Bike Law Fact of the Week
E-bikes are getting much more popular, and rightly so. They’re a great way to get a little farther than you might on a regular bike with carbon emissions that are almost as low (even considering the energy used to make the battery). In California, electric bicycles are divided into three categories. Class 1 e-bikes only provide power when the user is pedaling (pedal-assist) and only go up to 20 mph. Class 2 e-bikes can provide power whether or not the pedals are moving, but are still limited to 20 mph. Class 3 e-bikes are pedal-assist, but can go up to 28 mph. Class 1 & 2 e-bikes are allowed by state law anywhere any other bike is allowed. Class 3 e-bikes are only allowed on roadways and bike lanes/trails/paths adjacent to roadways, and users must be at least 16 years old and wear a helmet.
Humboldt County Proposes a Bunch of Culvert Replacements with SB 1 Money
But they admit they probably won’t get enough money to do them all.
Bike Month Activities Continue
Events in the coming week include a bike tour of historic Eureka properties tomorrow (Saturday), a film screening on Tuesday, Bike to School Day on Wednesday and Bike to Work Day in Arcata on Thursday.
Great Redwood Trail Act Amended Again; NCRA Loses in Court
The new amendments to Senator McGuire’s bill are mostly minor clarifying edits, although a clause specifically addressing the CEQA litigation between environmental groups and the North Coast Railroad Authority (see above) has also been removed for reasons which are not clear. Meanwhile, the environmental groups scored a major victory in that litigation this week as the US Supreme Court refused to take up the NCRA’s appeal of previous rulings. McGuire’s bill is set to be heard next by the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Drive Less on the North Coast by Redesigning Our Communities
The North Coast Journal publishes a letter from CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske.
California Sues Trump Administration Over CAFE Standards Rollback
17 other states are joining in, too. Meanwhile, trucking industry executives say they’d rather keep the Obama-era standards anyway.
The Third Rail of Transportation is Car Supremacy
A New York Times op-ed powerfully addresses the seemingly untouchable dominance of automobiles in our cities.
How to Do Transit-Oriented Development Without Gentrification
A case study from Oakland.
Freight Transportation Technology is Changing Fast
The industry is developing electric trucks, drones and pedal-powered vehicles for “last-mile” delivery and other links in the supply chain.
The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.