April 2017
WHEEL PEOPLE Vol. 36 No. 2 April 2017
Newsletter of the Humboldt Bay Bicycle Commuters Association
P.O. Box 9054 Eureka CA 95502
Website: www.humbike.org
Email: info@humbike.org
New and Renewed Members of the HBBCAThe following are new and renewed members for 2017. Please consider joining or renewing if you haven’t already.
Renewed Members
Rick Knapp, Eureka***
Ralph Martinelli, Eureka**
Mark Mueller & Nina Greenburg, Eureka***
Bob Morris, Eureka**
Claudio Freixas, Eureka
Robert Schultze & Sonja Schultze-Huff, Eureka**
Michael Slavin, Arcata**
Martin Smukler, McKinleyville**
Chris Whitworth, McKinleyville**
Melanie Williams, Arcata**
Betty Jain, Arcata**
Lisa Hoover, Blue Lake***
Mitch Higa, McKinleyville**
Wally Coppini, Rio Dell**
Brett Gronemeyer & Lea Schroeder, Eureka**
Oona Smith, Arcata***
Mike & Bonnie Walund, Eureka**
Rick Gustafson, Eureka***
Victor Dumlao, Eureka***
Philip & June Lescano, Eureka**
Those with a ** next to their name gave an additional donation. Those with *** have given a $25 or greater donation. Thanks to all those who have joined or renewed their commitment and those who have given additional donations to support our many causes. Get on board now for all the benefits, including discounts at all the bike shops. See application at the end of the newsletter.
The Next Regular Meeting will be Held on April 24th in Arcata
The next regular HBBCA meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m., Monday, April 24th, at Carmela’s Mexican restaurant at 13th and G Streets in Arcata. Dinner is optional. Agenda items may be suggested by emailing info@humbike.org. Included will be discussion of Bike Month Humboldt events, scheduled for May 2017.
Bike Month Events Planned for May in Humboldt Bay Region
The Bike Month Humboldt Coalition has had several meetings this year to plan and coordinate bike-related events for the month of May.
Our signature events, noontime Bike to Work Day rallies, are planned for Arcata and Eureka:
May 11, Arcata Plaza
May 18, Old Town Gazebo
(with food and drink engergizer stations at the respective North Coast Co-Op from 7 to 9 a.m.)
At the rallies themselves, there will representatives from several advocacy groups. There will be prizes for longest bike commute, best commuter bike, best fitting helmet, and other prizes for just having your number drawn. Organizations with the greatest participation at the rallies will be recognized with certificates from the HBBCA.
At the Eureka Rally, you can get your bike licensed by Eureka PD. After the Eureka Rally, there will be a “minimal mass” ride through Old Town.
Dozens of other events will happen during Bike Month Humboldt, including a bike-to movie, weekend rides to pancake breakfasts, scavenger hunt by bicycle, and bike rodeos all over the County.
For details, see attached draft Calendar of Events, and before May gets here, the final calendar will be posted on our website, www.humbike.org and our Facebook page.
We WANT YOU for the HUMBOLDT BIKE CHALLENGE!
By Oona Smith, HBBCA member
Come May, we want you to ride for the Humboldt Bike Challenge! The Humboldt Bike Month Coalition is hosting the local challenge as part of the great National Bike Challenge. Last year our Bike Month goal was 5,000 miles. We dusted that with 9,000 miles in May alone! And that was with just 51 of us formally riding in the challenge. Imagine what we can do if we spread the news and get others to join the challenge for May 2017. We think we can achieve 15,000 miles. Will you join us and help us destroy another goal???
In its simplest form, the Bike Challenge is an easy on-line center for you to record the miles you ride each day and see how you are competing against other riders in Humboldt County, your city, the State and the nation. Several of us took it one gear higher and created the Bay Trail Challenge Team. We got pledges—per mile, per day, or a set/maximum amount—and raised over $1,5000 in donations towards making the Bay Trail a reality sooner than later. All funds go to the Humboldt Bay Trail Fund through the Humboldt Area Foundation.
So come ye, come ye! Ride for the Bay Trail Challenge Team! Or set up your own team under the Humboldt Challenge and see if you can beat us. We dare you! In April, you can register yourself, your work team, school team, club team—whatever—and be ready come May 1st! National Bike Challenge’s all new site is coming in April 2017 (nationalbikechallenge.org). You can help them test their Beta site now using the Strava app.)
For updates, follow Bike Month Humboldt on Facebook, or humbike.org.
Scott Kelly, former HBBCA President Attended January HBBCA Meeting
Those who attended the regular January meeting of the HBBCA at Chapala’s Café in Eureka were treated to a visit from its former President, Scott Kelly, who now resides in Portland. He happened to be in Eureka doing some engineering consulting work, checked our website to see if we had an upcoming meeting and was surprised that “it was tonight,” and only 4 blocks from where he was staying. Scott said he missed Humboldt County as he has to ride for about an hour to escape the urban area of Portland.
Issues with Dogs off Leashes on Eureka Bay Trails
Rick Knapp has ridden the expanded bike path system on the waterfront several times recently and has noted a large number of dogs not on leashes. Over a few weeks, he kept track of the nearly 50 dogs he encountered with owners. So far, approximately 40% are not on leashes. Leashes are required by local ordinance. Dogs not on leash create obvious problems for cyclists, but also all other legal users—kids, adults, and dogs on leashes. In talking to some users who have their dogs on leashes, they don’t appreciate non-leashed dogs, either, as even if a dog is completely harmless, how do you know it?
This issue was raised with Miles Slattery, Director, Eureka Parks and Recreation District, who by 2/28/17 email advised:
“We intend to do a more comprehensive signage plan once Council adopts…..a trail use ordinance. We are concerned about sign pollution…..” He goes on to make a case for a single sign covering all requirements.
I indicated that I had been chased twice already by unleashed dogs on the trails. He said he would advise Eureka Police Department and ask that they do periodic patrols, but also emphasized that individuals report unsafe conditions to EPD. Put these numbers in your phone, in addition to 9-1-1. Non emergency EPD phone numbers: 441-4060 during week days and 441-4044, during off-hours.
Long Time Member Has Bike Stolen and Returned in Eureka
Bob Berg, a member of the HBBCA for 22 years had a very expensive bike stolen at the Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center on February 21st. It was right in front, locked with what he felt was a quality cable lock. It turns out someone with cable cutters took it. He reported it to Eureka Police Department. Then the good part….it was recovered by Officer Soltow. Soon after he reported it stolen, the officer was in the vicinity of Target and found the bike and invited him to come down to claim it. Then, he reviewed Target’s security tape, identified the thief and later spotted him and arrested him in front of Denny’s. The thief had a bolt cutter in his backpack when arrested.
A word to the wise, this is happening far too often. In spite of the extra weight, some of us are resorting to a cable, plus a U-lok to make it a little tougher on the full-time thieves. Bob said, “From now on, I’m taking my bike inside with me!”
Letters
Rick,
Thank you for your car-finding assistance today (1/16/17) today in Old Town. Your thoughtfulness made the quest fun. (Smile face)
Sincerely,
Kate, Eureka
(Editor’s note: While riding in the Old Town area, Rick noticed two ladies lamenting about their “lost car” at a street corner. They had gone to a rally and parked quite a ways away and had forgotten exactly where. With a description, he helped them track it down. Bikes might not be able to go as fast as a car, but they can be more effective than walking in many instances.
Hello,
Thank you for your efforts on behalf of commuters. I am a seasonal Arcata to Eureka commuter and am more motivated, I am sad to say, by a death related to bike commuting and a grossly errant driver. Onward….
Lisa Hoover, Blue Lake
HBBCA,
I do this (renewing his membership with a generous donation) only to support the organization with its efforts to encourage responsible cycling. My personal cycling is minimal at best. Thanks for all you do for the community.
Michael Slavin, Arcata
Who to Call When You See a Safety Concern (Rev. 4/2016)
The HBBCA checked with agencies in the Humboldt Bay region to determine appropriate contact personnel to respond to bike-related issues. If you see a condition that needs to be corrected in order to improve safety or convenience for cyclists such as a pothole in a bike lane, accumulated debris on a roadway shoulder, the need to re-stripe a bike lane, the need to clear vegetation encroaching on a shoulder, or a street light that is out, call the responsible agency/person listed below. Of course, if you see a condition that requires immediate attention, like a stop sign knocked down, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency conditions, the following contact information is provided:
Caltrans
Mark Suchanek, Deputy District Director
445-6393 Mark.Suchanek@dot.ca.gov
Dan Ramirez, Maintenance Manager
(for maintenance-related concerns)
445-5327 daniel.r.ramirez@dot.ca.gov
County of Humboldt
Wendy Meeks, Dispatcher
445-7421 wmeeks@co.humboldt.ca.us
Abandoned Vehicles: Wally Williams,
County Sheriff’s Office, 268-2509
City of Arcata
Alynn Zdawczynski,
Public Works Administrative Assistant
822-5957 azdawczynski@cityofarcata.org
Abandoned Vehicles:
Arcata Police Dept. at 822-2424
City of Eureka
441-4203 publicworks@ci.eureka.ca.gov
Abandoned Vehicles:
eureka-policeabatement@ci.eureka.ca.gov;
phone 268-5232
HBBCA Board of Directors (Rev. 12/2016)
President---------------------- Rick Knapp
445-1097(h) email: info@humbike.org
Vice-President---------------- Brett Gronemeyer
845-2117(h); 445-6578 (w)
Secretary/Treasurer---Gail Popham,
707-502-8030(cell)
Director of Publicity ----open/available
Director of Planning-----open/available
Contact Rick Knapp if you are interested in filing a vacant Board position.
Please Join or Renew Your Membership for 2017
The HBBCA is working to improve and encourage bicycle commuting. Your $5.00 annual dues, paid on a calendar year basis, will help pay for youth helmets, bike racks, this newsletter, the website, BikeSmart promotions, “Bike Month” activities, prizes, postage, etc. And, it will help demonstrate your commitment to our goal.
With your membership card, you may request the following discounts on bike parts and accessories: 10% at Revolution Bicycle Repair; 15% at Adventure’s Edge; 10% at Pacific Outfitters, and 15% at Sport and Cycle. Membership cards include stickers on the back showing discounts offered by the various bike shops.
Enclosed: $_____dues $_____donation
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______________________________________________________
Phone__________________(h)______________________(w)
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Mail to HBBCA, P.O. Box 9054 Eureka CA 95502-9054
Bike Month Humboldt 2017 Calendar of Events
All Events Free and for All Ages!
May: Humboldt Bike Challenge
Wednesdays in May: Wheel-in Wednesdays. Group commuter rides from Arcata to Eureka every Wednesday in May. Meet at the Arcata North Coast Co-op, group leaves at 7am, 441-5574
May: Community Bike Kitchen Open Hours, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 6-8pm, 1000 B Street Eureka, 269-2061
Sunday, May 5: Scavenger Hunt Ride, Arcata Plaza, 5:30pm
Saturday, May 6: Newtown B. Drury Parkway through Prairie Creek State Park closed to cars
Saturday, May 6: Rio Dell Kids’ Bike Rodeo: Fireman’s Hall, Rio Dell, 11-1, 707-764-5239
Saturday, May 6: City of Arcata Family Bike Rodeo: Arcata Creamery District, 10am – 12pm
Saturday, May 6: Arts Alive Fun Ride: Eureka Old Town Gazebo, 6pm, 269-2061
Sunday, May 7: Pancake Ride to Freshwater Grange: 9am from Eureka Old Town Gazebo, 269-2061
Tuesday, May 9: Eureka Transportation Safety Commission, Eureka City Hall Council Chambers, 3:30pm
Wednesday, May 10: Bike to School Day! Walk & Roll events at many schools across the county, 707-362-1131
Thursday, May 11:
***Arcata Bike to Work Day, 7-9am energizer station at Arcata North Coast Co-op
***Bike to Work Day rally at noon on the Plaza
(**BFB Happy Hour ride, meet at the Plaza at ___ )
Saturday, May 13: Bike Craft Workshop, Scrap Humboldt, 101 H Street, Arcata, 12-2pm
Sunday, May 14: Pancake Ride, Friendly Ride from Arcata to Blue Lake for the Pancake Breakfast at the Mad River Grange, 9am from the Arcata Plaza, 444-8208
Tuesday, May 16: Arcata Transportation Safety Committee, Arcata City Hall Council Chambers, 4:30pm
Thursday, May 18:
***Eureka Bike to Work Day, 7-9am energizer station at Eureka North Coast Co-op
***Bike to Work Day rally at noon at Old Town Gazebo with ‘minimal mass’ ride through Old Town following rally
Saturday, May 20: Tour of the Unknown Coast, Ferndale, www.tuccycle.org including Family Fun Ride
Saturday, May 20: Willow Creek Kid’s Bike Rodeo: Veterans Park in Willow Creek, 10am to 1pm, (530) 629-3141
Saturday, May 20: Pancake Ride, Friendly Ride to the Pancake Breakfast at Dows Prairie Grange, meet at 8am on the Arcata Plaza or at 9am at Hiller Park on the Hammond Trail
Saturday, May 20: Bike-In Movie in the Park, Sequoia Park, 3414 W Street, Eureka, all ages
Saturday, May 27-29: Kinetic Grand Championship, www.kineticgrandchampionship.com
Saturday, June 3: Regional Trails Summit, Wharfinger Building, 1 Marina Way, Eureka, 10am - 12pm
Saturday, June 3: Blue Lake Kids’ Bike Rodeo: 11am-1pm, Blue Lake Community Resource Center, 668-5239
Saturday, June 3: Loleta Kid’s Bike Rodeo: 10am-1pm, Loleta Community Resource Center, 733-5239
bold events are sponsored by the Bike Month Humboldt! coalition
#BikeMonthHumboldt
www.humbike.org