September 2007

WHEEL PEOPLE VOL. 26 NO. 5         SEPTEMBER 2007
Newsletter of the Humboldt Bay Bicycle Commuters Association 
P. O. Box 9054 Eureka CA 95502

THANKS TO THE NEW AND RENEWED MEMBERS FOR 2007

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

New Members:

  • Jeannie Vanella, Arcata**
  • MLisa Dugan, Arcata
  • Brett Gronemeyer, Eureka**

Renewed Members:

  • Brian Acord, Arcata**
  • Doby Class, Director of Public Work and Arcata Traffic Safety Committee**
  • Dick & Lois Wild, Arcata**

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 A BIG SUCCESS
About 90 cyclists attended the two noontime rallies in Eureka and Arcata in May.   Another 40 or so took advantage of the “fuel up” opportunities on their way to work—at Crepes, Coffee and Cream in Eureka (next to Target) and at Arcata City Hall.  Check out our website at www.humbike.org               

NEXT REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 24TH IN EUREKA
The next regular HBBCA meeting will be held at Chapala’s Mexican Restaurant at 2nd and C Streets in Eureka on Monday, September 24th.  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.

HBBCA’S POSITION REGARDING THE EUREKA-ARCATA CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Caltrans has recently released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report for the Eureka - Arcata Route 101 Corridor Improvement Project.  The EIS/EIR proposes 3 build alternatives, and a "no-build" alternative.  All of the build alternatives would close the median crossings at Airport Road, Mid-City Motor World, the Simpson sawmill, Indianola Cutoff, Bracut, and Bayside Cutoff.  Alternative 2 ($55M) would add a compact diamond interchange at Indianola Cutoff.  Alternative 3 ($62M) would include the Indianola Cutoff interchange, and add a signalized intersection at Airport Road.  There are various other modifications to the highway that are common to all three build alternatives, including increasing the speed limit to 65 mph for all or most of the corridor.

A coalition of organizations interested in improved bicycle, pedestrian, and/or transit opportunities between Eureka and Arcata, including HBBCA, has formed to present a unified voice in opposition to any of the build alternatives presented.  It is our position that the safety corridor has been successful in reducing accident rates.  

All of the build alternatives will require cyclists entering the highway at some intersections to ride out-of-direction for some distance before coming to a legal crossing of the highway.  For example, the median closure at the Bayside Cutoff will require cyclists heading towards Eureka from Bayside to ride back to the Samoa Boulevard overcrossing in Arcata to enter the highway.  Several other issues with the build alternatives have been identified that will adversely impact cyclists.  We feel it is in the best interest of the community to invest in a bike/ped trail parallel to the highway, rather than committing several years' worth of local transportation funds to this project.

Public comments on the Draft EIS/EIR will be accepted by Caltrans until September 28, 2007.  The document can be viewed at http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist1/d1projects/envdocs.htm.  We encourage all members to review the document and provide comments accordingly.  We also encourage those interested to review the analysis and comments at http://www.green-wheels.org/node/212.

HBBCA’s “humbike” TAKES A NEW TRAIL ON THE INFORMATION SUPER HIGHWAY
In the middle on 2005, the Humboldt Bay Bicycle Commuters Association broke new trail onto the information super highway with its website www.humbike.org. Once again the HBBCA is laying down electronic rubber. This time it’s with its new email group, humbike@googlegroups.com.   This email group has been set up by HBBCA member Brian Acord.   Thanks, Brian.   [Unfortunately, Brian is leaving the area for a new professional opportunity, but his work will continue, with Scott Kelly taking the lead on this endeavor.]

HBBCA hopes this new email group will increase member participation in the Association and provide a venue for communication between members. Are you looking for a commute companion, or advice on a good cycling route from here to there? Drop a note to the email group. Wondering how to equip yourself and bike for commuting in the rain, or how to pack that valuable laptop for your ride to the office? Drop a note to the email group. The collective expertise/experience should be able to help you.  The email group will also provide an outlet for continuing discussions and updates of key issues affecting bicycle commuting in our communities.

It’s easy to join in. First you’ll want to check out the email group homepage at Google groups: http://groups.google.com/group/humbike If you haven’t received an invitation email to join the group, click “apply for group membership” and follow the directions to get plugged in. Once you’re a member, you can simply send your email to all members of the group by addressing it tohumbike@googlegroups.com. And if for some reason you find out that this isn’t for you, you can unsubscribe by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any of the group emails (humbike-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com). All group messages will have “[HBBCA]” amended to the subject line. Not only does this allow you to quickly identify the relevance of an email, it also allows you to filter these messages into a single folder, neatly organizing you emails.

HBBCA does ask that you use some basic email etiquette. All emails sent to the humbike Google group should contain an appropriate subject in the subject field and a signature including your name and location. Appropriate content for the group should directly relate to bicycle commuting in Humboldt County. Topics like road conditions & hazards, commute companions, route advice, public comment on cycling infrastructure, calls to action, or meeting announcements. Last, HBBCA does ask that you please refrain from posting commercial announcements or advertising to the email group.

So, next time you’re not spinning the wheels to work, commute on over to the information super highway and take a spin around our humbike Google group. 

HCAOG SUPPORTS HUMBOLDT BAY TRAIL
At its July 26th meeting, the Humboldt County Association of Governments unanimously voted to give priority support to the Humboldt Bay Trail project, directing staff to provide regular progress reports.  This was after many supporting speakers made their opinions known to the Board.   The action was follow-up to completion of a trail feasibility study by Alta Planning & Design.  

Several alternatives were studied for the trail which would skirt the railroad and Route 101 between Eureka and Arcata.   The biggest impediments are the lack of room for the trail and the cost.   If the trail  could occupy the railroad prism until such time as the railroad were to reappear, [should that ever happen], impediments would be lessened.   However, grant funding with an unknown future for the railroad would be problematic.

EXTENSION TO BIKE LANES IN EUREKA NEARLY COMPLETED
The bike lane extension on 7th Street between J Street and Myrtle Avenue is nearly complete along with new sidewalks.   It should be completed in September.

Also, check out the roadway extension on Waterfront Drive from the Adorni Center to I Street.   While not designated as a bike lane yet, it has a four foot shoulder and leads to the Waterfront bike lanes to the east.  There is no longer a complete dead end west of the Adorni Center.

LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLISTS (LAB) NEED YOUR HELP
Recently, the HBBCA received a plea for help from the LAB.   The need more members and donations to fight for the needs of bicyclists all over the nation, and more specifically in Washington D.C. where our tax dollars are earmarked.   They continue to work tirelessly for bicycle facilities funding and on campaigns to improve the safety for cyclists.   If you’d like to find out more or wish to join, log on to www.bikeleague.org; or you may send tax-deductible donations to LAB, 1612 K Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20006-2850.

HBBCA JOINS THE CALIFORNIA BICYCLE COALITION
The HBBCA, who already is a member of the national League of American Bicyclists, recently joined the California Bicycle Coalition.   The CBC works as a lobbying organization much in the same way the League of American Bicyclists does, except on a statewide basis in California.   The have been instrumental in establishing the Safe Routes to School Act, The Bicycle Transportation Account, and improvements to the DMV booklets and exams to recognize the rights of cyclists to share the road.  For more information, the CBC website is: www.calbike.org.

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