January 2006

HAPPY BICYCLING NEW YEAR!!!!!!!

THANKS TO THE NEW AND RENEWED MEMBERS FOR 2005
New Members:
Chris Rall, Arcata
Tony LaBlanca, Arcata
Renewed Members:
Rick Knapp, Eureka **
Rees Hughes, Arcata**
Gordon Leppig, McKinleyville***
Jack Nash, Eureka ***
Janet Biasca, Eureka **
Carl Cooper, Bayside
Jan Rowen, Eureka **
Will Dvorak & Carole Beaton, Eureka ***
JR Anderson, Whitethorn**
Martin Smuckler, Arcata**
Edward & Judy Webb, McKinleyville**
Jean & David Durbin, McKinleyville**
Linda Doerflinger, McKinleyville**
Lloyd McClelland, Eureka **
Oona Smith, Arcata**
Daryl & Phyllis Chinn, Arcata
Tim Daniels, Eureka **

A special thanks to those who have given donations to the HBBCA, noted by **.
Those with a *** gave $25 or more.

NEXT REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 23 IN EUREKA —JOHN WOOLEY TO ATTEND
The next regular HBBCA meeting will be held at Chapala's Mexican Restaurant at 2 nd and C Streets in Eureka on Monday,
January 23rd. It will be a dinner meeting (dinner optional), starting at 6:00 p.m. The meeting itself will begin at 6:30. The meeting is open to the public. John Wooley, County Supervisor , will be there. Other agenda items known to date include discussion of the May 2006 Bike to Work Day; and Recognition of Bike Friendly Businesses. For more information, check the HBBCA website atwww.humbike.org .

PLEASE RENEW YOUR DUES NOW
Please consider renewing your membership in the HBBCA for 2006. See the application at the end of the newsletter. Your membership card is accepted for discounts at two of the local bike shops: 15% on parts and accessories from Sport and Cycle; and 10% from Henderson Center Bicycles. Be sure to ask for your discounts.

NCRA MEETING ON JANURAY 11
HBBCA Member, Chris Rall reports that the North Coast Railroad will have its next regular meeting in Eureka on January 11, 10:00 a.m. (Unfortunately, it is close to the date you will receive this.) The meeting will be in the Eureka City Council Chambers. He suggests that members that are interested might want to attend to express public support to begin research for development of a bike trail in the right of way between Eureka and Arcata during its public testimony agenda item. Future Eureka meetings will be held on April 12 and October 11. You may also send an email to: info@northcoastrailroad.org .

AIR QUALITY DISTRICT FUNDS BICYCLE SKILLS GUIDE
The Redwood Community Action Agency was successful in securing grant funding in the amount of $10,000 to develop a skills guide for children. When completed it will be a great supplement for training provided in the HBBCA's BikeSmart Program.

NOMINATIONS SOLICITED FOR BIKE FRIENDLY BUSINESS AWARDS
If you believe a business or agency has been particularly friendly toward bicycle commuters, please nominate that business for our Bike Friendly Business award. An example of a friendly business would be one that has recently installed bike racks or lockers for its patrons and employees. Maybe even showers for its employees! If you would like to enter a nomination, please attend the next meeting or email us at info@humbike.org

HBBCA BOARD MEMBERS SPEAK OUT AGAINST UNSAFE BIKE RIDING BY PROTESTERS 
HBBCA Board Members and other members have spoken out in opposition to unsafe bike riding that has occurred by those gathering to protest the war. While the Board is not opposed in any way to lawful demonstrations, it is opposed to illegal and unsafe bike riding. The HBBCA has worked hard to teach safe bike riding and to improve the image of bicycle commuters. The actions of those who chose to take the traffic lane on the freeway could have caused serious accidents; and has caused a backlash from motorists who do not appreciate bicyclists who delay motorists unnecessarily. Such actions can make it more dangerous for law abiding bicyclists who can end up a target by angry motorists.

BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION ACCOUNT (BTA) RECEIVED A HIT FROM GOVERNOR'S VETO
As reported in the last newsletter, the Governor vetoed, SB 523 (Torlakson(, which would have maintained the BTA at its current level of $7.2 million per year. Even with the veto, the BTA will have $5 million per year available for local grants.

NEW FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION ACT ENACTED
The new federal transportation act was enacted in August 2005. It has the clumsiest acronym yet—“SAFETEA-LU.” Within the $286.5 billion act is roughly $4 billion for bike paths and bike-related programs over the next five years. It is considered the best act ever  for bicycling. Some of the key programs of interest to bike commuters include:

• Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Grants--$2.3 billion
• Safe Routes to School--$612 million
• Transportation Enhancements—$3.5 billion. This has been typically referred to as the TEA Program and has been a major source of funds for bike projects nationwide as well as locally. Widening for bike lanes on roads like Fairway Drive and Walnut Drive came from the TEA Program administered by the Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG). So much for acronyms!!

WHO TO CALL WHEN YOU SEE A SAFETY CONCERN (Revised 11/05)
The HBBCA has checked with agencies in the Humboldt Bay region to determine whom to contact if you see a condition that needs to be corrected in order to improve the safety or convenience for cyclists. This might include a pothole in the bike lane, accumulated debris on a roadway shoulder, the need to re-stripe a bike lane, or the need to clear vegetation encroaching on the shoulder.

Of course, if you see a condition that requires immediate emergency action,
call 9-1-1. For other conditions, the following is provided:

Caltrans
Mark Suchanek, Deputy District Director 445-6393 Mark_Suchanek@dot.ca.gov

County of Humboldt
Wendy Meeks, Dispatcher 445-7491 wmeeks@co.humboldt.ca.us
Abandoned Vehicles:
Wally Williams, County Sheriff 's Office 268-3629

City of Arcata
Monica Campbell, Public Works Administrative Assistant 822-5957pubworks@arcatacityhall.org
Abandoned Vehicles:
Ph. Arcata Police Dept. at 822-2424

City of Eureka
Susan Hutchison, Public Works Administrative Assistant, 441-4192shutchison@ci.eureka.ca.gov
Abandoned Vehicles: City Council Chamber 
Email: mkirby@epd.org Ph. 268-5232

JOIN THE HBBCA TODAY OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR 2006
Click here for our Membership Application