July 2026
Vol. 45 No. 3
Website: www.humbike.org
Email: info@humbike.org
New and Renewed Members of the HBBCA
The following are new and renewed members since the last newsletter. If you haven’t renewed your dues for 2026, please see the application at the end of this newsletter.
Renewed Members (since last newsletter)
Bruce Maxwell, Eureka**
Kelsey & Louis Gordon, Eureka
Korina Johnson, Arcata
Alan Hale, Arcata
Daryl & Phyllis Chinn, Brooklyn, NY*** [How about that, still generous members after moving from Arcata to New York? HBBCA hats off to the Chinns, members since 1989!!!
Those with a ** next to their name gave an additional donation. Those with *** have given a $25 or greater donation in addition to their dues. 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 bike shops. See application at the end of the newsletter.
Next Meeting at Carmela’s Mexican Restaurant on Monday, July 27th
The next meeting of the HBBCA will be on Monday, July 27th. The dinner meeting will be at Carmela’s Mexican Restaurant, 13th and G Streets in Arcata, from 6-8 pm. The agenda will be set by the attendees.
Some Good and Bad News for Bike Access and Bike Travel in the Eureka/Arcata Area
Humboldt Bay Trail east of the Adorni Center---Reconstruction Underway for the 50 year old trail from the Adorni to just north of the Samoa Bridge. This is part of the Park Construction project. Lots of signs telling you to use a detour, but no detour route is provided. If you want to access the trail at the trail bridge behind Target, take Waterfront Drive to 1st Street, and connect to the trail next to the entrance of the Blue Ox. The trail reconstruction work should be done in the next few weeks.
New Connection to Humboldt Bay Trail at Indianola Interchange---Caltrans has opened the trail connection to allow for bike and pedestrian access from the interchange to the trail.
Southbound Route 101 Bike Traffic to Eureka Detoured to Humboldt Bay Trail near Jacobs Avenue, as Route 101 traffic has been shifted to the right to take loads off the left side of the structure. Caltrans’ contractor is undertaking repair to footings on the Eureka Slough Bridge. This could take until October. As a result, the section of trail from Target to Tydd Street/Myrtle Avenue (under the Slough bridge) is closed, with no detour.
Reconstruction/repaving of Myrtle Avenue from Hall Avenue to Freshwater Corners is Underway—Another project that will last a few weeks and is probably a good place to avoid by bicyclists, as there will be difficult travel and delays. Once completed, there should be a wider bike lane and the perpetual flooding eliminated.
Included in this newsletter is an Article by Marlee Townsend Published in the League of American Bicyclist Magazine on the Mental Health Benefits of Riding Your Bike
In reading through it, regular cyclists will be able to identify with many points she makes. For Rick Knapp, he can identify with the sensation of feeling exhilarated when riding, when perhaps feeling a little lethargic some times before getting on his bike.
E-bikes, e-motos, & e-scooters
By Brett Gronemeyer, Vice-President
All 3 of these electric powered devices have been receiving lots of press lately; most of it bad. Reports of adults and children riding electric devices without regard for traffic laws or fellow human beings around them. In one instance, a child riding an electric motorcycle (e-moto) on the sidewalk struck an 81 year old man who later died in the hospital. The child’s mother was arrested and charged as she had been previously warned by police the e-moto was illegal for her child to ride, as it is considered a motor vehicle with all the requirements that go along with operating a vehicle on a public street. Link to news story:
https://newsantaana.com/o-c-mom-now-facing-a-manslaughter-charge-after-her-sons-e-motorcycle-victim-died/
E-bikes and e-scooters have legitimate uses. E-bikes provide a boost of assistance and speed to a device similar in appearance to a conventional bicycle, often referred to as an acoustic bike. E-bikes are popular with people wanting to ride a bike to commute or sight see, but wanting a little more speed without getting sweaty before work or a social engagement. E-scooters are micro-mobility devices and are also popular for commuters, especially those who use mass transit or do not have storage space for a bicycle at home or work.
E-motos are electric motorcycles and are considered motor vehicles under the California Vehicle Code. The differences between e-bikes and e-motos are not as clear as the differences between acoustic bikes and bikes powered by internal combustion engines. To add to the confusion, many retailers are marketing e-motos as e-bikes. Some going as far as to limit the power and speed of the devices to meet California and Federal requirements for e-bikes, but letting customers know they can easily unlock the power and speed limiters by simply cutting a wire.
We at HBBCA believe education and enforcement would greatly reduce conflicts between riders of these devices and acoustic bicyclists, drivers, and pedestrians.
We highly recommend all riders, including acoustic bicycle and e-scooter riders, take the CHP Electric Bicycle Safety and Training (AB 1946):
https://www.chp.ca.gov/Programs-Services/Services-Information/Bike-and-Ped-Safety
You need to click in the green and blue banner where it says “click here” to begin the training course. There is an 18 question quiz at the end and if you pass, you can print out a certificate of completion.
E-scooters are not addressed in the CHP e-bike training. We did find information on the operation of scooters on a separate CHP website:
https://www.chp.ca.gov/programs-services/programs/california-motorcyclist-safety/motorcycles-and-similar-vehicles
Bottom line: Ride in a predicable manner with respect for others!
Big Bucks Going to the Great Redwood Trail Agency
The Great Redwood Trail (GRT) Agency announced that $50 million of Proposition 4, Climate Bond funds have been allocated, with the GRT Agency getting $12.4 million. From those funds, $1.5 million will go toward work on the Willits to Longvale 12.7 mile trail segment; $922,000 to the City of Fortuna for work on a 6.2 mile segment from Route 36 to Fernbridge. The remaining $10 million will go for trail planning design and construction, guided by the Master Plan’s Tier 1 priorities.
G Street in Eureka to be Converted to a Bike Boulevard
On June 9th, City Public Works presented the concept for a Bike Boulevard for G Street, and took comments. After conducting a survey and receiving 1,050 comments on the C Street Boulevard, they promised to go a little light on the next one, not including the opposing one way sections very much disliked by residents and other roadway users, including the HBBCA, as the concept created 8 segments where cyclists must face oncoming traffic and parked cars. For G Street, they plan two traffic circles. A “quick build” of a traffic circle has been placed at the intersection of G Street and Humboldt Street so people can get used to the idea. A future Bike Boulevard has been funded by the Humboldt County Association of Governments for the Humboldt Street corridor.
Who to Call When You See a Safety Concern (Rev. 7/10/26)
The HBBCA periodically checks 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
Customer Service Liaison, Jessica Henry Gibbs
707-441-5655 online Customer Service Request:
csr.dot.ca.gov
County of Humboldt
707-445-7421 Public Works
RoadsDispatch@co.humboldt.ca.us
Abandoned Vehicles:
County Sheriff’s Office, 707-445-7251
City of Arcata
Engineering Administrative Staff
707-825-2128
Engineering@cityofarcata.org
Abandoned Vehicles:
Arcata Police Dept. at 707-822-2424
City of Eureka
707-441-4203 publicworks@ci.eureka.ca.gov
Abandoned Vehicles:
707-268-5232
eurekapoliceabatement@ci.eureka.ca.gov
HBBCA Board of Directors (Rev. 10/4/25)
(all phone numbers have 707 area codes)
President---------------------- Rick Knapp
499-5918(cell) email: info@humbike.org
Vice-President---------------- Brett Gronemeyer
845-2117(cell);
Secretary----------------Gail Popham
502-8030(cell)
Director of Planning-----open/available
Director of Publicity ----open/available
Contact Rick Knapp if you are interested in filing a vacant Board position.
Please Join or Renew Your Membership for 2026
Your membership, on a calendar year basis, will help pay for youth helmets, bike racks, this newsletter, the website, BikeSmart promotions, “Bike Month” activities, prizes, postage, insurance, etc. And, it will help demonstrate your commitment to our goal.
With your membership card, you may request discounts on bike parts and accessories at Revolution Bicycle Repair and Adventure’s Edge. Discounts are typically 10%, but may vary. Membership cards include stickers on the back showing discounts offered by the various bike shops.
Enclosed: $_____dues ($5.00) $_____donation
Name_______________________________________________
Address_____________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Phone__________________(h)______________________(w)
____I’d rather receive my newsletter by email. This is my neatly printed email address:
_____________________________________________________________
Mail to HBBCA, P. O. Box 9054 Eureka CA 95502-9054
Website: www.humbike.org
Email: info@humbike.org
New and Renewed Members of the HBBCA
The following are new and renewed members since the last newsletter. If you haven’t renewed your dues for 2026, please see the application at the end of this newsletter.
Renewed Members (since last newsletter)
Bruce Maxwell, Eureka**
Kelsey & Louis Gordon, Eureka
Korina Johnson, Arcata
Alan Hale, Arcata
Daryl & Phyllis Chinn, Brooklyn, NY*** [How about that, still generous members after moving from Arcata to New York? HBBCA hats off to the Chinns, members since 1989!!!
Those with a ** next to their name gave an additional donation. Those with *** have given a $25 or greater donation in addition to their dues. 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 bike shops. See application at the end of the newsletter.
Next Meeting at Carmela’s Mexican Restaurant on Monday, July 27th
The next meeting of the HBBCA will be on Monday, July 27th. The dinner meeting will be at Carmela’s Mexican Restaurant, 13th and G Streets in Arcata, from 6-8 pm. The agenda will be set by the attendees.
Some Good and Bad News for Bike Access and Bike Travel in the Eureka/Arcata Area
Humboldt Bay Trail east of the Adorni Center---Reconstruction Underway for the 50 year old trail from the Adorni to just north of the Samoa Bridge. This is part of the Park Construction project. Lots of signs telling you to use a detour, but no detour route is provided. If you want to access the trail at the trail bridge behind Target, take Waterfront Drive to 1st Street, and connect to the trail next to the entrance of the Blue Ox. The trail reconstruction work should be done in the next few weeks.
New Connection to Humboldt Bay Trail at Indianola Interchange---Caltrans has opened the trail connection to allow for bike and pedestrian access from the interchange to the trail.
Southbound Route 101 Bike Traffic to Eureka Detoured to Humboldt Bay Trail near Jacobs Avenue, as Route 101 traffic has been shifted to the right to take loads off the left side of the structure. Caltrans’ contractor is undertaking repair to footings on the Eureka Slough Bridge. This could take until October. As a result, the section of trail from Target to Tydd Street/Myrtle Avenue (under the Slough bridge) is closed, with no detour.
Reconstruction/repaving of Myrtle Avenue from Hall Avenue to Freshwater Corners is Underway—Another project that will last a few weeks and is probably a good place to avoid by bicyclists, as there will be difficult travel and delays. Once completed, there should be a wider bike lane and the perpetual flooding eliminated.
Included in this newsletter is an Article by Marlee Townsend Published in the League of American Bicyclist Magazine on the Mental Health Benefits of Riding Your Bike
In reading through it, regular cyclists will be able to identify with many points she makes. For Rick Knapp, he can identify with the sensation of feeling exhilarated when riding, when perhaps feeling a little lethargic some times before getting on his bike.
E-bikes, e-motos, & e-scooters
By Brett Gronemeyer, Vice-President
All 3 of these electric powered devices have been receiving lots of press lately; most of it bad. Reports of adults and children riding electric devices without regard for traffic laws or fellow human beings around them. In one instance, a child riding an electric motorcycle (e-moto) on the sidewalk struck an 81 year old man who later died in the hospital. The child’s mother was arrested and charged as she had been previously warned by police the e-moto was illegal for her child to ride, as it is considered a motor vehicle with all the requirements that go along with operating a vehicle on a public street. Link to news story:
https://newsantaana.com/o-c-mom-now-facing-a-manslaughter-charge-after-her-sons-e-motorcycle-victim-died/
E-bikes and e-scooters have legitimate uses. E-bikes provide a boost of assistance and speed to a device similar in appearance to a conventional bicycle, often referred to as an acoustic bike. E-bikes are popular with people wanting to ride a bike to commute or sight see, but wanting a little more speed without getting sweaty before work or a social engagement. E-scooters are micro-mobility devices and are also popular for commuters, especially those who use mass transit or do not have storage space for a bicycle at home or work.
E-motos are electric motorcycles and are considered motor vehicles under the California Vehicle Code. The differences between e-bikes and e-motos are not as clear as the differences between acoustic bikes and bikes powered by internal combustion engines. To add to the confusion, many retailers are marketing e-motos as e-bikes. Some going as far as to limit the power and speed of the devices to meet California and Federal requirements for e-bikes, but letting customers know they can easily unlock the power and speed limiters by simply cutting a wire.
We at HBBCA believe education and enforcement would greatly reduce conflicts between riders of these devices and acoustic bicyclists, drivers, and pedestrians.
We highly recommend all riders, including acoustic bicycle and e-scooter riders, take the CHP Electric Bicycle Safety and Training (AB 1946):
https://www.chp.ca.gov/Programs-Services/Services-Information/Bike-and-Ped-Safety
You need to click in the green and blue banner where it says “click here” to begin the training course. There is an 18 question quiz at the end and if you pass, you can print out a certificate of completion.
E-scooters are not addressed in the CHP e-bike training. We did find information on the operation of scooters on a separate CHP website:
https://www.chp.ca.gov/programs-services/programs/california-motorcyclist-safety/motorcycles-and-similar-vehicles
Bottom line: Ride in a predicable manner with respect for others!
Big Bucks Going to the Great Redwood Trail Agency
The Great Redwood Trail (GRT) Agency announced that $50 million of Proposition 4, Climate Bond funds have been allocated, with the GRT Agency getting $12.4 million. From those funds, $1.5 million will go toward work on the Willits to Longvale 12.7 mile trail segment; $922,000 to the City of Fortuna for work on a 6.2 mile segment from Route 36 to Fernbridge. The remaining $10 million will go for trail planning design and construction, guided by the Master Plan’s Tier 1 priorities.
G Street in Eureka to be Converted to a Bike Boulevard
On June 9th, City Public Works presented the concept for a Bike Boulevard for G Street, and took comments. After conducting a survey and receiving 1,050 comments on the C Street Boulevard, they promised to go a little light on the next one, not including the opposing one way sections very much disliked by residents and other roadway users, including the HBBCA, as the concept created 8 segments where cyclists must face oncoming traffic and parked cars. For G Street, they plan two traffic circles. A “quick build” of a traffic circle has been placed at the intersection of G Street and Humboldt Street so people can get used to the idea. A future Bike Boulevard has been funded by the Humboldt County Association of Governments for the Humboldt Street corridor.
Who to Call When You See a Safety Concern (Rev. 7/10/26)
The HBBCA periodically checks 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
Customer Service Liaison, Jessica Henry Gibbs
707-441-5655 online Customer Service Request:
csr.dot.ca.gov
County of Humboldt
707-445-7421 Public Works
RoadsDispatch@co.humboldt.ca.us
Abandoned Vehicles:
County Sheriff’s Office, 707-445-7251
City of Arcata
Engineering Administrative Staff
707-825-2128
Engineering@cityofarcata.org
Abandoned Vehicles:
Arcata Police Dept. at 707-822-2424
City of Eureka
707-441-4203 publicworks@ci.eureka.ca.gov
Abandoned Vehicles:
707-268-5232
eurekapoliceabatement@ci.eureka.ca.gov
HBBCA Board of Directors (Rev. 10/4/25)
(all phone numbers have 707 area codes)
President---------------------- Rick Knapp
499-5918(cell) email: info@humbike.org
Vice-President---------------- Brett Gronemeyer
845-2117(cell);
Secretary----------------Gail Popham
502-8030(cell)
Director of Planning-----open/available
Director of Publicity ----open/available
Contact Rick Knapp if you are interested in filing a vacant Board position.
Please Join or Renew Your Membership for 2026
Your membership, on a calendar year basis, will help pay for youth helmets, bike racks, this newsletter, the website, BikeSmart promotions, “Bike Month” activities, prizes, postage, insurance, etc. And, it will help demonstrate your commitment to our goal.
With your membership card, you may request discounts on bike parts and accessories at Revolution Bicycle Repair and Adventure’s Edge. Discounts are typically 10%, but may vary. Membership cards include stickers on the back showing discounts offered by the various bike shops.
Enclosed: $_____dues ($5.00) $_____donation
Name_______________________________________________
Address_____________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Phone__________________(h)______________________(w)
____I’d rather receive my newsletter by email. This is my neatly printed email address:
_____________________________________________________________
Mail to HBBCA, P. O. Box 9054 Eureka CA 95502-9054