May 2009
WHEEL PEOPLE |
VOL. 28 NO. 3 |
May 2009 |
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Newsletter of the Humboldt Bay Bicycle Commuters Association P. O. Box 9054 Eureka CA 95502 THANKS TO THE NEW AND RENEWED MEMBERS FOR 2009 New Members:
Renewed Members for 2008:
Those with a ** have made additional donations to the HBBCA. Those with *** have made donations of $25 or more. NEXT REGULAR MEETING MAY 11TH IN EUREKA---NEW LOCATION!!
HELP PROMOTE BIKE MONTH BY PARTICIPATING IN EVENTS BEING PLANNED BY THE BIKE MONTH COALITION
May Is Bike Month Humboldt!
THANKS FOR ALL THE COMMERCIAL SPONSORS FOR BIKE MONTH The HBBCA would like to extend special thanks to Pro Sport Center, Henderson Center, Sport and Cycle, Revolution Bicycle Repair and Adventure’s Edge for donating prizes for the bike rallies. The Pro Sport Center donated a “ton” of Cannondale multi tools. We’ll give them to the first 25 people attending each rally. They are a $20 value. The Co-Op did a fantastic job in their advertised promoting Bike Month and all the events that are planned for the month. Thank you!! WIDENING OF OLD ARCATA ROAD RE-STARTED After a winter suspension, the widening and repaving of Old Arcata Road has begun again. According to a recent news release, the County indicated that work will include road widening and paving from Ole Hanson to the Indianola Roundabout; and paving from the Roundabout to Lily Lane; and widening and paving from Lily Lane to Stephens Lane. When completed this Summer/Fall, full paved shoulders will exist on Myrtle Avenue from Hall Avenue in Eureka to Route 101 in Arcata. This, along with the bike Lanes on Myrtle Avenue will yield a decent alternative for bike commuters not wanting to ride on the freeway/expressway between Eureka and Arcata. CALTRANS MEETS WITH LOCAL CYCLISTS REGARDING PLANS TO ADD RUMBLE STRIPS TO ROUTE 299 In response to the tragic death of Gregg Jennings on Route 299, and numerous run-off-the-road collisions, Caltrans- District 1has been planning to add rumble strips to virtually all of Route 299 between Route 101 and the Trinity County line. However, the HBBCA suggested Caltrans consider meeting with local cyclists to be sure the safety of cyclists would not be compromised by adding rumble strips to roadway sections where paved shoulders were non-existent or very narrow. In response to the suggestion, Caltrans met with seven cyclists (on April 9) in Arcata who regularly use the route in order to understand the nature and extent of bike usage and issues. It was a good meeting. Caltrans was very receptive to expressed concerns and suggestions. They will now go back to the drawing board to modify the proposal to be responsive to the needs of cyclists. Another meeting will be held in the near future when modifications are formalized. Cyclists were concerned that rumble strips not be included on uphill sections when shoulder widths were less than 3 – 4 feet; and downhills when shoulders are less than 6 – 8 feet. Caltrans offered an approach tested in other areas where gaps were included between lengths of rumble strips so that cyclists could enter and exit the shoulder in the gaps. Caltrans heard support for this strategy and will consider including the approach in a revised project scope.BLUE LAKE HATCHERY ROAD BIKE LANES UNDER CONSTRUCTION In about two months, Hatchery Road from the Mad River Bridge north to South Railroad Avenue (near the Logger Bar) in Blue Lake will have new, wider asphalt roadway with bike lanes. The bad news is that between now and then there will be construction. Right now there's only a little excavation for new curb ramps on both sides of Hatchery Road, but sometime in the next couple of weeks the contractor will grind up sections of poor asphalt before they put the new pavement down. Please be aware of loose gravel and construction equipment on Hatchery Road and in "Downtown" Blue Lake. PRO SPORTS OFFERS DISCOUNTS TO HBBCA MEMBERS Recently, Greg Mouton, Bike Manager at Pro Sports Center called Rick Knapp to tell him he’d like to offer a “10% discount to HBBCA members on everything they sell at the bike shop—including labor.” He also said they want to “step up their support of Bike Month.” A recent call from Greg indicated that through participation by Cannondale, they will be providing many prizes for Bike to Work Day rallies and other events. They will also do the tune-up tent at the May 20 noontime rally at the Gazebo in Eureka. The discount also applies to the New Outdoor Store in Arcata, owned by Pro Sports. VOLUNTEER!!!!! VOLUNTEER!!!! PLEASE…. The HBBCA is in desperate need for volunteers for a variety of endeavors: Board Members: We have a vacancy on our Board. Two of our Board members have served for many years and it is time for some new blood, with new ideas, to be introduced. Free mentoring included! Bike Month: There are many activities planned for Bike Month. Volunteers are needed to help plan and implement. Please checkout the article above for a list of events and activities. Action Plan: We need volunteers to help plan and implement strategies identified at the forum hosted in December. If you are interested in any of these endeavors, please contact a Board member or send an email to info@humbike.org; and attend the next meeting (See below). HBBCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
WHO TO CALL WHEN YOU SEE A SAFETY CONCERN (Revised 1/09)
PLEASE JOIN OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR 2009 With you membership card, request the following discounts on bike parts and accessories: 10% (or more) at Henderson Center Bicycles; 10% at Revolution Bicycle Repair; 10% at Adventure’s Edge; 10% at Pro Sport Center and the New Outdoor Store, and 15% at Sport and Cycle. If you are already a paid-up member and would like to start receiving your newsletters by email, please advise us at: info@humbike.org Newsletter of the Humboldt Bay Bicycle Commuters Association |
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