April 2016
WHEEL PEOPLE Vol. 35 No. 2 April 2016
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 2016.
New Members
None
Renewed Members
Ralph Martinelli, Eureka**
Catherine Barnes, Eureka**
Kevyn Harris, Eureka**
Ali Lee, Arcata**
Jack Nash, Eureka***
Michael Slavin, Arcata**
Wally West, Redway**
Chris Whitworth, McKinleyville**
Patricia-Anne & George WinterSun, Eureka***
Mitch Higa, McKinleyville**
Lisa Hoover, Blue Lake***
Richard & Cynthia Will, Eureka**
Jerry Cottrell, Bayside**
Dan & Carol Stafford, Eureka**
Rick Gustafson, Eureka***
Victor Dumlao, Eureka***
Bob & JoAnn Hart, Bayside***
Wally Coppini, Loleta**
Claudio Freixas, Eureka
Lloyd McClelland, Eureka***
David & Jean Durbin, McKinleyville**
Carman Gentile, Arcata
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.
If you haven’t already renewed for calendar year 2016, your membership has expired. Please see the application form at the end of the newsletter.
The Next Regular Meeting will be Held on April 25th in Arcata
The next regular HBBCA meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m., Monday, April 25th, at Carmela’s
Restaurant, 13th and G Streets in Arcata. Dinner is optional. Agenda items may be suggested by emailing info@humbike.org.
May is Bike Month
The Bike Month Humboldt Coalition has been busily initiating and coordinating events that will be held during the month of May. Attached is a Draft Bike Month Humboldt Event Calendar. At this point, it is not quite complete, so you will want to check our website, www.humbike.org for the latest as May approaches.
Most major events have been set, including:
May 11 (Wednesday): Arcata Bike to Work Day, noontime, Plaza {energizer station at Arcata Co-op 7 – 9 a.m.}
May 12: Humboldt Bike Film Shorts, The Siren’s Song Tavern in Eureka, 7 – 9 p.m.
May 18 (Wednesday): Eureka Bike to Work Day, noontime, Old Town Gazebo {energizer station at Eureka Co-op 7 – 9 a.m.}
Revolution Bicycle Repair has Purchased Henderson Center Bicycles
After 22 years as the owner of Henderson Center Bicycles, Will Spurling has sold the business to Revolution Bicycle Repair who also has a shop in Arcata. Revolution has been an excellent bike shop for many years and promises to offer excellent service in Eureka, too. HBBCA members will enjoy a 10% discount on purchases of bicycle parts and accessories. Stop in and check it out. They have been busy making improvements to the shop in Eureka.
Frustrated that Traffic Signals won’t Change for You?
In Eureka, Henderson Center, the City of Eureka recently painted bike logos at signalized intersections so that cyclists can position themselves to trigger a green light. In the past, if a motorist wasn’t there, the left-turn signals wouldn’t be activated by cyclists. If you find other problematic signals in Eureka, you may contact the City at the number included in the list below.
Bike Trail to be Undertaken in May from Hikshari’ Trail North
In May, the City of Eureka is evicting the homeless from Palco Marsh in preparation to begin construction of a section of bike path/trail from the north end of the Hikshari’ Trail to Del Norte Street. Eventually, the trail will be extended, in two more phases, around the Waterfront (with a couple of gaps) north of the Route 255 Humboldt Bay Bridges, around the back side of Target, under the Route 101 Eureka Slough bridges and ending next to the Open Door Clinic on Tydd Street.
Recently, the HBBCA Board asked to see the City’s completed project plans. To our knowledge, there has been no public opportunity to review or comment on draft plans. Upon our review, we found many short-comings, including narrow right-angle S- providing for speeds of about 3 mph (pedestrian speeds not bicyclists’ speeds). It was a very disappointing discovery. We have appealed to one of our councilpersons to see if some changes could be made. We understand the City envisioned directing Pacific Bicycle Route traffic to this trail. Based on what we have seen, we would strongly recommend against directing any bicyclists to the facility as presently designed. Since no public exposure has occurred, we don’t know if the City is trying to save money or respond to permitting agencies such as Coastal Commission staff or the North Coast Railroad Authority.
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: Mary Kirby
mkirby@eurekapd.org, 268-5232
HBBCA Board of Directors (Rev. 1/2016)
President---------------------- Rick Knapp
445-1097(h) email: info@humbike.org
Vice-President---------------- Brett Gronemeyer
845-2117(h); 445-6397(w)
Secretary/Treasurer---Gail Popham,
445-5204(w)
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 2016
The HBBCA is working to improve and encourage bicycle commuting. Help make it happen by joining now or renewing your membership for 2016.
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.
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Mail to HBBCA, P.O. Box 9054 Eureka CA 95502-9054