July 2022

Vol. 41  No. 3       July 2022                                                                                                                                                                          

Website: www.humbike.org
Email: info@humbike.org

New and Renewed Members of the HBBCA

The following are new and renewed members for 2022.   If you haven’t renewed your dues for 2022, 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 2022

Rick Boman, Eureka
Eric Witt, Eureka
Dalton Lee, Blue Lake, Wild Trail Tours**
Loren Cannon, Eureka**

Renewed Members for 2022

Mike Chatfield, Arcata***
Brett Gronemeyer & Lea Schroeder, Eureka**
Kassandra Grimm, Eureka
Korina Johnson & Alan Hale, Arcata
Mitchell Higa, McKinleyville**
Molly Martin, Eureka**
Stevie Luther, Eureka**
Robert Schultze & Sonja Schultze-Huff, 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.    

July Meeting Canceled

The July 25th dinner meeting has been canceled due to high Covid-19 cases in Humboldt County. Hopefully, things will improve prior to our next regular meeting scheduled for October 24, 2022.

Bike Month Humboldt 2022 a Success

The Bike Month Humboldt Coalition self proclaims Bike Month as a success. It was nice to be able to undertake events again. We even did a new one this year—at the expense of the Thursday Bike to Work Day rallies. The new event was a three hour Bicycle Celebration on Saturday, May 21st, at the Jefferson Community Center in Eureka. Approximately 15 agencies and interest groups participated. Over 100 people attended the event. It seemed to be well received by those who participated. Check out the humbike.org website for photos from the event.

City of Arcata Studying Conversion of 8th and 9th Streets to One Way

The City is undertaking a study to consider ways to convert 8th and 9th Streets between I Street and K Street to one way and “to provide additional area for bicycle and pedestrian amenities while improving access to the Plaza and connectivity to Cal Poly, the Creamery District and Northtown.” The HBBCA was offered the opportunity to provide stakeholder representation. Long time member, Nancy Reichard, graciously agreed to represent the HBBCA.

A first meeting was held on June 27th. Nancy reports that the City has received an $800,000 grant to convert the subject blocks. The team met at the Co-Op parking lot, and eventually walked and talked while reviewing the project streets. Nancy said, “It was fascinating to do a slow, attentive walk just on those streets. I’ve lived in Arcata for almost 50 years(!!) and it’s surprising how many things you don’t notice until you have reason to. A primary intent of this project is to make these 2-block 8th & 9th Streets corridors into pleasant, inviting, safe thoroughfares between downtown and the Creamery District. The two areas are not as far apart as they seem….we all observed and commented on that. Some improvements to the 8th/9th & K Street intersections will be part of this project.”

Next, the consultant will draft some design options for review at a second meeting, expected to be online. Nancy will update us as the process continues.

HBBCA Seeks Bus and Bike Improvements in front of Joanne’s Fabrics in Eureka

At our last meeting, Kassandra Grimm brought up concerns about buses parking in the bike lane in front of Joanne’s Fabrics on Harris Street between F and G Street. On April 27, Rick Knapp talked to HTA General Manager, Greg Pratt. He explained that one or two buses are typically parked halfway within the bike lane at this location. The bike lane has sunken several inches as a result. Cyclists have to enter the traffic lane every time buses are parked there. Rick found that the sidewalk in that location is over 18 feet wide and suggested that a project be undertaken to widen into the sidewalk 4 feet to create a bus turnout. Greg thought it was a good idea and said he would talk to Jesse Willor, City Engineer, about it. No word yet.

California Coastal Commission Permit Clears the Way for the Final 4 Miles of Waterfront Trail Construction

At its April 2022 meeting, the California Coastal Commission issued its permit to Humboldt County to clear the way to pursue completion of  the final 4.25 miles of trail, “the Humboldt Bay Trail South. When complete, the trail will be 14 miles long, stretching from central Arcata to the southern end of Eureka. Hank Seemann, Humboldt County’s Deputy Director of Environmental Services, said construction should begin in early 2023 and be completed by fall 2023----Oh, “if all goes well.”

It is Possible that W and Dolbeer Streets Could be Converted to One Way in Eureka

The HBBCA was told by Mayor Susan Seaman during Bike Month that the City would test making W and Dolbeer Streets one lane one way streets with bike lanes. This is a project the HBBCA has advocated for over 5 years. It would create room for cyclists, calm traffic in the area of the Zoo and Sequoia Park and provide for safe entrance and exits from vehicles and for pedestrian street crossings. Both streets were recently paved and we hope the City will test the concept before placing any permanent traffic stripes. Advocate if you can!!

Elk River Estuary Enhancement Project Underway

The City of Eureka began contract construction of tidal marsh habitat restoration and public access improvements on 114 acres of City owned property located north and south of Elk River bound by Pound Road, US 101, Tooby Road (at Humboldt Hill Interchange) and Humboldt Bay. Construction began in June. Included in the project is one mile of Class 1 multi-use trail which connects to the existing WaterfrontTrail about ¼ mile west of the Herrick Road Park and Ride. It will terminate without connecting to any paved roadway.

Bike Lanes to Be Restored in July in Eureka??

Rick Knapp has received a commitment that the following bike lanes will be restriped in July: Harris Street, including Sharrows at east end; Wabash Avenue; Waterfront Drive, including the gap between the Adorni and the Aquatic Center; Myrtle Avenue; and J Street.

Who to Call When You See a Safety Concern (Rev. 4/2022)  

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
Dispatcher
707-445-7421 RoadsDispatch@co.humboldt.ca.us
Abandoned Vehicles: Wally Williams,
County Sheriff’s Office, 268-2509

City of Arcata
Melanie Dabill
Public Works Administrative Assistant
707-825-2128 mdabill@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 2022

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; Adventure’s Edge; and Pacific Outfitters. 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.

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