Biking restrictions considered on Maui volcano

WAILUKU, Hawaii -- Recent biking accidents and deaths on the 10,000-foot winding road down Maui's Haleakala volcano could lead to stricter safety rules.

Park and state officials are considering whether they should restrict the number of biking tours, the number of bikes in each group, the spacing of the bikes and perhaps the total number of tours themselves.

Within the past seven months, a man died of a heart attack after hitting his head during a downhill ride, a woman died after riding off the edge of the road, a bicycle tour leader severely injured his leg and hip when he failed to negotiate a turn and careened into lava rock, and a 13-year-old boy also failed to make a turn and cut up his knee and side.

Haleakala National Park is currently developing a commercial service plan evaluating various activities in the park to determine what commercial services are appropriate and whether they compromise public health and safety, said Park Superintendent Marilyn Parris.

Other national parks offer bicycle riding, but none promote it as a thrill ride from 10,000 feet to sea level, she said. Tourists rent bikes, have them hauled to the top of the mountain and mostly coast down the paved, two-lane highway, competing with two-way traffic on the popular mountain road.

The most popular tours aim to start the downward journey at sunrise.

"It does not matter if you are a professional or an amateur. The potential to get hurt is there," Parris said.

Separately, a bill passed by the state Legislature this year gives the Maui County Council the authority to regulate guided bike tours and unguided bike rentals.

Councilman Mike Molina said he wants the island government to look at requiring the industry to maintain spacing between tours, setting a minimum age limit to address safety concerns and capping the total number of groups allowed.

Some 19 bicycle tour businesses operate on Haleakala, attracting an estimated 79,000 riders in 2005, according to park officials.