July 2017
WHEEL PEOPLE Vol. 36 No. 3 July 2017
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 2017. Please consider joining or renewing if you haven’t already.
New Members
Katherine Bettis, Eureka
Chere’ Edgar, Arcata***
Renewed Members
Emily Sinkhorn, Eureka***
Daryl & Phyllis Chinn, Arcata**
Chris Ursich, Arcata**
Tim Daniels, Blue Lake***
Lloyd McClelland, Eureka**
Dan & Carol Stafford, Eureka***
Steve Sipma & Noreen O’Brien, Fairhaven**
Catherine Barnes, 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 all the bike shops. See application at the end of the newsletter.
The Next Regular Meeting will be Held on July 24th in Eureka
The next regular HBBCA meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m., Monday, July 24th, at Chapala’s Café at 2nd & C Streets in Eureka. Dinner is optional. Agenda items may be suggested by emailing info@humbike.org.
Another Successful Bike Month Humboldt
Many cyclists enjoyed a myriad of events planned by the Bike Month Humboldt Coalition and local agencies during the month of May. Participants enjoyed everything from bike rodeos to scavenger hunts. Signature events included popular Bike to Work Day rallies in Eureka and Arcata. Thanks to the North Coast Co-op for their continued support with the early morning energizer stations on Bike to Work Days. Thanks also to Eureka Natural Foods and the HBBCA for event food and drinks. Once again the local bike shops (Adventure’s Edge, Pacific Outfitters, and Revolution Bicycle Repair) were on hand and to help cyclists who needed repairs at the energizer stations and rallies. They also donated many prizes for free drawings and for winners of competitions at the rallies.
Input Sought for Regional Bike Plan Update
The Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) is seeking input from the public on its draft Regional Bicycle Plan Update. According to its news release, “the Bike Plan takes measurable steps toward the goal of improving every citizen’s quality of life, creating a more sustainable urban, rural and natural environment, and reducing traffic congestion, vehicle exhaust emissions, noise, and fuel consumption.”
The draft plan can be found at www.hcaog.net/projects or printed copies may be viewed during business hours at the HCAOG office (611 “I” Street in Eureka) and various county libraries (Arcata, Blue Lake, Eureka, Ferndale, Ferndale, Garberville, Hoopa, McKinleyville, Rio Dell, Trinidad and Willow Creek.
Comments will be accepted until July 31. Direct comments to Oona Smith, Senior Planner, HCAOG, 611 “I” Street, Suite B, Eureka CA 95501 or by email to oona.smith@hcaog.net.
Maintenance to be Done on Bike Racks in Eureka
The City and HBBCA will work together to identify needs for maintenance of oval pole-mount bike racks in the City. The City is committed to bringing them back to a state of good repair. Some are loose on the pole and have rusted-out hardware. In conjunction with the effort, the HBBCA will add “I bike Eureka.” Stickers on the racks so that it will be more obvious that these are bike racks.
The City has also purchased 8 more of the bike racks and will work with the HBBCA to identify good locations for them. Some locations have been identified, but if you know of a place where they are needed and there is a nearby sign post where they could be attached, let Rick Knapp know at info@humbike.org.
Bike Improvements Being Made on Ross Hill Road in Fortuna
About 5 years ago, the HBBCA approached the Fortuna City Manager about safety concerns with Ross Hill Road. Cyclists were being directed to ride on one side of the road, contrary to the “rules of the road.” It was suggested that either widening be undertaken or that the 4-lane road be reduced to two lanes to allow for bike lanes on each side of the road. At the same time, the HBBCA found that the Redwood Community Action Agency had worked with the City to develop a pedestrian audit to determine safety issues that should be addressed to assure safe routes to schools.
While there was some support for the ideas presented by the HBBCA, it wasn’t until June 2017 that an actual project was undertaken. The project, a Safe Routes to School project, will result in conversion to a 2-lane road, striped with buffered (4-foot space) bike lanes, along with sidewalks and other amenities to make the corridor safer for motorists, cyclists and school children.
New Gas Tax Revenues Coming Later This Year
Beginning November 1, the State will begin collecting more gas tax revenues as a result of passage of Senate Bill 1. The California gas tax will increase by 12 cents from its existing 18 cents. The CA tax on diesel will increase by 30 cents. According to Tom Mattson, Humboldt County Director of Public Works, the County is expecting $1.8 million in increased revenues this fiscal year, $4.7 in FY 18/19, and $6.7 million in FY 19/20. It has been nearly 30 years since the gas tax has been raised. Hopefully, some of the increased revenues will go toward bicycle facilities and better pavement to ride on.
Cities in Humboldt County will receive as little as $2,400 a year in Trinidad to $180,000 in Eureka according to the Department of Finance.
AAA Towing Insurance to Cover Bicyclists
Starting at the beginning of Bike Month, AAA Insurance announced that for its members that have roadside coverage, they will now bring you and your disabled bicycle home. There are three levels of roadside coverage, the lowest level accommodates cyclists for up to 5 miles. The highest level will bring you up to 100 miles home. Let us know how it works if you ever take advantage of it [info@humbike.org]. [Editor’s note: I could have taken advantage of it a few months earlier when on a tandem with spokes breaking on the way back from Loleta.]
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:
eureka-policeabatement@ci.eureka.ca.gov;
phone 268-5232
HBBCA Board of Directors (Rev. 12/2016)
President---------------------- Rick Knapp
445-1097(h) email: info@humbike.org
Vice-President---------------- Brett Gronemeyer
845-2117(h); 445-6397(w)
Secretary/Treasurer---Gail Popham,
707-502-8030(cell)
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 2017
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, 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