April 2023

Vol. 42  No. 2
                                                                                                                                                                          
Website: www.humbike.org
Email: info@humbike.org

New and Renewed Members of the HBBCA

The following are new and renewed members for 2023.   If you haven’t renewed your dues for 2023, they were due on January 1, as all dues expire on December 31.   An application is at the end of the newsletter.

Renewed Members for 2023 (since last newsletter)

Jennifer Johnson, Adventure’s Edge***
Mike & Bonnie Walund, Eureka**
Colin Fiske, Arcata**
Bob & Susan Ornelas, Arcata**
Lisa Hoover, Blue Lake***
Bruce Maxwell, Eureka**
Brett Gronemeyer & Lea Schroeder, Eureka***
Robert Thoman, McKinleyville**
Korina Johnson &   Alan Hale, Arcata**
Jim O’Garey, Eureka
Bob Morris, Eureka**
Patricia-Anne and George WinterSun, Eureka***
Justin Brown, Revolution Bicycles***
Mary Ann Madej, Arcata**
Richard Will, Eureka**
Kristi Wrigley, Eureka**
Katherine Bettis, Eureka**
Oona Smith, Arcata***
Wally Coppini, Rio Dell**
Steven Sipma/Noreen O’Brien, Eureka**
Philip & June Lescano, Eureka**
Mark Mueller, Eureka***

Those with a ** next to their name gave an additional donation. Those with *** have given a $25 or greater donation.   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 Pachanga’s Mexican Restaurant on Monday, April 17, 2023, in Eureka

The next meeting on Monday, April 17th, is open to all who are fully vaccinated and boosted. The dinner meeting will be in the back room at Pachanga’s Mexican Restaurant, 5th and S Streets, in Eureka. The meeting will start at 6 pm and end before 8 pm. The agenda will be set by those in attendance. One item sure to be on the Agenda will be Bike Month Humboldt (see article on next page).

Update on the HBBCA’s Insurance Issues

Last month, Brett Gronemeyer forwarded a message from Rick Knapp to all email members appealing for assistance with funding of our insurance obtained annually through the League of American Bicyclists (LAB). It turns out that several of you didn’t receive the message, as your email preferences caused it to be bounced. And, we didn’t send it to our postal customers.

The issue is essentially this: To qualify for insurance as a bicycle organization, you must first be a member of the LAB, which we are, then you are subjected to rates determined by answers to a series of questions. We qualify as an advocacy organization which has a base rate, currently just over $400 a year. However, since we do on-street training, we are assessed over $600 additional.  The last few years, the amount assessed for the on-street training keeps going up $150-200 per year. Our typical annual budget for the organization is about $2,000. So, at this rate, over half would go toward insurance. As a result of the solicitation of assistance, we received a total of $390 from generous members. Those that contributed were Carmen Gentile, Carole Beaton, Will Dvorak, Lisa Hoover, Nancy Reichard, and Rick Knapp. As a result of these donations, our 2023 budget has been made whole.  We thank those who helped bail us out. We don’t envision soliciting additional funding next year, but some changes in our bike training may have to occur. If anyone else would like to contribute to the cause, donations would be appreciated. Send checks to HBBCA and note they are for the insurance.

May is Bike Month—Bike Month Humboldt has Many Events Scheduled

To learn all about Bike Month Humboldt events, go to  bikemonthhumboldt.org. This year, our Chairman of the Bike Month Humboldt Coalition and HBBCA member, Stevie Luther, has developed a new website. We no longer have to pay “Love to Ride” to show our events on its website. Thanks, Stevie!!! Check it out.

This year, the Bike Challenge will be run by HBBCA member, Molly Martin. Participants will need to use the Strava app. This is due to terminating the relationship with Love to Ride due to its excessive cost and unresponsiveness to our needs.

The Bicycle Celebration & Expo will return to the Jefferson Center for a second year. If you missed it last year, don’t this year. Last year about 20 organizations and about 100 cyclists found it at 12th and A Streets, on the large lawn. It will be on Saturday, May 20th, 11-2.

The North Coast Co-Op will once again host energizer stations at their stores: Thursday, May 11th, Arcata, 0700-0930; and the same on May 18th in Eureka.

This year, the noontime Bike To Work Day Rally will be held at the Plaza in Arcata on May 18th.

For all the other events, some still being planned, check the website listed above. Look for posters at bike shops and other businesses.


Completion of the Bay Trail May Be Delayed

Completion of the “Final Four” (miles) between Eureka and Bracut may be delayed according to a recent report in the Collector—news brief of the Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities (CRTP). Here is what they reported on March 17, 2023:

Humboldt County is requesting that the California Transportation Commission extend the deadline for awarding a construction contract for the final four miles of the Bay Trail from May to October. The reason? Apparently "public concerns were raised about the project's legality and possible litigation." Message to whoever is out there threatening to sue: cut it out! Local residents have waited decades for a safe bike and pedestrian route between Eureka and Arcata, and shouldn't have to wait any longer.               

Letter to the Editor

Thanks so much for all these years of effective, valuable advocacy and activism.

Bob Ornelas, Arcata

Route 101 Indianola Interchange Project Beginning

After reading that the above titled project was beginning, Rick Knapp inquired to the Caltrans District Director, Matt Brady, regarding the HBBCA’s interest in being kept informed as to accommodation of bicyclists in the construction project. Jeffrey Zimmerer, North Region Construction Chief, responded. He said some tree removal was occurring February, and that long term work would be going into winter suspension. Significant work that would affect cyclists would start in spring/summer. The contractor is Granite Construction.  He said that traffic handling plans require a minimum 6-foot bike lane be maintained during construction. Vertical delineators are to be provided on the fog line whenever a concrete barrier is placed to the right of the bike lane. If you see non-emergency issues, report them to the Caltrans Customer Service Liaison, 707-441-5655.

Who to Call When You See a Safety Concern (Rev. 10/5/2022)  

The HBBCA checked 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
DispatcherRoadsDispatch@co.humboldt.ca.us
707-445-7421
Abandoned Vehicles: Wally Williams,
County Sheriff’s Office, 707-268-2509

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:
eureka-policeabatement@ci.eureka.ca.gov;
707-268-5232


HBBCA Board of Directors (Rev. 4/8/22)

President---------------------- Rick Knapp
445-1097(h) email: info@humbike.org
Vice-President---------------- Brett Gronemeyer
845-2117(cell);
Secretary/Treasurer---Gail Popham,
707-502-8030(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 2023 Now

The HBBCA is working to improve and encourage bicycle commuting.  Your $5.00 annual dues, paid 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 may vary now due to inventory shortages of some items.  Membership cards include stickers on the back showing discounts offered by the various bike shops.

Enclosed: $_____dues ($5.00)    $_____donation

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Mail to HBBCA, P.O. Box 9054 Eureka CA 95502-9054