Creating a more bicycle friendly community -- that's the goal of Honolulu City officials.

Tonight they held the first of three workshops this week, to discuss with residents potential routes for the Oahu Bicycle Master Plan.

This new plan is an update of the 1999 Honolulu Bicycle Master Plan, which included only urban Honolulu.

This time, City officials want to expand it to cover the entire island, and to connect it to the new rail system.

Hawaii's year-round warm weather makes it the perfect place for outdoor activities -- surfing, hiking, walking and bicycling.

Yet, the amount of cars far outnumber the amount of bicycles.

"In Portland, they have five times as many people riding, and they have awful weather there," said Chris Sayers, Bicycle Coordinator for the City & County of Honolulu.

City officials want to make Oahu more bicycle-friendly.

"We hope we can tie in the bikeways all around the island so people can go anywhere they want to go by bike," said Sayers.

It's a plan avid bike rider John Climaldi is excited about, and hopes to see come to fruition.

"With Mufi pushing the train feeder routes for bikes, it's a natural progression. And that's something that needs to happen so people have choices," said bicyclist John Climaldi.

Especially with gasoline at $4 a gallon.

Climaldi pedals to and from work almost every day -- from Hawaii Kai to Kaimuki.

"Just knowing I don't fill up the tank once or twice a week, and it's saving me $80 or $90, it's huge. I can spend that money on my family, my kids," said Climaldi.

"We're not trying to force people out of their cars. We all love our cars but it's nice to have another choice," said Sayers.

Sayers says the Oahu Bicycle Master Plan will likely be a network of streets with bike lanes, separate bike paths, and shared roadways -- with safety a priority.

"The number one complaint or comment I get from people is they don't feel safe on their bikes," said Sayers.

"I've had a close call or two but the drivers are always apologetic. Nothing is ever done in spite," said Climaldi.

City officials want the public's input.

There are two upcoming workshops -- Wednesday night at the Pali Golf Course, and Thursday night at the Blaisdell Center, both from 7PM - 9PM.

Sayers says the project could cost an estimated $70-Million, but he feels confident they'll find the money to pay for it.

"If we could actually make this happen and have the funding go through, I think it'll be a big step for Hawaii. In ten years, I see Hawaii becoming the Amsterdam of the Pacific," said Climaldi.

Amsterdam, of course known as the bike capital of the world.

Sayers says they hope to come up with the final plan by next summer -- then start implementing it, and that'll take several years.