WHEEL PEOPLE

NEWSLETTER OF THE HUMBOLDT BAY BICYCLE COMMUTERS ASSOCIATION

P.O. BOX 9054

EUREKA CA 95502-9054

 

 

VOL. 24   NO.  5  SEPTEMBER 2005

 

 

THANKS TO THE NEW AND RENEWED MEMBERS FOR 2005

 

The HBBCA thanks the following new members and renewed members for 2005. 

 

New Members:

 

Vic Armijo, Arcata**

Aaron Antrim, Arcata

 

Renewed Members:

 

Kathleen Tillinghast, Eureka**

Nancy Reichard, Arcata**

Marylou Avanzino, San Jose**

 

A special thanks to those who gave a donation to the HBBCA, noted by **.

 

 

 

CHECK OUT THE HBBCA WEBSITE

 

On August 8, the HBBCA officially launched its website, www.humbike.org.   Sherri Dobay of Dobay Art donated her time and expertise to develop the website, with some help on the input from Rick Knapp.   Check out Sherri’s website at sherri@dobayart.com for information on her paintings and graphic design services.

Those with a *** gave $25 or more.                                      

 

 

NEXT  REGULAR MEETING IN EUREKA ON SEPTEMBER 26

 

The next regular HBBCA meeting will be held at Chapala’s  Mexican Restaurant at 2nd and C Streets in Eureka on Monday, September 26th.  It will be a dinner meeting (dinner optional), starting at 6:00 p.m.  The meeting itself will begin at 6:30.   The meeting is open to the public.  Those who attend help set the agenda.  

 

 

AS GASOLINE REACHES $3.30 A GALLON, BIKE COMMUTING SHOULD LOOK A LOT BETTER TO SOME

 

Consider that a motorist that commutes daily from McKinleyville to Eureka and gets 20 mpg, will spend over $130 every month on gasoline alone.   That’s almost $1600 a year.   And that is just the gasoline portion of the trip.   With other automobile-related costs, the total cost is at least double!   It is time to dust off that bike and join the bike commuters of Humboldt County!

 

 

BIKESMART SAFETY BROCHURE AND NEW MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION COMPLETED

 

Check out our new BikeSmart safety brochure at humbike.com.   A new membership application is also on the site.   Download and give copies to friends and family.

 

 

THE RCAA APPLIES FOR FUNDING FROM THE AIR QUALITY DISTRICT FOR CYCLING SKILLS GUIDE

 

The HBBCA is working with the Redwood Community Action Agency (RCAA) to see that a “Cycling Skills Guide for Northwestern California” is developed.   The RCAA has applied for grant funding from the local Air Quality District.   If approved, guides will be prepared for both adults and children.   The guides will be “compelling, easy to read cycling skills guides” that will encourage and educate potential and current bicycle commuters.

 

The HBBCA has offered to contribute $200 from its meager budget toward this important effort.

 

 

DISTRICT ATTORNEY MAKES APPEARANCE AT LAST HBBCA MEETING

 

District Attorney Paul Gallegos accepted an invitation to the last meeting of the HBBCA to answer concerns that little or no action has been taken against motorists that have hit or killed bicyclists due to recklessness or negligence.

 

Mr. Gallegos spent over two hours responding to specific cases and explaining the decision-making process that leads to a determination as to whether or not a particular case meets the threshold to pursue criminal prosecution.   Gallegos indicated that they must determine there is criminal intent and that there is a reasonable chance a jury will find that a crime has been committed.   He explained that in some instances a civil guilty verdict may be possible, but a criminal verdict may not.

 

 

FATE OF CALIFORNIA BICYCLE TRANSPORTATION ACCOUNT UNCERTAIN

 

While both the Assembly and Senate have approved SB 523(Torlakson) which would extend the Bicycle Transportation Account Program which funds local bikeway and bicycle support programs, the program faces an uncertain fate.   The Department of Finance has indicated opposition to the bill, which means the Governor’s current position, is “oppose.”   Reasons stated: The Regional Transportation Agencies control 75% of the State’s transportation funding, which can be used for these purposes; and federal funding is also available.  The HBBCA has emailed its support of the bill to the Governor, indicating that at this time of $3.30 gasoline, he should be doing whatever he reasonably can do to support energy conservative modes of transportation.

 

 

HOW TO NAVIGATE THROUGH ROUNDABOUTS

 

With more and more roundabouts appearing in the Humboldt Bay region, it is time to consider how one is to navigate a roundabout as a motorist or a bicyclist.   The following is excerpted from the Caltrans District 1 Newsletter, June/July 2005.

 

Motorists:

  • Slow down as you approach the intersection.
  • Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists crossing the roadway.
  • Watch for signs and pavement markings that guide you or prohibit certain movements.
  • Enter the roundabout when there is a big enough gap in traffic.
  • Drive in a counterclockwise direction.   Do not stop or pass other vehicles.
  • Use your turn signals when you change lanes or exit the roundabout.
  • If you miss your exit, continue around until you return to your exit.

 

Bicyclists:

 

  • If you are comfortable riding in traffic, take the lane and circulate with the motor vehicle traffic when entering.
  • Ride at the speed of the circular roadway to discourage motorists from passing you.
  • When you exit the roundabout, use your right hand signal.
  • If you are unsure about using the roundabout, dismount and walk your bike as a pedestrian at designated crosswalks.

 

 

WHO TO CALL WHEN YOU SEE A SAFETY CONCERN (Revised 6/04)

                                 

The HBBCA has 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 the 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:

 

Caltrans

Marty Van Zandt, Deputy District Director

445-6393  Martin.Van.Zandt@dot.ca.gov

 

County of Humboldt

Wendy Meeks, Dispatcher

445-7491 wmeeks@co.humboldt.ca.us

 

City of Arcata

Monica Campbell,

Public Works Administrative Assistant

822-5957 pubworks@arcatacityhall.org

 

City of Eureka

Susan Hutchison

Public Works Administrative Assistant

441-4192 shutchison@ci.eureka.ca.gov

 

HBBCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

President------------------------Scott Kelly

839-3614(h); 839-4336(w)

Vice-President/Treasurer----Rick Knapp

445-1097(h)

Director of Publicity-----------Will Dvorak

445-4229(h)-before 8pm; 441-8809(w)

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.  It will save money and make distribution easier.

 

Enclosed: $_____dues    $_____donation

 

Name____________________________________

 

Address__________________________________

 

__________________________________________         

 

I’d rather receive my newsletter by email:  Yes____  No____

 

email:___________________________________

 

 

Phone______________(h)________________(w)

 

Mail to HBBCA, P.O. Box 9054 Eureka CA 95502-9054