April 2019

WHEEL PEOPLE            Vol. 38  No.  2           April 2019

Newsletter of the Humboldt Bay Bicycle Commuters Association

P.O. Box 9054 Eureka CA  95502                                                                                                                                                                           

Website: www.humbike.org
Email: info<at>humbike.org

 
New and Renewed Members of the HBBCA
 
The following are new and renewed members for 2019.   If you haven’t renewed your dues for 2019, they were due on January 1, as all dues expire on December 31.   An application is at the end of the newsletter.
 
Renewed Members for 2019
 
New
Tucker Duke, Eureka
 
Renewed
 
Carl & Judy Cooper, Bayside**
Chris Whitworth, McKinleyville**
Michael & Bonnie Walund, Eureka**
Brett Gronemeyer & Lea Schroeder, Eureka**
Oona Smith, Arcata***
Ralph Martinelli, Eureka**
Christopher Ursich, Arcata**
Justin Brown, Revolution Bicycles***
Elizabeth Edwards, Eureka**
Patricia-Anne & George WinterSun***
Philip & June Lescano, Eureka**
Bob Morris, Eureka**
Jerry Cottrell, Bayside**
Jim & Frances Maunder, Eureka
Wally Coppini, Rio Dell**
Claudio Freixas, Jr., Eureka
Betty Jain, Arcata**
 
Those with a ** next to their name gave an additionaldonation. 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 on April 22, 2019 in Arcata
 
The next regular HBBCA meeting will be at 6:00 p.m., Monday, April 22, 2019, at Carmela’s Mexican Restaurant at 13thand G streets in Arcata.  To suggest agenda items, please contact Rick Knapp at info@humbike.orgor call him at 445-1097.
 
Arcata Annie & Mary Trail Events
 
Before you head to the next HBBCA meeting, check out the Pop-Up Trail Demo at the Arcata Skate Park. The City will be installing a temporary section of trail to demonstrate what the future trail may look like. Monday, April 22nd, 12:00-6:00 pm at 1090 Sunset Avenue.
 
The following day, the City will be holding Community Workshop #2, following up on the input they received via surveys and the first workshop. Attendees will review potential alignments and trail designs. Tuesday, April 23rd, 5:30-7:30 pm at the Hampton Inn on Valley West Blvd.
 
Bike Month is May 2019, but Events Start in April
 
At the end of this newsletter is a 2-page list of events being planned for April and May 2019.   It includes events planned by the Bike Month Humboldt Coalition and others planned by local agencies and interest groups.   A total of more than 30 events are planned!!!
 
Once again, our signature Bike to Work Day Ralliesare held in May in Arcata and Eureka.  The rally in Arcata will be at noontime on Thursday, May 9th,at the Plaza.   The Eureka Rally will be at the Old Town Gazebo on May 16thBoth rallies will be preceded by energizer stations at the Co-op.  Cyclists can get mini-tune-ups at energizer stations and noontime rallies.     
 
Don’t miss an opportunity to pack some carbohydrates on April 21st.   Meet Rick Knapp at the Old Town Gazebo at 9 a.m. and ride to Swedish Pancakes at the Moose Lodge on Campton Road.  Cost is $8 at the door.  Rain cancels the event but not the pancakes.     
 
Don’t forget the Humboldt Bike Challenge, Humboldt Bike Shorts (videos), Ride in Wednesdays, bike rodeos, other pancakerides, and much MORE.                                
                                                     
The HBBCA Donates to the Arcata Police Department’s Bicycle Helmet Program
 
In March, the HBBCA Board voted to donate $100 to a recently announced Arcata Police Department Bicycle Helmet Fund.  In a letter, dated March 21, Chief Brian Ahearn thanked the HBBCA for its “generous donation” to the program; and thanked it for “supporting our community.”   In his letter, he indicated that donations to the Fund are tax deductible, Tax ID is 94-2186507, in case others wish to donate.  The APD plans to use the funds to give helmets to those riding in the City who don’t have helmets.
 
Status of Funding for H and I Street Bike Lanes
 
Rick met with Scott Ellsmore, Eureka Traffic Project Manager, on February 11thto determine the status of funding for the H and I Street project that would add buffered bike lanes and street crossing improvements.  The project was submitted in December for the Caltrans Highway Safety Improvement Program.   The project did not receive funding for the current cycle.  He said it will be resubmitted next time, which is two years from the last submittal, so about December 2020.  He said that the project had a benefit/cost ratio substantially above the cutoff for the prior cycle, but not high enough for this cycle.   It is disappointing, but hopefully funding will happen in the next cycle.
 
The City has three other HSIP projects funded, two under construction to improve conditions for pedestrians in the City.   If you see work being done on sidewalks and crossings, the work is probably funded from this program—except for the massive sidewalk project being done by Caltrans on Broadway.
 
Funding Received for the Final Segment of the Humboldt Bay Trail
 
Recently, the California Transportation Commission voted approval of funding for construction of the final segment (4.2 miles) of the Humboldt Bay Trail.  According to Hank Seemann, Humboldt County Public Works Environmental Services Deputy Director, if all goes well in the environmental, design and permit phases, construction could begin as early as 2020, but that schedule requires approval from the Corps of Engineers and the California Coastal Commission to name just two of the major hurdles that must be cleared.
Who to Call When You See a Safety Concern (Rev. 1/2019)   
 
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
Betsy Totten, Customer Service Liaison
441-5655   www.dot.ca.gov/d1/contactus.html
 
County of Humboldt
Wendy Meeks, Dispatcher
445-7421wmeeks@co.humboldt.ca.us
Abandoned Vehicles: Wally Williams,
County Sheriff’s Office, 268-2509
 
City of Arcata
Melanie Dabill
Public Works Administrative Assistant 
825-2128mdabill@cityofarcata.org
Abandoned Vehicles: 
Arcata Police Dept. at 822-2424
 
City of Eureka
441-4203publicworks@ci.eureka.ca.gov
Abandoned Vehicles: 
eureka-policeabatement@ci.eureka.ca.gov;
phone 268-5232
 
HBBCA Board of Directors (Rev. 4/2019)
 
President---------------------- Rick Knapp
707-445-1097(h) email: info@humbike.org
Vice-President---------------- Brett Gronemeyer
707-845-2117(cell); 445-6578 (w)
Secretary/Treasurer---Gail Popham,
707-502-8030(cell)
Director of Planning-----Alexis Kelso, 707-441-5621(w)
Director of Publicity ----open/available
 
Contact Rick Knapp if you are interested in filing a vacant Board position.
 
Please Join or Renew Your Membership for 2019  
 
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, insurance, 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
 
Name_______________________________________________
 
Address_____________________________________________
 
______________________________________________________
 
Phone__________________(h)______________________(w)
 
____I’d rather receive my newsletter by email.   This is myneatly printed email address:
 
______________________________________________________
Mail to HBBCA, P.O. Box 9054 Eureka CA 95502-9054