WHEEL PEOPLE
Newsletter
of the
JANUARY 2006
VOL. 25 NO. 1
Website: www.humbike.org
Email: info@humbike.org
HAPPY BICYCLING NEW YEAR!!!!!!!
THANKS TO THE NEW AND
RENEWED MEMBERS FOR 2005
The HBBCA thanks the following new members and renewed members for 2006.
New Members:
Chris Rall, Arcata
Tony LaBlanca, Arcata
Renewed Members:
Rick Knapp,
Rees Hughes, Arcata**
Gordon Leppig, McKinleyville***
Jack Nash,
Janet Biasca,
Carl Cooper, Bayside
Jan Rowen,
Will Dvorak & Carole Beaton,
JR Anderson, Whitethorn**
Martin Smuckler, Arcata**
Edward & Judy Webb, McKinleyville**
Jean & David Durbin, McKinleyville**
Linda Doerflinger, McKinleyville**
Lloyd McClelland,
Oona Smith, Arcata**
Daryl & Phyllis Chinn, Arcata
Tim Daniels,
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
The next regular HBBCA meeting will be held at
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 for research and development of
a bike trail in the right of way between
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
So
much for acronyms!!
WHO TO CALL WHEN YOU SEE A SAFETY CONCERN
(Revised 11/05)
The HBBCA has checked with
agencies in the
Of course, if you see a condition that requires
immediate emergency action, call
Caltrans
Mark Suchanek, Deputy
District Director
445-6393 Mark_Suchanek@dot.ca.gov
Wendy Meeks, Dispatcher
445-7491 wmeeks@co.humboldt.ca.us
Abandoned Vehicles:
Wally Williams,
Ph. 268-3629
City of
Monica Campbell,
Public Works
Administrative Assistant
822-5957 pubworks@arcatacityhall.org
Abandoned Vehicles:
Ph. Arcata Police Dept. at
822-2424
City of
Susan Hutchison
Public Works
Administrative Assistant
441-4192 shutchison@ci.eureka.ca.gov
Abandoned Vehicles:
Email: mkirby@epd.org
Ph. 268-5232
HBBCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President------------------------Scott
Kelly
839-3614(h);
839-4336(w)
Email:
info@humbike.org
Vice-President/Treasurer----Rick
Knapp
445-1097(h)
Director
of Publicity-----------Will Dvorak
445-4229(h)-before
Director
of Planning-----------Jennifer Rice
442-4630(h); 269-2060(w)
JOIN THE HBBCA TODAY OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR 2006
The HBBCA is working to
improve and encourage bicycle commuting.
Help make it happen by joining now or renewing your dues for 2006. Your $5.00 annual dues, paid on a calendar year
basis, will help pay for helmets, this newsletter, our website, promotions,
postage, etc. And, it will help
demonstrate your commitment to our goal.
If you prefer to receive your bi-monthly newsletter by email, please
note below.
Enclosed:
$_____dues $_____donation
Name____________________________________
Address__________________________________
__________________________________________
____I’d
rather receive my newsletter by email
email:____________________________________
Phone_______________(h)_________________(w)
Mail
to HBBCA,