January 2023
Vol. 42 No. 1
Website: humbike<dot>org
Email: info<at>humbike<dot>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.
New Members for 2023
Carrise Geronimo, Arcata
Renewed Members for 2023 (since last newsletter)
Danny Benadum, Eureka**
Rees Hughes, Arcata**
Lisa Hoover, Blue Lake ***
Will Dvorak & Carole Beaton, Eureka***
Rick Knapp, Eureka***
Carl & Judy Cooper, Bayside**
Frances & Jim Maunder, Eureka
Gail Popham, 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 Carmela’s Mexican Restaurant in Arcata on January 23, 2023
The next meeting on Monday, January 23rd, is open to all who are fully vaccinated and boosted. The dinner meeting will be at Carmela’s Mexican Restaurant, 13th and G Streets in Arcata. The meeting will start at 6 pm and end before 8 pm. The agenda will be set by those in attendance.
Bike Safety Tips for 2023
By Rick Knapp, President
1. Get a helmet-mounted Rear-view Mirror---Know what is happening behind you at all times—not just when you look over your shoulder for a “snapshot in time.” It will allow you to ride more safely and defensively. Some think they don’t need it. I guess they don’t need them in their car, either.
A “Third Eye” model works great. Fasten it to your helmet with duct tape, Shoe Goo or Zip ties. Mount it with the mirror extending about 1 ½” in front of the front of the helmet (excluding any visor) for best viewing. Use it when you need to move into the traffic lane to avoid parked cars, when approaching a narrow road, to make a left hard turn, etc. When safe to do so, point to where you intend to go to alert traffic approaching from behind.
2. Always wear bright clothing and use front & rear flashing lights even in the daytime---Even the distracted drivers look up every couple of blocks; if you are seen ¼ mile away, you have a far better chance than those wearing “black (jacket) on black (road).”
3. Take BikeSmart training---to learn to be more comfortable riding in traffic and to be a safe, effective and defensive cyclist, contact Rick Knapp at 707-445-1097 to schedule free on-street training in Eureka.
4. Announce your intent to pass others—especially on bike paths by saying “on your left.” Be sure they hear you before passing so not to scare other trail users. You will often hear trail users saying “thank you.” [Of course, there are those with headphones that won’t hear anything.]
Eureka Lands Big Grants
At its December 2022 meeting, the California Transportation Commission voted $2.3 million for the City of Eureka’s C Street Boulevard project and $9.0 million for the City’s Bay to Zoo Trail project. Funding for C Street is for the 2023/24 fiscal year while the funding for the Bay to Zoo project is for the 2023/24 through 2025/26 fiscal year, recognizing much needs to be done in design and right of way acquisition before construction can begin.
The City has promised the HBBCA that they will conduct a community meeting for the C Street project, as some elements may be controversial for C Street residents.
Arcata Conducts Pop-up Demonstration for 8th and 9th Street Project
On Saturday, October 1, the City of Arcata and its consultant conducted a demonstration pop-up on 8th Street between K and J Streets to demonstrate one possible option for converting a portion of 8th and 9th Streets to one way operation. Rick Knapp and Nancy Reichard attended. Nancy is HBBCA’s representative on the Task Force studying the options. The option demonstrated had one traffic lane and a bike lane along the curb on the left side of the roadway and diagonal vehicle parking on the right side. Neither Nancy or I support that, having the only left side bike lane in the City just so they can have more diagonal parking on the right side. We’d prefer no bike lane at all than that! Other cyclists that showed up at the event felt the same as we did.
Letter to the Editor
I appreciated the history of the association in the October Wheel People—the steps, the leaps, the persistence that commemorates the 40 years.
Also, thank you for the article honoring Betty Jain. She was a dear friend and mentor of mine. I have some fond pictures of her in my home including one of her daughter, two of her sons, Ray Glover (bike builder) and myself lined up to ride from Arcata to Trinidad and back on Betty’s 80th birthday. Way cool. By the way, Peter Jain wanted me to thank you for the article.
Lisa Hoover, Blue Lake
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<at>humbike<dot>org
Vice-President---------------- Brett Gronemeyer
845-2117(cell);
Secretary/Treasurer---Gail Popham,
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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Phone__________________(h)______________________(w)
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Mail to HBBCA, P.O. Box 9054 Eureka CA 95502-9054