Haleakala Hazards

One of the most popular things to do while on Maui is to see the spectacular sunrise on top of Haleakala and then ride a bike down the old Volcano. People are getting injured and even killed while experiencing this piece of paradise. Some bike tour companies are not educating their riders about the hazards before putting them on bikes and local residence are mad.

Photographer: Jacob Unger
Editor: Jacob Unger
Reporter: Paul Drewes
Original Air-Date: 8-03-07

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Haleakala
• Volcano
• Bike
• Tour
• Sunrise
• Sandstone
• Media

[youEwetube]

If people that do the ride down on the road were regular bike riders, it would probably be a lot less of an issue.

A more scenic way is to go on a mountain bike on the dirt road down, but what do you expect from disneyland tourists that pay a guided service and get fully pampered? They can't begin to do some adventure on their own that would require some true skills and fitness.

[Jakeman3]

I can dig cycling as much as the next guy but let us not forget who the roads were designed & built for.

EVERYONE needs to make safety their first consideration. You don't have to be a Harvard grad to understand that an argument with 3000 lbs. of steel traveling at 30 MPH is one you're going to lose. And putting your 8 year old children in the path of that mass of steel is just plain irresponsible. "Born to be wild" doesn't mean "destined to be a cripple".

[IamDaKanDao]

Sadly, there has been yet another death. Mr. Allyn Robert Park, 65 years of age, died on Sunday, December 4Th. 2011, while on one of these bike tours. Please don't take this ride lightly. If you haven't been on a bike in years it could be very dangerous. Thousands of people have a great time, but it isn't for everyone. Save a life, yours, or a loved one, think twice. Go to our web page and read the facts, then make an informed decision.

[Mariomonsta]

I didn't realize "aloha" was used as "gf noob" in Hawaii lol

[IamDaKanDao]

This is confusing. You say mauikanenokaioi that you're not an employee. Later in other videos you comment that you are. You hide in the zone of the web. You kiss major ass of your employers, the bike industry, and expect someone to believe your B.S.. By the way, your pidgin, as you try to pretend that you're local, is terrible. Also noticed that you make threats to people you disagree with. So this must be your little bullying place, the Internet, isn't that right little man?

[IamDaKanDao]

There are only a couple of bike companies, starting with Cruiser Phil's, that care about their customers and the locals. The rest care only about money. Maui Downhill had their bikes out operating while the fog was so thick you could only see about 20 feet in front of you. Very dangerous. Another death is right around the corner, sadly. Accidents are happening weekly, if not more often. Check out the website at mauibikesafety, created by locals who care. As well as their video.

[walperstyle]

Generally, drivers are more relaxed in maui. Not a problem.

[daytriker]

It's a shame the TV camera man wasn't better informed about the rules of the road. It appears that the speed limit is 30mph on that road so take care of that problem first. Next, Cyclists are NOT required to ride on the shoulder of the road so the lack of shoulders is not an issue. As for Jakeman 3 The roads were built for ALL users not just impatient car drivers. If a Dump Truck was descending that road & going slowly to save his brakes I wonder if drivers would be Honking at that too?

[MauiDems]

You have to be insane to allow your kids to do this given how many people have been killed.

[muchetti]

Who are you talking about Mike?