May 2007

WHEEL PEOPLE VOL. 26 NO. 3         MAY 2007
Newsletter of the Humboldt Bay Bicycle Commuters Association 
P. O. Box 9054 Eureka CA 95502

THANKS TO THE NEW AND RENEWED MEMBERS FOR 2006

The HBBCA thanks the following new members and renewed members for 2007.

New Members:

  • Steve Sipma & Noreen O’Brien, Samoa**

Renewed Members:

  • Humboldt Appropriate Technology/Bill Burton, Arcata**
  • Richard Will, Eureka**
  • T. Sage Tauber, Arcata**
  • Gail Popham, Eureka**
  • Mueller Human Power/Mark Mueller, Eureka***
  • Jay Dixon, M.D., Arcata**
  • Scott Kelly, McKinleyville**
  • Dan Van Kef, Eureka

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

BIKE TO WORK DAY EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR MAY IN EUREKA AND ARCATA
(See below for details. Please plan to participate to show your support for cycling in our region)

NEXT REGULAR MEETING MAY 21ST IN EUREKA
The next regular HBBCA meeting will be held at Chapala’s Mexican Restaurant at 2nd and C Streets in Eureka on Monday, May 21st. 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. The agenda is set by those who attend.

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. For more information, check the HBBCA website at www.humbike.org.

BIKE TO WORK MONTH IS MAY. SEVERAL LOCAL EVENTS PLANNED
Bike to Work Day is promoted around the country with a wide variety of fun and creative events designed to support and encourage bicycle commuting by experienced and new commuters alike. This year Humboldt County’s BTWD events kick off on Monday, May 7th, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Arcata Community Center Senior Dining Room, with a free bike safety check and a special screening of  Ted White’s  “Return of the Scorcher,” a delightful video celebration of bike commuting filmed in Europe, China and the US.

Helmet-wearing bicyclists are invited to fuel their commute between 7 and 9 a.m. with free coffee and pastry @ Crepes, Coffee and Cream So. 101 @ 3rd and Y Streets (near Target parking lot) in Eureka May 11th and on the lawn at Arcata City Hall 7th and F St. on May 18th.

Additionally, there will be noontime rallies in Eureka May 11th at the Gazebo in Old Town (followed by “Minimal Mass” through Old Town); and on the Arcata Plaza, May 18th. Join in the celebrations which include free snacks and prizes donated by local shops, the HBBCA and its members.

If you’d like to try bike commuting but aren’t really sure about the best route, how to pack,  or what to do in the event of a flat tire, email wheels@humboldt.edu or call HumPAL @ 269-2055 to be paired with an experienced commuter before and/or after work May 7th-18th between Trinidad and CR.

DOBY CLASS ADDRESSES HBBCA AT LAST MEETING REGARDING CONTROVERSIAL PROJECTS
At the HBBCA’s March 26th meeting, Doby Class, Arcata Director of Public Works, was in attendance. He spoke of bike projects he is pursuing. He said that the controversial Bayside Road project would be modified again by establishing a “Share the Lane” concept.

Last year, the City added a wide shoulder on the west side for pedestrians.   However, bicyclists going uphill had no shoulder. A sign was placed directing northbound bicyclists to the west side of the roadway (to join pedestrians and downhill cyclists), contrary to the rules of the road. After the HBBCA and other bicyclists complained, the sign was removed. However, uphill cyclists still have no place to ride but the traffic lane. According to Mr. Class, he plans to designate both lanes as “Share the Lane.” While that will legitimize cyclists in the lane, most cyclists would prefer to see bike lanes on each side instead of having 15 feet on one side and nothing on the other.

Another controversial undertaking has been recent sidewalk widening on G street for two blocks which have encroached on the bike lane, making the bike lanes illegal as not meeting State standards.

Another area of concern is the fact that merchants are demanding more parking and the City is planning to add more diagonal parking. Mr. Class asked about any known studies regarding bike lanes and diagonal parking. HBBCA Vice-President, Rick Knapp, told him that it was unsafe and illegal to place a bike lane behind diagonal parking.

Mr. Class described his plans to convert streets such and 10th and I streets into “bike boulevards.” He said he would use a combination of traffic calming techniques to slow traffic and accommodate bike traffic in the traffic lane. He referred to similar facilities in Berkeley. Board Member, Jen Rice, said she had ridden some of these and considered them a fun place to ride.

MAD RIVER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT IS PROGRESSING
According to Caltrans, a $45 million project to replace both the northbound and southbound bridges on 101 over the Mad River is to begin in 2008. The project will result in 10 foot shoulders for bikes and a separate pedestrian facility. While it isn’t expected to be completed until 2013, it is encouraging to see the project nearing construction.

WHO TO CALL WHEN YOU SEE A SAFETY CONCERN (Revised 3/07)
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)
     

JOIN THE HBBCA TODAY OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR 2007
The HBBCA is working to improve and encourage bicycle commuting. Help make it happen by joining now or renewing your dues for 2007. 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. Click here for 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