Newsletter of the Humboldt Bay Bicycle Commuters Association
P. O. Box 9054 Eureka CA 95502
THANKS TO MEMBERS WHO RENEWED MEMBERSHIP FOR 2009
New Members:
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Ralph Martinelli, Eureka
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Carol Nelson, Blue Lake**
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Zeke Smith, Eureka
Renewed Members:
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Linda Doerfllinger, McKinleyville
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Buzz & Judith Webb, McKinleyville
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Beth Abels, Arcata**
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Steve Jones, Arcata***
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Robert Thoman, McKinleyville
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Oona Smith, Arcata**
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Rees Hughes, Arcata
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Nancy Reichard, Arcata***
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Rick Knapp, Eureka**
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Jay Davis, M.D., Arcata**
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Loren Azevedo, Arcata**
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Steve Gustafson, Arcata***
Those with a ** have made additional donations to the HBBCA. Those with *** have made donations of $25 or more. Thank you.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 24TH IN ARCATA
The next regular HBBCA meeting will be held at Carmela’s Mexican Restaurant at 13th and G Streets in Arcata on Monday, November 24. Those interested in joining us for dinner can order at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will begin at 6:30. The meeting is open to the public. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. Those who attend help set the agenda. Included will be discussion of the public forum the HBBCA will host on December 8th in Arcata. (See article below.)
HBBCA TO HOST FORUM ON MOTORIST/CYCLIST ROAD SAFETY
In follow-up to the tragic collision that took Greg’ Jenning’s life and many other serious motor vehicle/bicycle collisions over the last several months in Humboldt County, the HBBCA will host a Public Forum on December 8th in Arcata. The forum will be titled: A Community Forum to Promote Safety for Cyclists: How Motorists & Cyclists Can More Safely Share Roads & Highways.
Due in part to these events, there has been an increasing interest among cyclists to change the status quo, to let law enforcement, prosecuting attorneys and the media hear from cyclists, and for cyclists to be treated fairly with equal rights and responsibilities on the road.
After considerable planning, this forum has been developed. The event won’t be a gripe session among cyclists about how we never get a fair shake. The forum will include a panel discussion with representatives from several traffic law enforcement agencies in the County (Arcata, Eureka and CHP), the District Attorney, a cycling advocate, a trucking company owner, and a bike/car collision survivor. Our goal is to educate law enforcement, prosecuting attorneys, cyclists, motorists, and the media about the rights and responsibilities of cyclists and motorists. Much of the forum will be devoted to a question/answer period with the panel members, followed by an action-oriented session to work on changing things for the better.
Please put this on your calendar for December 8th, 6:00 to 8:30 pm. It will be held at the D Street Neighborhood Center at 14th and D Streets in Arcata.
ANOTHER CYCLIST INJURED BY IRRESPONSIBLE MOTORIST
Many of you read in the paper recently about an elderly gentleman, Paul Harris, who was hit by a drunk driver near Redwood Acres in Eureka on October 18. The driver had just left Safeway, about 1/4 mile to the west, with a fresh bottle of wine, and made it only far enough to swerve well into the shoulder to hit Paul, who was standing alongside his bike at the time. The driver tried to leave the scene, but was stopped by alert witnesses. Paul sustained many bruises and abrasions along with a shoulder fracture that will require surgery.
Rick Knapp has met with Paul and has been continuing discussion with him in an effort to help assure that justice is served.
Paul has been a cyclist over 50 years. Ironically, Paul had submitted a letter to the editor of the Times-Standard a couple of weeks earlier, suggesting a program for local police to reward cyclists observed exhibiting model behavior. Unfortunately, he was hit by a motorist exhibiting deplorable behavior!
MEMORIAL RIDE IN MEMORY OF GREG JENNINGS
Tim Daniels, Member of the HBBCA and Bigfoot Bike Club, organized a memorial ride from Arcata to Blue Lake in honor of Greg Jennings who was killed by an irresponsible motorist on Route 299 near Blue Lake on August 25th. Forty cyclists participated in the ride on September 7th, including riders from the HBBCA, Bigfoot Bike Club and Green Wheels. Upon entering Blue Lake, the cyclists were greeted by Greg’s wife, Lisa Hoover, who expressed appreciation for the support cyclists had shown for Greg. The HBBCA continues to work to assure justice is served in this case and for other cyclists who have been wrongly hit by careless and irresponsible motorists.
Recently, Rick Knapp measured the paved shoulder at the collision location to find that it was 11 feet wide, not enough to keep motorist, Alan Bear, from crossing it entirely on a flat, tangent section of highway, and hitting Greg with the LEFT front of his pickup!
OLD ARCATA ROAD WIDENING PROGRESSING
Signs on Old Arcata Road indicate that the widening will be complete by December 2008. As of mid-October, that looks unlikely. About 1.5 miles is nearly complete, leading to a roundabout at Indianola which has been quite treacherous to traverse for cyclists, with crushed rock, potholes and puddles. Hopefully, that will be completed before any winter suspension. Work further north is in the early stages. Work at the Ryan Slough Bridge on the Myrtle Avenue end is progressing. By sometime next Spring/Summer, there should be paved shoulders on the full length of the route.
That, with some better maintenance of the route could result in a decent alternative to Route 101 for cyclists.
COMPLETE STREETS ACT BECOMES LAW IN CALIFORNIA
California has become the first state in the nation to adopt a statewide “Complete Streets” policy for all local roadways. The Governor signed the Act into law on September 30.
This law requires cities and counties to ensure that local roads and streets adequately accommodate the needs of bicyclists, pedestrians and transit users, as well as motorists. The law applies to periodic updates to city and county general plans related to traffic circulation.
THE TOUR OF THE UNKNOWN COAST (TUC) ORGANIZATION DONATES FUNDS TO THE HBBCA
In a big surprise, the TUC organization recently donated $700 to the HBBCA in recognition of the efforts of the Association and the fact that volunteers helped support the 2008 ride. Thanks to the TUC!!
MILEAGE CALENDAR INCLUDED
A mileage calendar is included in this newsletter. Fill it out daily, keep track of your mileage month to month and year to year to keep track of what you are doing for your health, your wallet, and the planet.
REDWOOD COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY (RCAA) WORKING TO UPDATE AND REPRINT THE HUMBOLDT BAY AREA BIKE MAP—NEEDS YOUR HELP
Many of you are familiar with the Humboldt Bay Area Bike Map, the area’s guide to cycling routes and related safety information. Since its publication in 2000, roads and transit stops have changed, more bike facilities exist, and safety and public health issues need to be update and included. It cost $10,000 to get the first 10,000 copies which are almost sold out.
The Natural Resources Services Division of the RCAA created the original bike map with the help of many groups and individuals, including the Humboldt Bay Bicycle Commuters Association. Depending on funds raised from local supporters, a newer, updated version will be on the shelves in 2009. One of the first to donate to the cause will be the HBBCA who has committed $250.
The RCAA has established a schedule for donations, each with a complimentary number of bike maps. Donations of $250 or more will result in your business or group logo included on the map. Please send contributions to RCAA c/o Denise Newman, 904 G Street, Eureka CA 95501 or phone 269-2062 for more information.
BIKE COMMUTER BENEFITS SIGNED BY PRESIDENT
If you commute to work from home by bicycle, and if your employer agrees, you might get a tax-free fringe benefit of up to $20 a month. This amount could be reimbursed by your employer if they choose to offer it under terms of the Bicycle Commuter Act signed by the President. What employers gain is deductibility of the paid benefits from their IRS taxes, plus happier workers. Guidelines are under development by the IRS for the program which begins January 1, 2009.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
Greg (Jennings) loved his commute as an integral component of a life well-lived. He would have appreciated your efforts to ensure that others will be able to do so in the future in safety.
Sincerely,
Jim Jennings (Greg’s father)
San Francisco
I recently purchased a really nice, bright, LED, Lithium-Ion battery-powered headlight from a local bicycle shop. By showing my Humboldt Bay Bicycle Commuters Association membership card, I got a discount on the purchase. That discount brought the price down to the best price I could find on the internet, including shipping. It made me feel good to keep my money in our Northcoast economy by buying from a local shop and getting a great deal, too!
Before buying bicycle accessories online, be sure to drop by your favorite local bike shop and show them your HBBCA Membership card. You may find that what you want is already in stock and at competitive prices. Think Globally--- Bike and Shop locally.
Brett Gronemeyer
Arcata
WHO TO CALL WHEN YOU SEE A SAFETY CONCERN (Revised 3/08)
The HBBCA 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 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:
HBBCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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President------------------------Scott Kelly
839-3614(h); 839-4336(w)
Email: info@humbike.org
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Vice-President/Treasurer----Rick Knapp
445-1097(h)
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Director of Publicity-----------Will Dvorak
445-4229(h)-before 8pm; 441-8809(w)
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Director of Planning-----------Brett Gronemeyer
845-2117(h); 441-5770(w)
JOIN THE HBBCA TODAY OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR 2008
The HBBCA is working to improve and encourage bicycle commuting. Help make it happen by joining now or renewing your dues for 2008. Your $5.00 annual dues, paid on a calendar year basis, will help pay for insurance, youth helmets, this newsletter, our website, promotions, special events, postage, etc. And, it will help demonstrate your commitment to our goal. Please click here to download our Membership Application.
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
P. O. Box 3054 Eureka CA 95502
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