March 2006

VOL. 25 NO. 2

THANKS TO THE NEW AND RENEWED MEMBERS FOR 2006
New Members:
Tony LaBlanca, Arcata**
Jim Childs, Bayside**

Renewed Members:
Gail Popham, Eureka **
Anne & James Robbins, Eureka
Carman Gentile, Eureka **
Robert Berg, Eureka **
John Gahn, McKinleyville***
Kristi Wrigley, Eureka ***
Frank Schmidt, Arcata**
Stan Calkins, Kneeland**
Scott Kelly, McKinleyville**
Mike & Laura Cent, Eureka **
Dick Wild, Arcata***
Richard Will, Eureka **
Holly & Ron Vetter, Eureka **
Will Spurling, Henderson Center Bicycles, Eureka ***
Wally West, Redway**
Shaun Case, Eureka **
Robert & Sas Burnett, Arcata**
Michael Lau, Eureka **
Mike & Bonnie Walund, Eureka **
Arcata Library Bikes**
Carol & Dan Stafford, Stafford Glass, Eureka ***
Steve Gustafson, Arcata**
Mark Mueller, Eureka ***
Gregg Gold, Arcata**
Robert Thoman, Jr., McKinleyville

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

NEXT REGULAR MEETING MARCH 27TH—JOHN WOOLEY TO ATTEND

The next regular HBBCA meeting will be held at Luzmilla's Mexican Restaurant at 13 th and G Streets in Arcata on Monday, March 27th. It will be a dinner meeting (dinner optional), starting at 6:00 p.m. The meeting itself will begin at 6:30. The meeting is open to the public . John Woolley, County Supervisor , will be there. He had to cancel before the last meeting when he was scheduled to attend. Other agenda items known to date include discussion of the May 2006 Bike to Work Day Rallies, scheduled for May 18 in Eureka and May 19 th in Arcata. Please mark you calendars and plan to attend. For more information, check the HBBCA website atwww.humbike.org .

BIKE TO WORK DAY RALLIES TO BE HELD IN EUREKA AND ARCATA MAY 18 AND MAY 19

On Thursday, May 18 th , we'll be at the Gazebo at 2 nd and F Street . Starting at 11:45 a.m. , we will have snacks, drinks and free raffle tickets for all those who rode a bike to the rally. We award prizes to the bike commuter that rode the furthest, the organization with most participants, and to winners of the free drawings The awards and raffle will begin about 12:20 p.m. , followed by a quick ride through Old Town before returning to work.

On Friday, May 19 th , we'll follow the same schedule at the Plaza in Arcata, followed by a short ride around the G and H Street couplet.

Anyone needing assistance with riding to work or school is encouraged to contact us at info@humbike.org . We can set up prospective bike commuters with experienced riders that can provide guidance about preparing your bike, what to wear, the best route to take, how long to allow, and what to do with your bike when you get there. For more information, check our website at www.humbike.org

PLEASE RENEW YOUR DUES NOW
Please consider renewing your membership in the HBBCA for 2006. See the application at the end of the newsletter. Your membership card is accepted for discounts at two of the local bike shops: 15% on parts and accessories from Sport and Cycle; and 10% from Henderson Center Bicycles. Be sure to ask for your discounts.

ARCATA RECEIVES GRANT FOR VARIETY OF BIKE-RELATED PROJECTS
The City of Arcata has received a $170,000 grant from the State's Bicycle Transportation Account. That, along with a $28,500 local match, will provide funding for restriping bikeways, bike lockers and covered bike parking at the City's Intermodal facility, will provide support for Library Bikes, and support for bike safety and bike to work events.

CYCLISTS RIDE AMOK
This letter appeared in the January/February 2006 issue of Adventure Cyclist, written by a bicycle commuter in Brooklyn , New York , and unfortunately much of what it says applies to the Humboldt Bay Region.

“I commute to work by work by bicycle in New York City . In the last four years, many new bicycle lanes have been added to city streets, and all of the East River bridges are now bicycle accessible. “Transportation Alternatives” has been a vociferous and persistent advocate for cycling safety here, and I comment all that has been done. Cycling here has definitely improved. The new lanes helped cyclists gain a road presence. I certainly find that drivers are more aware and more used to cyclists now than in the past.

However, neither “Transportation Alternatives” nor John Schubert adequately addresses an issue that is looming out there. The cyclists here have become lawless, passing through red lights without stopping or looking, riding against traffic on major avenues and small streets, using bike lanes on one-way streets the wrong way, and riding on the sidewalks. This type of activity places cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists at risk. The attitude is that the rules don't apply to bicyclists.

Where is the personal responsibility of the cyclist in this picture? Until cyclists are accountable no amount of advocacy will obtain equal rights with motorists. Cyclists themselves bear the burden of proving that they bicycle is a safe, dependable method of transportation and needs to be included in city planning as such. Predictable, safe, law-abiding cycling is a requisite for making serious inroads into advancing cyclists' rights.”

Fran Dirks

Brooklyn , New York

WHO TO CALL WHEN YOU SEE A SAFETY CONCERN (Revised 11/05)
The HBBCA has 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 the 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:

Caltrans
Mark Suchanek, Deputy District Director 445-6393 Mark_Suchanek@dot.ca.gov

County of Humboldt
Wendy Meeks, Dispatcher 445-7491 wmeeks@co.humboldt.ca.us
Abandoned Vehicles:
Wally Williams, County Sheriff 's Office 268-3629

City of Arcata
Monica Campbell, Public Works Administrative Assistant 822-5957pubworks@arcatacityhall.org
Abandoned Vehicles:
Ph. Arcata Police Dept. at 822-2424

City of Eureka
Susan Hutchison, Public Works Administrative Assistant, 441-4192shutchison@ci.eureka.ca.gov
Abandoned Vehicles: City Council Chamber 
Email: mkirby@epd.org Ph. 268-5232

HBBCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS (click here for contact info)

JOIN THE HBBCA TODAY OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR 2006
Click here for our Membership Application