Highway 11, 19, 137 and Banyan Drive.
If you turn right on 137 (Kalaniana’ole Avenue) it is a dead end but leads to several beautiful swimming and beach areas. If you turn left you will continue with traffic on Highway 19 or Kamehameha Avenue and into Hilo Proper.
Watch where the shoulder disappears and forces you into traffic just prior to the Wailoa Bridge. A recommendation is to go straight down Banyan Drive past Reed’s Bay and the large hotels and through Lili’uokalani Park to avoid fast moving traffic and for much better scenery. It connects with Highway 11 again at the Wailoa Bridge.
Hilo is a beautiful town with many things to experience as any good travel guide will point out. If it is a Saturday or Wednesday morning, don’t miss the Farmer’s Market in Hilo Proper.
Going the opposite direction? It is a nice gradual climb to Kea’au with wide shoulders and one choke point just past the 4 mile marker where traffic from the right, Kilauea Ave., merges with traffic on Highway 11. It is recommended that you dismount and walk your bike at the small “V” island especially during afternoon commuter traffic hours.
Biking Safety Tips
- Wear a helmet every time you ride. Even if you just ride on bike paths or for a short distance, make sure you put on your helmet before you go.
- Obey traffic laws. Your bike is a vehicle, and just like a car, you must stop at stop signs and red traffic lights.
- Always ride with the flow of traffic. Even if you are riding a short distance, it is never safe to ride against traffic. Also, it is unlawful to ride facing traffic in Hawai‘i, as it is in all 50 states.
- Stop at the end of the driveway. Many crashes between a car and bike happen when riders don’t stop at the end of their driveway to look for cars. Always look left-right-left before entering or crossing a road.
- Be predictable. Don’t do anything that would surprise drivers, such as swerving in and out of parked cars or traffic.
- Look behind you, and make sure it is clear, before making a left turn or moving into the roadway. You should be able to glance over your shoulder without swerving. Also, let motorists know what you’re doing by using proper hand signals for turning and stopping.
- Be visible. Wear light-colored clothes when you ride, and try to get a bright helmet. If you ride at night, you must have a white front light and a red rear reflector.
- Don’t use headphones when riding. You need to be able to hear the traffic around you. Save your radio and tapes for relaxing after your bike ride.
- Don’t ride too close to parked cars. A driver may suddenly open the door in your path. Leave at least 3 feet of distance when passing parked cars, and be alert for cars that may be pulling out into the road.
- Make sure your bike is safe. Before you leave home, check to make sure that the brakes work, the seat and handlebars are tight, and the tires are properly inflated and in good shape. Also, make sure your bike is the right size. A bike that is too big is more dangerous than one that is too small.
Bring the Following Items
- Spare tire
- Spare tubes
- Bike-mounted tire pump or co2 cartridges.
- Equipment to change flats
- Lite Jacket
- Lite Rain Jacket
- Layers for the east side and Volcano.
- Special Needs Nutrition
- Carry at least two water bottles on each ride, 3 or 4 is better
It should be understood that participation in physical activity can be potentially harmful and can include inherent risks for individuals who are both healthy and those who have special health needs. It should be understood that participants undertake activity at their own risk and that they are responsible for making sound judgments regarding what activity is appropriate. The recommendations listed in this bicycling guide are in, no way, meant to replace medical advice or recommendations. All participants are encouraged to seek medical clearance before beginning an exercise program or enhancing an existing activity program. Anyone under the age of 16 riding a bike in Hawai`i must wear a helmet [ß291C-150]
Automobile drivers in the state of Hawaii are multicultural and have diverse attitudes, skills and experiences when it comes to dealing with cyclists on the road. Caution: Cyclists must take a proactive and defensive posture in riding in Hawaii.
Bicycle Riders follow basic traffic rules: i.e., Ride on the right side of the road. Exercise judgment toward safety and ride on the right shoulder if possible. Stop at traffic signals and stop signs. Move into left turn lanes when safe to do so.
Take care. The Island of Hawaii is split into road sections either by topography or by small urban centers as necessary to accommodate safe and fun bicycle excursions. Comments are made at each boundary of those sections. Comments are about: shoulder conditions, traffic choke points, times that cyclists should exercise extreme caution due to traffic/work/school patterns.
PLEASE NOTE: This guide is published as an aid to bicyclists, hikers and other users. PATH in no way warrants the safety or suitability of the routes indicated on this guide for shared use with motor vehicles or for use by young and/or inexperienced users. Users assume the risk for their own safety at all times when traveling on the indicated routes and trails. Although PATH has made a reasonable effort to ensure that the information contained in this guide is correct as of the date of publication, the actual conditions riders encounter may vary, and the organization in no way warrants its accuracy.
PATH assumes no liability for personal injuries or property damage suffered by users. Mahalo to John Luchau for his careful research of cyclng conditions around the island. Information for this guide was obtained from Na Ala Hele (www.hawaiitrails.org), the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources State Parks (www.hawaiistateparks.org) and Mountain Bicycling the Hawaiian Islands by John Alford (2010).
FOR FURTHER QUESTIONS OR TO SUBMIT FEEDBACK: Please contact PATH by mail at
PATH PO Box 62 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745,
Email: info@pathhawaii.org
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