July 2008

Wheel People

VOL. 27 NO. 4      

 July 2008
Newsletter of the Humboldt Bay Bicycle Commuters Association
P. O. Box 9054 Eureka CA 95502

THANKS TO THE NEW AND RENEWED MEMBERS FOR 2008

The HBBCA thanks the following new members and renewed members for 2008.

Renewed Members for 2008:

  • Tim Daniels, Arcata***
  • Kathleen Tillinghast, Eureka**
  • Bob Ornelas, Arcata***
  • Carlo Capaldi, Eureka**

A special thanks to those who sent donations to the HBBCA, noted by **.
Those with a *** gave $25 or more.
 

THANKS FOR THE GENEROSITY OF HBBCA MEMBERS
Thanks again to the many members of the HBBCA who have generously donated in addition to their dues in support of the goal and objectives of the HBBCA.   This generosity has allowed the HBBCA to maintain its dues at $5.00 per year for the 25 years of its existence despite the increasing cost of doing business.

NEXT REGULAR MEETING JULY 28th IN ARCATA
The next regular HBBCA meeting will be held at Luzmila’s/Carmela’s Mexican Restaurant at 13th and H Streets in Arcata on Monday, July 28th.  Those interested in joining us for dinner can order at 6:00 p.m.  The meeting will begin at 6:30.  The meeting is open to the public.  Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.  For more information, check the HBBCA website at  www.humbike.org.

BIKE TO WORK EVENTS WERE A BIG SUCCESS
Approximately 150 cyclists attended bike to work rallies and fuel-up stations on May 16 and May 23rd in Eureka and Arcata.    This was our best turnout yet.

Special thanks go to the Co-Op for their efforts in promoting the events and hosting the fuel-up stations.  Check out the “humbike.org” website in early July for photos from the events.  Congratulations to employees of Caltrans and Wing Inflatables for winning the “best business participation” awards.   Runner-up awards went to State Parks and the City of Arcata.   The City of Arcata showed off their recent award from the League of American Bicyclists for achieving Bronze status as a bicycle-friendly community.

ROAD I COURSE TO BE GIVEN IN AUGUST
A League of American Bicyclists’ training course will be offered in August for those interested in completing the “Road I” class.   This is a prerequisite for those who would like to teach League-certified bike safety classes.   And, it is also an excellent opportunity to hone your bicycling skills.

The class, is a two day, 9-hour class.   It is scheduled for August 22-23 in the Eureka area.   A specific location will be determined at a later date.

The class will give cyclists the confidence they need to ride safely and legally in traffic or on a trail.   The course covers bicycle safety checks, fixing a flat tire, on-bike skills and crash avoidance techniques and includes a student manual.

It is recommended for adults and children above the age of fourteen. 

Equipment required: A functioning bicycle; fitted bicycle helmet; and a desire to be a safe and effective cyclist.  Cost: $45.

The class will be taught by P. A. WinterSun, a League of American Bicyclists’ Cycling Instructor (LCI#1664).   She will be assisted by Rick Knapp, Vice-President of the HBBCA, and instructor for the HBBCA’s BikeSmart Program for the last 15 years.

To enroll in the class, please contact Peter Jarausch at 822-5832.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear HBBCA,

Here’s my dues for the last two or three years!

Thanks so much for all the volunteering you do for the biking community.

It’s ironic that you would make dues so low when your work and representation are priceless.

Keep it up!

Bob Ornelas
Sunnybrae-Arcata

BIKE IMPROVEMENTS SLATED FOR HUMBOLDT COUNTY ROADS
According to Deputy Public Works Director, Chris Whitworth, the bicycling community can look forward to the following improvements in the months ahead:

Myrtle Avenue, Hall to Mitchell Heights: They have a low bid and award is pending.   They expect it to process by the first week of July.  The project includes removal of the raised walkway on Ryan Slough Bridge and establishment of 6-foot shoulders.

(Long awaited) Old Arcata Road, north of Three Corners: This project is in the process of being bid and hopefully will begin this summer.   This will result in paved shoulders for bicyclists.

Hiller Avenue, McKinleyville Avenue to Central: Paving was to begin in early June, which will result in 5-6 foot shoulders.

Freshwater Road, Three Corners to Henry Lane: Bike lanes will be established. (schedule not provided).

Union Street, Higgins to Eureka City limit: To be widened to provide 6-foot shoulders in summer ’09.

Central Avenue (McK), Bartow Road to Bella Vista: Will be widened to provide 6-foot shoulders in summer ’09.

Quite an impressive assortment of projects that will benefit cyclists.

DEPUTY SHERIFF WHO KILLED TWO CYCLISTS IN CUPERTINO TO BE CHARGED
According to an article in the June 20 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Deputy Sheriff who allegedly fell asleep before crossing the centerline of a Cupertino street, killing two cyclists will face misdemeanor manslaughter charges.

On May 8, 2008,  a Sunday morning, Deputy James Council crossed the centerline on Stevens Canyon Road and struck three cyclists head-on, killing two—Matt Peterson, 29, of San Francisco, and Kristy Gough, 30, of San Leandro.  The deputy has been on administrative leave from the Sheriff’s office since the crash.  If convicted, Council could face two years in County jail.  There were no drugs or alcohol involved.

According to the District Attorney, felony manslaughter charges were not pursued since it was concluded that he was not driving recklessly (e.g., no drugs or alcohol, no driving infractions).

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOLS SUMMIT A SUCCESS
HumPal’s June 3rd Safe Routes to Schools Summit was a attended by 55 people with a wide variety of responsibilities and an interest in getting Humboldt County’s children walking and biking safely to school whenever possible.

Guest presenter, Nora Cody, Safe Routes Coordinator for Alameda County, shared success stories, presented lesson plans, and introduced participants to the process of developing Safe Route to School plans.

There was overwhelming agreement that there is a need for county-wide coordinated efforts to develop additional, safe routes for children to walk or bike and for education and encouragement of parents around these issues.

PLEASE RENEW YOUR DUES FOR 2008
Please renew your dues for 2008. All memberships expired December 31, 2007 unless extensions have already been paid. See form at the end of the newsletter. Some of you who receive your newsletter by email might not be aware of the expiration.   If you aren’t sure, contact Rick Knapp at 445-1097.

WHO TO CALL WHEN YOU SEE A SAFETY CONCERN (Revised 3/08)
The HBBCA checked with agencies in the Humboldt Bay region to determine whom to contact if you see a condition that needs to be corrected in order to improve safety or convenience for cyclists. This might include a pothole in the bike lane, accumulated debris on a roadway shoulder, the need to re-stripe a bike lane, or the need to clear vegetation encroaching on the shoulder.

Of course, if you see a condition that requires immediate emergency action,
call 9-1-1. For other conditions, the following is provided:

HBBCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • President------------------------Scott Kelly
    839-3614(h); 839-4336(w)
    Email: info@humbike.org
     
  • Vice-President/Treasurer----Rick Knapp
    445-1097(h)
     
  • Director of Publicity-----------Will Dvorak
    445-4229(h)-before 8pm; 441-8809(w)
     
  • Director of Planning-----------Jennifer Rice
    442-4630(h); 269-2060(w)
     

BIKESMART CLASSES ONGOING
Contact Rick Knapp (445-1097) to enroll your children in a BikeSmart class this summer.   Personal classes are also available for adults wanting to become safe and effective bike commuters.

JOIN THE HBBCA TODAY OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR 2008
The HBBCA is working to improve and encourage bicycle commuting. Help make it happen by joining now or renewing your dues for 2008. Your $5.00 annual dues, paid on a calendar year basis, will help pay for insurance, youth helmets, this newsletter, our website, promotions, special events, postage, etc. And, it will help demonstrate your commitment to our goal. Please click here to download our Membership Application.

If you are already a paid-up member and would like to start receiving your newsletters by email, please advise us at: info@humbike.org

Newsletter of the Humboldt Bay Bicycle Commuters Association
P. O. Box 3054 Eureka CA 95502