January 2017

WHEEL PEOPLE            Vol. 36  No.  1            January 2017

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 2017.   Please consider joining or renewing if you haven’t already.
 
Renewed Members
 
Jim & Gina Christopher, Eureka***
Debra Pecaut, Eureka**
Susan & Bob Ornelas, Arcata**
Will Dvorak & Carole Beaton, Eureka***
Revolution Bicycles, Eureka/Arcata**
Carl & Judy Cooper, Bayside**
Kevin Tucker, Eureka**
Nancy Reichard, Arcata***
Gail Popham, Eureka**
Patricia-Anne & George WinterSun, 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 all the bike shops.  See application at the end of the newsletter.                                           
                                            
The Next Regular Meeting will be Held on January 23rd in Eureka
 
The next regular HBBCA meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m., Monday, January 23rd, at Chapala’s Café at 2nd & C Streets in Eureka.  Dinner is optional. Agenda items may be suggested by emailing  info@humbike.org.  
 
Bicycling Calendar Included
 
A Bicycling Calendar is included in this newsletter so that you can track your mileage daily, weekly, and monthly for 2017.
 
New Bike Path added in Eureka
 
A new section of paved bike path was completed in Eureka on December 17th.   It joins the 1.4 mile Hikshari Trail that runs from the Herrick Avenue Park & Ride lot to Truesdale Street (near Shamus T-Bone Restaurant).   The just-completed Class I bike path extends another 1.2 miles to Del Norte Street (at Waterfront Drive/Del Norte Pier).  This provides a 5.2 mile roundtrip for those who want to ride, run or walk the path.   It has already become a favorite for dogs and their owners!   Cyclists should exercise caution, given a few tight curves and with pedestrians and dogs taking up all of the 8-10 foot width at times.    In riding it, it seems that the maximum safe speed on a bike is about 12-14 mph in most areas.
 
The next section, expected to start in early 2017, will extend the path all the way to C Street, another 1.2 miles, linking with the Old Town Boardwalk.
 
The HBBCA Arranges for Installation of Bike Rack in Eureka
 
Rick Knapp lobbied the US Bank Manager in Henderson Center to purchase a bike rack to serve customers at the bank and other users in the vicinity of the Post Office.   In December, the HBBCA acquired the rack and the City Public Works Department installed it.  The US Bank has committed to reimbursing the HBBCA for the $250 rack.
 
Members of the HBBCA, and other bike commuters are urged to lobby for bike racks at locations that need them to serve employees and customers.   Sometimes it takes awhile, but is worth it.   The City of Eureka has been willing to install them, purchased by others, if the rack serves the general public, too.
 
Sweeping Issues in the City of Eureka
 
The City of Eureka began contracting with Recology of Humboldt for street sweeping in July 2016.   That includes State highways in the City.   Residents need to keep a close eye on the service, as they train operators.  One common problem we have seen is that operators sometimes continue to sweep after the storage tank is full.   This results in a muddy trail and piles of dirt and debris spread along the roadway.   Rick Knapp has made several complaints on this.   Recently, they made a total mess of South Broadway, with piles of dirt, glass and whatever had been collected since it filled up.   Others are urged to call Recology if you see this happening.   Their phone is 442-5711.
 
Caltrans Releases Final Environmental Impact Report/Statement for Eureka-Arcata Route 101 Corridor Improvement Project
 
Caltrans has released the Final EIR/EIS for the above-referenced project.   It is available at  www.dot.ca.gov/dist1/d1projects/eureka_arcata, local libraries, and the Caltrans Eureka office.
 
Letter
 
Hey,
 
A little late here—please accept this as dues for 2016 & 2017 ($25 per year).  I appreciate HBBCA’s work.  I haven’t ridden my bike in several years, let alone commute with it.   I did the Arcata-Eureka commute in the 1980s and 90s.
 
Thanks.
 
Nancy Reichard, Arcata
 
 
First Meeting of the Bike Month Humboldt Coalition in January
 
The first meeting of the Bike Month Humboldt Coalition is scheduled for Wednesday, January 11, 2017, at the office of the Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) at 6th and I Streets in Eureka.   The meeting will be from noon until 1 pm.   If you are interested in being part of the coalition that plans Bike Month events in May of each year, contact Emily Sinkhorn at Redwood Community Action Agency (707-269-2061) or Rick Knapp (707-445-1097) of the HBBCA.
 
Who to Call When You See a Safety Concern (Rev. 4/2016)  
                                                                                                    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
Dan Ramirez, Maintenance Manager
(for maintenance-related concerns)
445-5327 daniel.r.ramirez@dot.ca.gov
 
County of Humboldt
Wendy Meeks, Dispatcher
445-7421 wmeeks@co.humboldt.ca.us
Abandoned Vehicles: Wally Williams,
County Sheriff’s Office, 268-2509
 
City of Arcata
Alynn Zdawczynski,
Public Works Administrative Assistant
822-5957 azdawczynski@cityofarcata.org
Abandoned Vehicles:
Arcata Police Dept. at 822-2424
 
City of Eureka
441-4203 publicworks@ci.eureka.ca.gov
Abandoned Vehicles:
eureka-policeabatement@ci.eureka.ca.gov;
phone 268-5232
 
HBBCA Board of Directors (Rev. 12/2016)
 
President---------------------- Rick Knapp
445-1097(h) email: info@humbike.org
Vice-President---------------- Brett Gronemeyer
845-2117(h); 445-6397(w)
Secretary/Treasurer---Gail Popham,
707-502-8030(cell)
Director of Publicity ----open/available
Director of Planning-----open/available
 
Contact Rick Knapp if you are interested in filing a vacant Board position.
 
 
 
 
Please Join or Renew Your Membership for 2017  
 
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, 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% at Revolution Bicycle Repair; 15% at Adventure’s Edge; 10% at Pacific Outfitters, 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