January 2013

WHEEL PEOPLE             Vol. 32  No.  1          JANUARY 2013

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

Website: www.humbike.org
Email: info@humbike.org
 
New and Renewed Members of the HBBCA
 
The following new and renewed members have become members for 2013.
 
New Members
 
Sylvia Fontaine, Eureka
Michael Slavin, Arcata**
 
Renewed Members
 
Stella Clark, Eureka
Brett Gronemeyer, Eureka**
JR Anderson, Whitethorn**
Will Dvorak & Carole Beaton, Eureka***
Gail Popham, Eureka**
Mike & Bonnie Walund, Eureka**
Lloyd McClelland, 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 who have given additional donations to support our many causes.
 
The Next Regular Meeting will be Held on January 28th in Eureka—Update on the Regional Transportation Plan to be Discussed
 
The next regular HBBCA meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m., Monday, January 28th, at Chapala’s Café, 2nd and C Streets in Eureka.  Dinner is optional.   Oona Smith, who is working for the Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) on the next Regional Transportation Plan will be in attendance.  She will   present information regarding the Plan update as well as on the “Complete Streets” element, which recognizes the need to consider the needs of non-motorized users in conjunction with the planning and development of transportation projects.   Additional agenda items may be suggested by emailing Rick Knapp at info@humbike.org.
                                                
Members Being Sought for the Eureka Transportation Safety Commission
 
There will soon be one or more vacancies on the Eureka Transportation Safety Commission (TSC).   It would be great if a member of our Association would be willing to volunteer.   Currently, Carole Beaton, HBBCA member, is serving.   She says that “it is not a lot of work, and we need a lot of bike input.”   The Commission advises City staff and the City Council on a wide range of transportation issues.   The TSC meets once a month, on the second Tuesday, from 2 – 4 p.m. at the City Council Chambers.   Please contact Rick Knapp, HBBCA President, ph. 445-1097, if you are interested in being considered.
                                                                                                                                      
The HBBCA donates funds toward bike trailer
 
The HBBCA has donated $250 toward the acquisition of a special trailer which will house bikes used at special bike-related events, such as bike rodeos held throughout the County.   In return, the trailer will include the HBBCA logo and website.   Funds for the trailer were raised by Brad Albee, a teacher at Alice Birney School and Melanie Williams of “BikesThere.com.
 
Route 101 Detour at Mad River Bridge Project Eliminated
 
The long-awaited elimination of the Mad River Bridge detour for cyclists has occurred.   In December, Caltrans announced that sufficient progress has been made on the project to allow cyclists to use the paved shoulders  instead of having to take a four mile detour through the Arcata Bottoms.  The entire project should be completed in Spring 2013.
 
If it’s Good Enough for LeBron James…………
 
How would you like to be more like LeBron James, arguably the best player the the NBA?   According to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle, dated December 20th, LeBron attributes his radically improved conditioning to taking up bicycle commuting.   At first he started riding his bike to “morning shoot-arounds.  Then to games.   After awhile, he was spending more time on bikes than in expensive cars, which he can well afford to drive and fill up with gas.  
 
The added conditioning is why he seems to have no problem logging 42 minutes in grueling NBA games.  After a recent game, LeBron said, “I felt great.   I could have played again if we had to.   Yeah, I’ve been biking a little more than usual.   It’s fun.  It’s also conditioning—it’s cardio.”  His bike trip from his home in Coconut Grove to the Miami arena is a 45 minute commute.  He said on one day he made the trek four times.  He also takes bike safety seriously.
“I’ve got lights on my bike,” James said.  “I’m serious.  This isn’t a joke.  Of course, safety first.”
 
Time to Renew Your Membership in the HBBCA
 
If you haven’t already done so, please consider renewing your commitment to the HBBCA for 2013.   For those of you reading this who aren’t members at this time, we hope you, too, will join.   See the application form at the end of this newsletter.   Note that you can save money as a member when you buy bike parts and accessories at bike shops.   And, for only $5 a year!!
 
How Biking Can Help Your Lose or Maintain Your Weight
 
The January 2013 issue of Bicycling included testimonials from 36 cyclists who lost 2,696 pounds, thanks to a commitment to serious bicycling.  Here is what some said:
 
“Start small.  Ride to work once or two days a week, then gradually work up to every day.”  Eric Combes, San Diego; lost 52 pounds
 
“I watch less TV and spend less time on the computer.  I think most people can truly give up an hour of that to go for a ride.”  Arik Kadosh, Arlington, South Dakota; lost 90 pounds
 
“I added lights to ride at night, and a bike rack and panniers to haul groceries around in.”  Chip Oflesby, Columbia, South Carolina; lost 65 pounds
 
“Make note of your results.   I started recording my mileage on a calendar so I could see the progress that I was making.”  Ryan Werenka  [get one at www.humbike.org.]
 
“Finding excuses to not ride at the end of a day is all too easy.   You’re tired, stressed.  But if you ride to work in the morning, riding is the only way home.”  Harry Ward
 
“Long after pounds started coming off, I realized my focus had shifted from losing weight to improving fitness.  When I started cycle-commuting, the question I asked when the weather turned was, ‘Will I ride today?’  The question I ask now is, ‘What do I need to wear?”  Michael Rounding, Calgary, Alberta; lost 20 pounds
 
So, if you aren’t using your bike for commuting because you don’t feel comfortable riding, or need some help to get started, contact Rick Knapp at 445-1097.  He will be happy to give you some one or one on-road training.
 
Who to Call When You See a Safety Concern (Rev. 1/2/2013)
 
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
Mark Suchanek, Deputy District Director
445-6393  Mark_Suchanek@dot.ca.gov
 
County of Humboldt
Wendy Meeks, Dispatcher
445-7421 wmeeks@co.humboldt.ca.us
Abandoned Vehicles: Wally Williams,
County Sheriff’s Office, 268-3629
 
City of Arcata
Monica Campbell,
Public Works Administrative Assistant
822-5957 pubworks@cityofarcata.org
 
Abandoned Vehicles:
Arcata Police Dept. at 822-2424
 
City of Eureka
Pearl Mendoza
Public Works Administrative Assistant
441-4192 pmendoza@ci.eureka.ca.gov
with cc: shutchison@ci.eureka.ca.gov
 
Abandoned Vehicles: Mary Kirby
mkirby@eurekapd.org, 268-5232
 
 
HBBCA Board of Directors (Rev. 1/2012)
 
President---------------------- Rick Knapp
445-1097(h) email: info@humbike.org
Vice-President---------------- Brett Gronemeyer
845-2117(h); 445-5390(w)
Secretary/Treasurer---Gail Popham,
445-5204(w)
Director of Publicity………… vacant
Director of Planning----- vacant
 
 
 
Please Join or Renew Your Membership for 2013 (Rev. 1/2013)
 
The HBBCA is working to improve and encourage bicycle commuting.  Help make it happen by joining now or renewing your membership for 2013. 
 
Your $5.00 annual dues, paid on a calendar year basis, will help pay for youth helmets, this newsletter, our website, BikeSmart promotions, Bike Month activities and prizes, postage, etc.   And, it will help demonstrate your commitment to our goal.
 
With your membership card, you may request the following discounts on bike parts and accessories: 10% (or more) at Henderson Center Bicycles; 10% at Revolution Bicycle Repair; 15% at Adventure’s Edge; 10% at Pro Sport Center, 10% at the Outdoor Store and 15% at Sport and Cycle.  Membership cards  include stickers on the back showing discounts offered by the various bike shops.
 
Enclosed: $_____dues    $_____donation
 
Name_______________________________________________
 
Address_____________________________________________
 
______________________________________________________
 
Phone__________________(h)______________________(w)
 
____I’d rather receive my newsletter by email.   This is my neatly printed email address:
 
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Mail to HBBCA, P.O. Box 9054 Eureka CA 95502-9054
 
For a full size membership form, go to this website:
http://www.humbike.org/sites/humbike.org/files/hbbca_mem_app.pdf