Hawaii Graphic and Web Design | CLD Blog - Smart Design leads City of Honolulu

Smart Design leads City of Honolulu

Posted by CLD

Published on April 2011 | 2 Comments



The Oahu Bike Plan was released by the City and County of Honolulu 4 years ago. The plan was designed to guide Oahu in becoming a more bicycle-friendly community. Presently, all of the City’s transit buses are equipped with bike racks, and you also see the iconic “bike shaped” parking stands all around the island.

There are various kinds of shapes for the standard bike racks such as a “ribbon” or “wave”, but the bike-shaped rack is one of the greater installments by the City. According to Department of Transportation, the bike racks are designed to hold up to four bikes. In addition, the simple shape of the bike rack makes it so it cannot be misused. The rack also keeps bikes from encroaching into pedestrian walkways because bikes have to park parallel to the rack.


From a design perspective, the minimal bike-shaped design itself also gives off nice design sense. Under Hawaii’s strong sun, the bike-shaped racks cast shadows on the sidewalk, creating another black color bike on the ground. The rack is not only functional, but also creates some flavor to the streets in the City of Honolulu.

People are interested in having a more sustainable life nowadays. Commuting to work or school by bike can be an alternative form of transportation that helps the environment.

The City however is still lacking infrastructure to be a “bicycle-friendly” city. We do not have enough safe bikeways and we have to share the same road with drivers the majority of the time. The cycling experience in the city is usually not really fun, but rather scary, and can often lead to tragic accidents. If the City completes the Bike Plan, it would be a great benefit not only for residents, but also tourists who come to enjoy Hawaii. They will be able to enjoy the sweet Hawaiian breeze while cycling.

The good designed bike rack has paved the way for leading the City’s vision to become a “bicycle-friendly” and “sustainable” city. We hope following this, more well designed bike paths will begin to be built throughout the islands, and good bike route signs will follow to complete the Oahu Bike Plan.

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