Motorcycle culture at BYU-Hawaii is very relaxed due to the state’s legislation on protective gear, as well as climatic limitations of the lifesaving technology, according to student bikers on campus. There are not a whole lot of motorcycles ridden on the BYUH campus, and Sargent Iona Teiipaia, military veteran and full-time security officer, said “only one bike so far this semester has registered their motorcycles at the security office so far for the Fall 2018 semester.”
“Registration through the school is a requirement for vehicles that park on campus grounds regularly,” implying that the population of riders are low.
Tanner Tueller, a freshman studying business and supply chain management from Oahu, illustrated many of his reasons for riding. “It started off when I looked for cheaper ways to get around,” he said as he showed his Kawasaki 500r.
Tueller said he “only spends 15 dollars a month on gas for his motorcycle, instead of 50 dollars a week” to fill up his car. “Commuting to work a few times a week just makes a car unsustainable, a motorcycle makes more sense in terms of gas efficiency.”
An issue that tends to arise according to Teiipaia, and contributes to the lack of school motorcycle registrations, is the “tendency for student motorcyclists to neglect proper permits and licensing.”
Tueller added, “The safety course to get your license here takes like a week,” not only that but he had “bought the motorcycle to save money.” While he has proper riding credentials, he is more than aware of those who don’t. To those who practice this, he explained, “You can get your bike impounded for not having your permit.” A consequence any motorist would avoid, according to Tueller.
Observing motorcyclists on campus, it is easily recognizable how the protective gear many riders wear differs from person to person. Tueller said he “mostly wear [his] helmet, but the other gear is just too impractical for the humidity and heat of the island.”
Local law enforcement, the Honolulu Police Department, highly advises all motorbike riders to wear all the safety gear all the time according to their website, honolulupd.org. On Oahu specifically, helmets “reduce the risk of death by 42 percent and the risk of head injury by 69 percent” as posted by the HPD on their website.
Another student biker, Sam Fisihetau, a junior business major from Utah, related similar thoughts as Tueller in many aspects of riding. While he said, “safety is really important to consider” and that he is a “large proponent of safety gear,” Fisihetau also said he doesn’t think “wearing all the gear: helmet, gloves, jacket, pants, and boots- isn’t always practical in Hawaii.”
He said, “The local culture in Laie is one that embraces the aloha spirit.” Fisihetau differentiates how “in Honolulu I would be more inclined to wear protective gear more religiously due to the heavy congestion and dense population,” in comparison to BYUH’s host town, where “riding is safer” and more relaxed.
Writer: Mason Cole