January 2025
Vol. 44 No. 1 January 2025
Website: www.humbike.org
Email: info@humbike.org
New and Renewed Members of the HBBCA
The following are new and renewed members since the last newsletter. If you haven’t renewed your dues for 2025, please see the application at the end of this newsletter.
New Members
None
Renewed Members (since last newsletter)
Will Dvorak & Carole Beaton, Eureka***
Carl & Judy Cooper, Bayside***
Jack Cline, Eureka**
Rick Knapp, Eureka***
Gail Popham, Eureka**
Jim & Frances Maunder, Eureka**
Those with a ** next to their name gave an additional donation. Those with *** have given a $25 or greater donation in addition to their dues. 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 bike shops. See application at the end of the newsletter.
Next Meeting at Carmela’s Mexican Restaurant on Monday, January 27th in Arcata
The next meeting of the HBBCA will be on Monday, January 27th. The dinner meeting will be at Carmela’s Mexican Restaurant, 13th and G Streets in Arcata, from 6-8 pm. The agenda will be set by the attendees.
Completion of the Humboldt Bay Trail South Delayed until Late Spring or early Summer
As we warned in the last Wheel People, the completion of the Waterfront Trail South will not be completed until late Spring or early summer according to a November 2024 letter to supporters of the Humboldt Bay Trail Fund. An opening celebration has been tentatively scheduled for May 31, 2025. Rick Knapp has suggested that the opening be delayed until completion has occurred so that part of the celebration so that participants can immediately ride from the celebration to the completed trail.
In that letter, it stated that to date, “your donations have provided grants for $108,000 in trail support, while still allowing the endowed portion of the Fund to grow. Currently, the Fund balance totals over $560,000. Recent allocations helped purchase trash receptacles for the Trail; sustained support for the Volunteer Trail Stewards, including tools and supplies; contributed to purchasing a heavy-duty mower, and more. For fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, hundreds of trail volunteers contributed more than 7,200 hours of service. If you would like to donate to the Trail Fund, send checks to:
Humboldt Area Foundation, 363 Indianola Road, Bayside CA 95524. Specify Humboldt Bay Trail Fund. To make credit card donations, go to the HAF website.
Arcata City Council Gets Update on Proposed Sunset Avenue Interchange Improvements Project
In early August, the Arcata City Council received an update from Netra Khatri, City Engineer, on the proposed Sunset Avenue Interchange Improvement Project. According to an article in the August 21, 2024 Mad River Union, “It would consolidate three existing, often confusing stop-controlled intersections into two new roundabouts, easing vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian access.
The project is now in the Plans, Specifications and Estimates phase, and the city is seeking funding to carry it out. Caltrans is helping with technical assistance, while Cal Poly Humboldt (CPH) and the state provided some design funding. Construction has been estimated at up to $25 million, and funding is being sought via grants. CPH has pledged $2.5 million to the project.
A public meeting is planned for early 2025, with presentations to the Transportation Safety Committee and City Council next June.”
[1/8/25 update: Today, Congressman Huffman announced a federal allocation of $15 million toward the project described above.]
Letters/Emails
On October 17, 2024, Rick Knapp wrote an email to Will Dvorak and Carole Beaton thanking them for their very generous donation and for being the top donor to the HBBCA for 30 years!! Will and Carole immediately wrote back:
Hi Rick,
Thank you for the compliment, but the question would be better posed “What would HBBCA do without you”. We have just contributed money, but you have contributed a great deal of everyone’s most valuable asset, time. It is worth far more than money as it is irreplaceable. Your time spent nurturing HBBCA and advocating—and successfully implementing—our bike infrastructure would not have happened without your unceasing efforts. Thank you, we appreciate it.
Will & Carole
Thanks, Will and Carole for the kind words. I have received a lot of satisfaction for my efforts, sometimes I have had to wait a long time to see the payoff (e.g., 12 years for the H & I street bikeways).
Bike Lane Improvements Underway in Eureka
At completion of this newsletter, the City of Eureka was just finishing some bike lane enhancements. Harris Street, between Broadway and California Street was just repaved and bike lanes are being restriped with a variable width buffer between the right lane and the bike lane. For wider portions of the street, in the vicinity of the Eureka Mall, a 4-foot buffer is being added. For narrower sections of roadway, the buffer is about 2 feet. Either way, much improved for safety.
H Street, from Harris Street south to the southerly city limit, the street was repaved, and striping of a new bike lane is being accomplished at this time. It appears that a 2-foot buffer will be provided with that bike lane, also.
Who to Call When You See a Safety Concern (Rev. 9/27//24)
The HBBCA periodically checks 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
Customer Service Liaison, Jessica Henry Gibbs
707-441-5655 online Customer Service Report:
csr.dot.ca.gov
County of Humboldt
707-445-7421 Public Works
RoadsDispatch@co.humboldt.ca.us
Abandoned Vehicles:
County Sheriff’s Office, 707-445-7251
City of Arcata
Engineering Administrative Staff
707-825-2128
Engineering@cityofarcata.org
Abandoned Vehicles:
Arcata Police Dept. at 707-822-2424
City of Eureka
707-441-4203 publicworks@ci.eureka.ca.gov
Abandoned Vehicles:
707-268-5232
eurekapoliceabatement@ci.eureka.ca.gov
HBBCA Board of Directors (Rev. 10/2/23)
(all phone numbers have 707 area codes)
President---------------------- Rick Knapp
499-5918(cell) email: info@humbike.org
Vice-President---------------- Brett Gronemeyer
845-2117(cell);
Secretary/Treasurer----------------Gail Popham
502-8030(cell)
Director of Planning-----open/available
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 2025
Your membership, 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 discounts on bike parts and accessories at Revolution Bicycle Repair and Adventure’s Edge. Discounts are typically 10%, but may vary. Membership cards include stickers on the back showing discounts offered by the various bike shops.
Enclosed: $_____dues ($5.00) $_____donation
Name_______________________________________________
Address_____________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Phone__________________(h)______________________(w)
____I’d rather receive my newsletter by email. This is my neatly printed email address:
_____________________________________________________________
Mail to HBBCA, P. O. Box 9054 Eureka CA 95502-9054
Website: www.humbike.org
Email: info@humbike.org
New and Renewed Members of the HBBCA
The following are new and renewed members since the last newsletter. If you haven’t renewed your dues for 2025, please see the application at the end of this newsletter.
New Members
None
Renewed Members (since last newsletter)
Will Dvorak & Carole Beaton, Eureka***
Carl & Judy Cooper, Bayside***
Jack Cline, Eureka**
Rick Knapp, Eureka***
Gail Popham, Eureka**
Jim & Frances Maunder, Eureka**
Those with a ** next to their name gave an additional donation. Those with *** have given a $25 or greater donation in addition to their dues. 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 bike shops. See application at the end of the newsletter.
Next Meeting at Carmela’s Mexican Restaurant on Monday, January 27th in Arcata
The next meeting of the HBBCA will be on Monday, January 27th. The dinner meeting will be at Carmela’s Mexican Restaurant, 13th and G Streets in Arcata, from 6-8 pm. The agenda will be set by the attendees.
Completion of the Humboldt Bay Trail South Delayed until Late Spring or early Summer
As we warned in the last Wheel People, the completion of the Waterfront Trail South will not be completed until late Spring or early summer according to a November 2024 letter to supporters of the Humboldt Bay Trail Fund. An opening celebration has been tentatively scheduled for May 31, 2025. Rick Knapp has suggested that the opening be delayed until completion has occurred so that part of the celebration so that participants can immediately ride from the celebration to the completed trail.
In that letter, it stated that to date, “your donations have provided grants for $108,000 in trail support, while still allowing the endowed portion of the Fund to grow. Currently, the Fund balance totals over $560,000. Recent allocations helped purchase trash receptacles for the Trail; sustained support for the Volunteer Trail Stewards, including tools and supplies; contributed to purchasing a heavy-duty mower, and more. For fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, hundreds of trail volunteers contributed more than 7,200 hours of service. If you would like to donate to the Trail Fund, send checks to:
Humboldt Area Foundation, 363 Indianola Road, Bayside CA 95524. Specify Humboldt Bay Trail Fund. To make credit card donations, go to the HAF website.
Arcata City Council Gets Update on Proposed Sunset Avenue Interchange Improvements Project
In early August, the Arcata City Council received an update from Netra Khatri, City Engineer, on the proposed Sunset Avenue Interchange Improvement Project. According to an article in the August 21, 2024 Mad River Union, “It would consolidate three existing, often confusing stop-controlled intersections into two new roundabouts, easing vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian access.
The project is now in the Plans, Specifications and Estimates phase, and the city is seeking funding to carry it out. Caltrans is helping with technical assistance, while Cal Poly Humboldt (CPH) and the state provided some design funding. Construction has been estimated at up to $25 million, and funding is being sought via grants. CPH has pledged $2.5 million to the project.
A public meeting is planned for early 2025, with presentations to the Transportation Safety Committee and City Council next June.”
[1/8/25 update: Today, Congressman Huffman announced a federal allocation of $15 million toward the project described above.]
Letters/Emails
On October 17, 2024, Rick Knapp wrote an email to Will Dvorak and Carole Beaton thanking them for their very generous donation and for being the top donor to the HBBCA for 30 years!! Will and Carole immediately wrote back:
Hi Rick,
Thank you for the compliment, but the question would be better posed “What would HBBCA do without you”. We have just contributed money, but you have contributed a great deal of everyone’s most valuable asset, time. It is worth far more than money as it is irreplaceable. Your time spent nurturing HBBCA and advocating—and successfully implementing—our bike infrastructure would not have happened without your unceasing efforts. Thank you, we appreciate it.
Will & Carole
Thanks, Will and Carole for the kind words. I have received a lot of satisfaction for my efforts, sometimes I have had to wait a long time to see the payoff (e.g., 12 years for the H & I street bikeways).
Bike Lane Improvements Underway in Eureka
At completion of this newsletter, the City of Eureka was just finishing some bike lane enhancements. Harris Street, between Broadway and California Street was just repaved and bike lanes are being restriped with a variable width buffer between the right lane and the bike lane. For wider portions of the street, in the vicinity of the Eureka Mall, a 4-foot buffer is being added. For narrower sections of roadway, the buffer is about 2 feet. Either way, much improved for safety.
H Street, from Harris Street south to the southerly city limit, the street was repaved, and striping of a new bike lane is being accomplished at this time. It appears that a 2-foot buffer will be provided with that bike lane, also.
Who to Call When You See a Safety Concern (Rev. 9/27//24)
The HBBCA periodically checks 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
Customer Service Liaison, Jessica Henry Gibbs
707-441-5655 online Customer Service Report:
csr.dot.ca.gov
County of Humboldt
707-445-7421 Public Works
RoadsDispatch@co.humboldt.ca.us
Abandoned Vehicles:
County Sheriff’s Office, 707-445-7251
City of Arcata
Engineering Administrative Staff
707-825-2128
Engineering@cityofarcata.org
Abandoned Vehicles:
Arcata Police Dept. at 707-822-2424
City of Eureka
707-441-4203 publicworks@ci.eureka.ca.gov
Abandoned Vehicles:
707-268-5232
eurekapoliceabatement@ci.eureka.ca.gov
HBBCA Board of Directors (Rev. 10/2/23)
(all phone numbers have 707 area codes)
President---------------------- Rick Knapp
499-5918(cell) email: info@humbike.org
Vice-President---------------- Brett Gronemeyer
845-2117(cell);
Secretary/Treasurer----------------Gail Popham
502-8030(cell)
Director of Planning-----open/available
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 2025
Your membership, 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 discounts on bike parts and accessories at Revolution Bicycle Repair and Adventure’s Edge. Discounts are typically 10%, but may vary. Membership cards include stickers on the back showing discounts offered by the various bike shops.
Enclosed: $_____dues ($5.00) $_____donation
Name_______________________________________________
Address_____________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Phone__________________(h)______________________(w)
____I’d rather receive my newsletter by email. This is my neatly printed email address:
_____________________________________________________________
Mail to HBBCA, P. O. Box 9054 Eureka CA 95502-9054