The Collector

May 27, 2022

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Arcata Council to Hear Update on Gateway, Other Infill Plans
Next Wednesday, the Council will review a report of the planning process to date. At the same meeting, they will consider a number of possible housing and community development projects to apply for a new state funding opportunity. Meanwhile, Council candidates discussed related topics at a recent forum.

Even More on That Gateway Plan Review Process
The city’s Planning Commission will continue to hold meetings throughout the summer. This is the most walkable, bikeable, transit-friendly plan ever produced in our region, and CRTP strongly supports it. But so far, most of these meetings have featured a parade of the same small cast of characters railing against every aspect of the plan. If you want to see the dense infill housing and car-light transportation designs promised by the Gateway Plan, please consider showing up at some of these meetings to voice your support.

Another Car-Culture Restaurant Coming to Broadway
The drive-through establishment considered by the Eureka Design Review Committee this week will have 3 times as many parking spaces as required by the zoning code. This car-oriented design encourages even more of the dangerous traffic that already plagues Broadway, even as vulnerable road users continue to be hit by drivers. Plus, if this were a pedestrian-oriented project, all that space devoted to parking and drive aisles could instead host more tax-generating commercial uses, or even housing. In fact, this exact property did host low-income housing not very long ago. From our perspective, this is a perfect example of the need to stop allowing these wasteful building designs in our communities.

McGuire To Host Town Hall on Coal Train Threat
Tune in next Wednesday to hear from our State Senator and others about the latest decision by federal regulators.

Eureka Parking Lot Housing Projects Will Look a Little Different
After losing out on some state funding, the developer of the proposed infill housing projects at Sunny & Myrtle, 6th & M, and 8th & G Streets will be trying again with a slightly different design – including, unfortunately, a reduction in density.

Active Transportation and Health
Check out CRTP’s latest piece in the EcoNews. And while you’re there, read this great article about street safety as well.

Grand Jury Urges Action on Sea Level Rise
Many streets, roads and trails are among the critical pieces of infrastructure that will be threatened by rising water levels around Humboldt Bay in the coming decades.

We’re Actually Even Further Behind on Housing Production Than We Thought
EPIC Executive Director (and CRTP Board Member) Tom Wheeler lays out why the population projections that form the basis of state housing requirements are probably wrong, and makes the case for more infill housing.

McKinleyville Shoulder Widening Goes Out to Bid
The project will help improve safety on Central Avenue near Bella Vista, a notoriously dangerous area where multiple people have lost their lives while walking or biking.

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Street Story: The Public Platform for Street Safety
Local residents have made 923 reports so far. Are you making your reports? La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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Humboldt County Planning Director Resigns
John Ford has been a central figure in many local transportation and land use issues, from the McKinleyville Town Center to the regional Climate Action Plan to the McKay subdivision project. It remains to be seen how his departure will affect all of these important plans and projects.

Transportation Bills Moving in State Legislature
Bills which passed the Assembly this week include one providing free transit passes for kids, one that prohibits local governments from requiring parking at new developments near transit, one requiring the state to develop bike parking standards for new buildings, one legalizing “safety stops” for bikes, one decriminalizing “jaywalking”, one requiring transportation funding to align with climate targets, and many more.

Oregon Moves Forward with Major Parking Reform
A state agency recently voted to mandate that city’s eliminate many of their minimum parking requirements. California could be next.

How Much Money Is Newsom Giving to Active Transportation?
Not enough.

California’s Transportation System Produces Even More Emissions Than We Thought
Emissions reductions from “low-carbon fuels” produced by industrial dairies are being double-counted in the state’s greenhouse gas inventories.

Submit Your Comments on Proposed New Car Safety Ratings
The federal government is actually acknowledging the existence of people outside of cars in their new ratings, which is an improvement. But they’re still not doing nearly enough.

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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.

The Collector

May 20, 2022

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Arcata Adopts Region’s First Complete Streets Policy!
The new policy requires bike, pedestrian and transit improvements in almost every street project. This policy should dramatically speed up the completion of safe, comfortable, and convenient transportation networks for car-free travel.

Federal Agency Opens the Door to Coal Train Threat
This week, the Surface Transportation Board ruled that coal interests could continue with their bid to take over the old North Coast Railroad Authority right-of-way and block the creation of the Great Redwood Trail. CRTP and the No Coal in Humboldt coalition are gearing up to make sure this doesn’t happen. The STB also ruled that the Annie & Mary line was legally abandoned long ago, a decision which will make it much harder to find land for the long-planned Annie & Mary Trail from Arcata to Blue Lake. (Thankfully, the trail portion that is closest to construction within Arcata city limits is mostly unaffected.) This ruling is disappointing, but not surprising from an agency that promotes railroads above all else, and doesn’t consider trails a “valid public purpose.”

Arcata Planning Commission to Consider Gateway Streetscape Plan
The streetscape design is intended to follow best practices for creating safe, comfortable, engaging places to walk and bike. Show up next Tuesday evening to give your input.

Person Killed by Driver While Walking in Arcata
We mourn the loss of Troy Rassbach, and we say again: It is the responsibility of our government agencies (in this case Caltrans) to design safe roads, and it is the responsibility of drivers to prevent loss of life from the massive, dangerous machines they are operating at high speeds.

City Councils Discuss Draft Climate Action Plan
The plan got a generally positive reaction in Eureka and Arcata, but had some doubters in Fortuna. Because most of our region’s climate-harming emissions come from transportation, much of the plan’s focus is on reducing car and truck travel and transitioning to zero emission vehicles.

Bike Celebration Tomorrow!
It’s still Bike Month, so don’t miss Saturday’s Bike Celebration at the Jefferson Community Center in Eureka. CRTP will be there – will you?

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Street Story Helps Make the Case for Safety Projects
Local advocates, agencies, and the public can use the reports of hazards, collisions and near-misses on local streets. Local residents have made 919 reports so far. Are you making your reports? La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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Indianola Interchange Project Exceeds Budget (Again)
The Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) has devoted millions of local transportation dollars to the project already. Their Board discussed the latest budget issues at its meeting yesterday.

Car Brakes and Tires Emit a Lot of Pollution
In the case of health-harming particulate matter, they may even emit more than the exhaust pipes. Find out more at an upcoming research webinar.

Know an Elected Official Who Supports Complete Streets?
Encourage them to apply for this national training on how to be an effective champion for bike, pedestrian and transit infrastructure.

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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.

The Collector

May 13, 2022

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Eureka City Council to Talk Street Closures, Climate Action Plan
The city finally closed some downtown streets to protect pedestrians during last week’s Arts Alive, but some businesses aren’t happy about it. Also on Tuesday’s agenda: a review of the current draft regional Climate Action Plan.

Bike Month Continues!
Next Thursday is Bike to Work Day in Eureka. Add a stop on your bike commute at the North Coast Co-op between 7 and 9:30 am for free snacks, drinks, and more.

4th District Candidates Talk About Transportation
One of the first questions answered by the candidates was from CRTP. Check out the video to see what they each said about reducing the role of cars in out communities. Check out some related comments they made at a different forum here.

Arcata Complete Streets Policy Moving Forward
The city’s Transportation Safety Committee (TSC) will discuss the draft policy on Tuesday, and the City Council is expected to adopt it on Wednesday. If so, it will be the first (but hopefully not the last) local government to officially adopt a policy requiring the inclusion of bike, pedestrian and transit improvements in almost every street project. Also on the TSC’s Tuesday agenda are a speed study for 11th Street, one of the city’s main thoroughfares, and a discussion of developing a local road safety plan.

Blue Lake Mixed-Use Housing Project Proposed
We love a good affordable housing project, especially when combined with commercial space to help reduce trip lengths. Two parking spaces for every single unit seems a little excessive, though, even in a car-dependent town like Blue Lake. Just think of all the additional housing that could fit in the same space with a little less parking!

CRTP Executive Director to Present at Street Story Webinar
Register for the webinar to hear about how CRTP and Caltrans District 1 are using Street Story in our region. And keep making those reports!

Property Negotiations Continue for Annie & Mary Trail
At its meeting on Thursday, the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District discussed easements for the section of trail from Arcata to the first Water District pump station.

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Street Story Helps Make the Case for Safety Projects
Local advocates, agencies, and the public can use the reports of hazards, collisions and near-misses on local streets. Local residents have made 914 reports so far. Are you making your reports? La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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Huffman Grills Federal Railbanking Agency About Great Redwood Trail
Check out the video of our North Coast Congressman questioning the chair of the federal Surface Transportation Board about coal trains and trails.

Groups Ask State for Accelerated Timeline for Zero-Emission Cars
Check out and sign the petition co-sponsored by local climate action group 350 Humboldt. While you’re at it, you can also sign this petition asking for faster action to cut climate-harming emissions from all sources.

State to Adopt New Guidelines for Major Transportation Funding Program
The updates include an increased emphasis on active transportation and more requirements for early project planning transparency from Caltrans. Also on next week’s California Transportation Commission agenda are tentative approval for new Humboldt Transit Authority bus purchases and appointment of Arcata Mayor Stacy Atkins-Salazar to a statewide committee charged with coming up with a way to charge drivers by the mile to help fund infrastructure (meant to replace the gas tax, though here at CRTP we think the gas tax should stay too).

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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.

The Collector

May 6, 2022

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May Is Bike Month!
Next Thursday is Bike to Work Day in Arcata. Add a stop on your bike commute at the North Coast Co-op between 7 and 9:30 am for free snacks, drinks, and more. And don’t forget about the dozens of other businesses offering special deals to people who bike next week.

Another CRTP Co-Sponsored Candidate Forum Next Week
Tune in to hear from candidates for the Humboldt County Fourth District Supervisor seat on a variety of important topics – including transportation. Last week’s Fifth District forum – and subsequent reporting – yielded interesting responses from the candidates about transportation, land use, the climate crisis, and the McKinleyville Town Center plans. We note that, despite all the talk about the “rural lifestyle,” the majority of Fifth District residents live in urban/suburban McKinleyville.

More Gateway Discussion at the Arcata Planning Commission
The Commission will continue talking about the transportation-related parts of the plan next Tuesday evening. They will also discuss proposed changes to General Plan land use designations throughout the city. Check out what City Council candidates have to say about the Gateway Plan and other topics here.

New Federal Street Safety Funds Available
The new Safe Streets and Roads for All program will provide funding for local governments to develop and implement Vision Zero “comprehensive safety action plan.” The Technical Advisory Committee of the Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) discussed the new Safe Streets and Roads for All program at its meeting this week. We deeply hope that our region’s local governments take advantage of this funding and develop comprehensive and effective safety plans.

Planning Work Continues for Last Chance Grade
Caltrans is in the midst of conducting engineering and environmental studies for what is hoped to be a permanent solution to the constantly sliding segment of Highway 101.

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Street Story Helps Make the Case for Safety Projects
Local advocates, agencies, and the public can use the reports of hazards, collisions and near-misses on local streets. Local residents have made 913 reports so far. Are you making your reports? La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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Fortuna City Council Approves a Little Infill Development
At the same meeting, they recognized bike month and committed to prioritizing street safety.

Newsom Wants to Give Drivers Money
Legislative leaders are pursuing what seems to us like a better idea – give money to people who need it, regardless of whether they own a car.

Transportation Equity Expert Appointed to State Commission
Not so long ago, it seemed like California Transportation Commissioners never saw a big highway project they didn’t like, and didn’t give much thought to other modes of transportation at all. That’s slowly changing.

“Bike Omnibus Bill” Passes State Assembly
AB 1909 would make several legal changes to encourage the use of both regular bikes and e-bikes.

Why Are Electric Vehicles Still So Expensive?
It’s complicated. But mostly because of marketing decisions made by the big automakers.

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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.

The Collector

April 29, 2022

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May Is Bike Month!
The fun kicks off on Sunday with a bike scavenger hunt in Arcata, and continues with Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day next Wednesday. Don’t forget to register for the friendly Love to Ride bike challenge for a chance to win some prizes, and check out the perks local bike-friendly businesses are offering riders during the month. The May EcoNews also has several great Bike Month features worth a read.

CRTP Co-Sponsored Candidate Forum Next Week
Tune in to hear from candidates for the Humboldt County Fifth District Supervisor seat on a variety of important topics – including transportation.

Supporters Show Up at Gateway Plan Meeting
A steady stream of people supporting dense, infill housing development in the Gateway Area asked the Arcata Planning Commission on Tuesday to keep moving the plan forward with an equitable, time-efficient process. The Commission took a small step in that direction with a promise to (tentatively) schedule further in advance which topics in the plan will be reviewed at which meetings.

Check Out the Plan for Safety Pop-Up Demonstrations on Broadway
This is the first step toward the near-term safety improvements we’ve been advocating for. While we’ve learned that the pop-ups won’t be ready for Bike Month as previously planned, they should be coming soon thereafter. We’ll keep you posted.

Old Arcata Road Project to Be Heard by County Planning Commission
Because a very small portion of the long-planned project is actually on unincorporated county land, the County Planning Commission will be discussing it next Thursday.

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Street Story Helps Make the Case for Safety Projects
Local advocates, agencies, and the public can use the reports of hazards, collisions and near-misses on local streets. Local residents have made 913 reports so far. Are you making your reports? La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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More on That Fee to Clean Up Abandoned Vehicles
Imagine if we had vehicle registration fees to cover the other costs imposed by cars on our communities – injuries and deaths, air and water and noise pollution, climate chaos, social isolation…

More Sidewalk Improvements Coming
Buried in the Humboldt Board of Supervisors’ agenda this week was a report on the upcoming “Phase 2” of the County’s multi-year ADA sidewalk improvement project (expect more improvements in the McKinleyville and Eureka areas) and an agreement with Caltrans around its plan to improve sidewalks on 5th Street in Eureka.

What’s Keeping Our Air (Relatively) Clean?
We don’t have as many cars as other parts of the state. But that doesn’t mean the number of cars and trucks we do have is healthy.

Groups Organize for Free Public Transit for California Youth
There’s a bill in the state legislature that would actually do that! And while you’re advocating, you may as well ask legislators to give some of their budget surplus to local transit agencies too.

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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.

The Collector

April 22, 2022

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Arcata City Council Shows Support for Complete Streets Policy
At its meeting this Wednesday, the three Councilmembers present all indicated support for the draft policy and for CRTP’s suggested amendments to make it even stronger and more equitable. However, adoption was delayed due to the Transportation Safety Committee’s desire to review the policy further.

Countywide Climate Action Plan Available for Public Review
After many months of delay, the draft plan – which would cover Humboldt County and all its incorporated cities – is now posted on the County’s website for public review. Transportation is the source of most of our region’s climate-harming emissions. Does the plan do enough to rein in emissions from cars and trucks? Stay tuned for CRTP’s hot takes.

Drive-Throughs Welcome?
The majority of the Eureka City Council did not seem enthusiastic about banning drive-through businesses when the topic came up on their agenda this week, but additional discussions and a public workshop are likely in the future.

Fish Farm Commits to Transportation Measures
In advertisements leading up to yesterday’s Humboldt County Planning Commission meeting, Nordic AquaFarms confirmed that it has committed to a transportation management plan which will incentivize employees to commute by carpool, van pool, transit, or bike. Working with our allies, CRTP helped negotiate this commitment, along with the company’s commitment to purchase 100% renewable energy. There are more questions that remain to be answered about this huge project and its impacts, but these are important steps in the right direction.

Gateway Plan Meetings and Public Process
The Arcata Planning Commission is expected to hold another meeting on the draft plan next Tuesday. CRTP and our allies think it’s important to point out that a long series of technocratic commission meetings is not a recipe for equitable public engagement. And also: local housing and transportation systems are in crisis. We can’t afford many more delays in delivering dense infill development.

Bike Month is Almost Here
May is Bike Month! Check out the fun local events being planned by the Bike Month Humboldt Coalition.

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Make Your Reports on Street Story
Local advocates and agencies use your reports of the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets to help make the case for safety projects. Local residents have made 913 reports so far. La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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Free “Go Slow” Yard Signs Still Available
The Greater Eureka Area Traffic Safety Task Force would like to remind you that any Humboldt County resident can still get those yard signs for free at Eureka City Hall.

Will North Coast Communities Get More Infrastructure Dollars?
A new Biden administration initiative aims to help rural areas access federal money for transportation and other infrastructure.

Farhad Manjoo on the Urgent Need for Systematic Bike Safety Improvements
The New York Times columnist gets it right once again.

Gas Prices Lead Biden to Break Campaign Promise on Drilling
Our addiction to gas-guzzling vehicles leads to yet another self-destructive decision by an elected official.

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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.

The Collector

April 15, 2022

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Want to Learn About Transportation Issues? Read a Book!
CRTP is excited to announce that we now have our own collection of books available to check out from the Northcoast Environmental Center library. Ranging from Walkable City Rules to Policing the Open Road, we’ve got ten informative and interesting titles available right now, with more to come in the future. Go ahead, educate yourself!

Arcata City Council to Consider Complete Streets Policy
Next Wednesday, the Council is expected to consider adopting a policy that would require new street projects – including repaving and repair – to include all feasible infrastructure improvements for walking, biking, rolling and riding the bus. CRTP strongly supports this policy, which is based on a model provided by the Redwood Coalition for Climate and Environmental Responsibility.

Eureka City Council to Consider Banning New Drive-Throughs
At its meeting next Tuesday, the Council will give staff direction on how to deal with the issue of new drive-through businesses. One of the options on the table, which CRTP fully supports, is a ban on new drive-throughs. These businesses encourage driving, make walking and biking less safe, and keep foot traffic away from other local businesses. Who needs ’em?

Cal Poly Humboldt Adopts New Climate Action Plan
The new “CAP 2.0” includes a number of significant new transportation measures, such as policies to not provide parking passes for first-year students and students who live within a mile and a half of campus. It also promises to investigate providing bus passes to faculty and staff (students already get them) and providing health insurance discounts to employees who walk or bike to work. We’re encouraged by this plan, but confused by the fact that it is accompanied by seemingly conflicting plans to build a bunch of new parking on campus. To find out more, you can register for a forum the university is holding next Monday.

Increased Focus on Housing
A new article in the North Coast Journal highlights the importance of building new housing in areas where people don’t have to drive so much. Meanwhile, a local agency is seeking artists to “convey the hardships and barriers that Humboldt residents (or potential residents) face due to the shortage of housing at all levels, but especially affordable housing, or the lack of housing near school, work, services, or other basic needs.” And Humboldt County is publishing a handbook to encourage small-scale infill development through accessory dwelling units.

Major Milestones for Local Trail Projects
In case you missed it, the final segment of the Humboldt Bay Trail received an important approval recently, and funding is on the way to replace the Hammond Trail Bridge.

Yet Another Meeting About the Gateway Plan
At the umpteenth public meeting about the plan, the Arcata Planning Commission promised to hold even more meetings in the coming months. CRTP pointed out that the way to actually get diverse and equitable input is through the other kind of meeting that staff have been conducting – going to community groups and other places where people already gather and talking about what matters to them in the plan. Endless hours of mind-numbing Commissioner textual analysis, on the other hand, is likely to winnow down participation to only a few die-hard public meeting enthusiasts.

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Make Your Reports on Street Story
Local advocates and agencies use your reports of the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets to help make the case for safety projects. Local residents have made 911 reports so far. La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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We Have Plenty of Unmet Transit Needs
We just don’t have any way to meet them. That’s the now-familiar conclusion of the required annual assessment, set to be adopted by the Humboldt County Association of Governments Board next week. It’s a sign of a deeply broken funding system for public transportation in the country, the state and the county.

Police Warn of Gasoline Theft
Here’s what they don’t mention: no one can steal your fuel if you walk, bike or ride the bus!

Air Resources Board Publishes Draft Rules on Phasing Out Fossil-Powered Cars
But it won’t happen fast enough to meet climate goals. Which is one of the reasons to just drive less.

The Movement for Cleaner Freight Transportation
Local podcaster Wendy Ring highlights some inspiring people-powered victories.

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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.

The Collector

April 8, 2022

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County Warned That McKay Project Must Be All-Electric and Provide Bus Passes
CRTP joined with several allies in telling Humboldt County that state law requires them to implement more climate mitigation measures for the suburban subdivision. The Board of Supervisors was slated to give final approval to the project this week, but it was removed from the agenda after the County received our letter.

Arcata Planning Commission to Continue Discussing Gateway Plan
On Tuesday, the Commission will hear from staff about the years-long process that led up to the current draft plan, and will discuss what that process should look like moving forward. If you, like CRTP, support the Gateway Area Plan and the extensive public process that city staff have already been conducting, we encourage you to show up and let them know.

Eureka Planning Commission to Hear CRTP’s Appeal of Broadway Project Approval
The project involves expanding and remodeling a commercial building on Broadway. Caltrans recommended sidewalk and driveway safety improvements at the site, but the City declined to require them. This certainly isn’t the biggest project to affect the corridor in recent years. But we think the City should take every opportunity – no matter how small – to improve safety on Broadway. The Planning Commission will hear our appeal on Monday.

Local Environmental Group Endorses Candidates for June Primary
The Redwood Coalition for Climate and Environmental Responsibility (RCCER) is endorsing Steve Madrone and Natalie Arroyo for Humboldt County Supervisor, Kimberley White for Arcata City Council, Juan Pablo Cervantes for Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters, and Adrian Kamada for District Attorney.

E-Scooters Coming to Eureka
The city has already signed a contract with Bird Scooters for a pilot program through the end of the year. CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske welcomed the introduction of a new low-carbon transportation option, but urged the city to ensure that parked scooters don’t block sidewalks (a common problem in other cities).

Urbanism, Infill, and Form-Based Codes
Check out the interview with planning expert Dan Zack on the latest episode of the EcoNews Report. And if you missed Dan’s talk last night sponsored by CRTP, let us know and we’ll send you a link to the recording.

Arcata Mayor Can’t Participate in Gateway Discussions
The news leaves the City Council increasingly short-handed as it looks to make the most important decisions about infill development and transportation infrastructure in many years.

Bike Lanes on the Samoa Peninsula?
The new infrastructure financing district has the potential to make it happen.

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Make Your Reports on Street Story
Local advocates and agencies use your reports of the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets to help make the case for safety projects. Local residents have made 910 reports so far. La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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Eureka’s Role in Creating Statewide Affordable Housing Restrictions
It could be argued that the city’s unsavory history adds to its moral responsibility to develop downtown affordable housing now.

The Importance of Land Use Policies for Fighting the Climate Crisis
The new report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) points out the critical role of dense, walkable and bikeable, transit-oriented development to our planet’s future.

Caltrans to Help People Out of Homelessness?
Senator McGuire announced this week that the state agency will be hiring thousands of “formerly homeless residents.”

Bill Would Require Caltrans to Build Wildlife Crossings
Our friends at EPIC are rallying support.

Advocates Urge Faster Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles
2035 won’t cut it.

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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.

The Collector

April 1, 2022

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“Where’s the CAP?”
Public release of the Climate Action Plan under joint development by Humboldt County and its incorporated cities has been delayed over and over again. With the climate crisis already upon us, there’s no time to waste in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled. So what are our local governments waiting for?

Don’t Forget to Register for Next Week’s Webinar!
Next Thursday, CRTP is sponsoring Dan Zack, a long-time urban planner with experience in cities and towns in the Bay Area and the Central Valley, for a talk on “The Principles of Good Infill Development.”

Electric Vehicles Will Not Save Us
Read CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske’s article in the latest EcoNews to find out why.

The Promise and Challenge of E-Bikes
At a meeting next week, a Humboldt County Association of Governments Committee will hear a request to form an ad hoc working group on e-bikes. Local trail managers are apparently concerned about increasing conflicts between faster e-bikes and slow-moving pedestrians. CRTP has been saying for years that walking and biking are not the same, and local trail designers need to provide appropriate space for each rather than assuming they will mix freely with no problems.

Today and Tomorrow: Pop-Up Bike and Pedestrian Improvements in McKinleyville
From 3:30-6:30 pm on Friday and 9:30 am – 12:30 pm on Saturday, you can experience a temporary demonstration of potential improvements to Hiller Road near Central Avenue. Información en español aquí.

Eureka City Council to Hear Presentation from Bird Scooters
Will Eureka become the second local city to welcome a scooter sharing system? (For those not keeping score, Fortuna was the first.)

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Make Your Reports on Street Story
Local advocates and agencies use your reports of the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets to help make the case for safety projects. Local residents have made 909 reports so far. La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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Tired of Waiting for a Crosswalk in Your Neighborhood?
Maybe you should try painting one yourself.

State Housing, Transportation and Air Pollution Agencies to Hold Joint Meeting
The next joint meeting between the Departments of Housing and Community Development, the Transportation Commission, and the Air Resources Board will be held next Thursday. These meetings are always a good place to find out what these state agencies with strong influence over our built environment are thinking about key issues.

Big Batch of Bike Bills Voted Out of Committee
Similar bills in past sessions have taken a lot of work to move forward, but this time the Assembly is moving quickly.

Advocates Ask for More Transit Money in State Budget
Public transit operators are still facing major challenges due to lost ridership during the pandemic.

Senator Padilla Introduces Major Housing Bill
The bill is focused on housing affordability, but it also includes provisions to support safe parking programs and “inclusive, transit-oriented development and infill development.”

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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.

The Collector

March 25, 2022

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Supervisors Approve McKay Subdivision with New Condition
The developer and the majority of Humboldt County Supervisors refused to make even minor modifications to the project to reduce climate-harming emissions. But they did agree that the money set aside for traffic lights could be used instead for bike and pedestrian safety improvements – a small but important change.

Join Us for a Webinar on the Principles of Good Infill Development
Register now for our April 7th webinar with Dan Zack, a long-time urban planner with experience in cities and towns in the Bay Area and the Central Valley that will help shed light on local efforts toward infill development in Eureka, Arcata and McKinleyville.

Person Killed by Driver While Biking on Herrick Avenue
Yet another tragedy brings more grief to our community. At a wide intersection like this, dominated by speeding cars, with no infrastructure for people walking or biking, this kind of thing is infuriatingly predictable. Unfortunately, the information released by police promotes the narrative that the victim was at fault, despite that person no longer being with us to tell their side of the story.

McKinleyville Town Center Decisions Still in the Future
The McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee did not reach a decision on either the town center ordinance or the proposed Central Avenue road diet this week. Once again, committee members seemed split down the middle on both issues.

Crescent City Requests Funding for Road Diet
At a Technical Advisory Committee meeting next week, Crescent City will request $400,000 from the Del Norte Local Transportation Commission to reconstruct Front Street – a project that will include reducing the number of lanes from 4 to 2. If Crescent City can implement a road diet, surely McKinleyville can do it too.

Indianola Interchange Designs Expected Soon
In the face of cost overruns, Caltrans is promising that bike and pedestrian infrastructure will remain part of the project.

Eureka City Council to Hold Visioning Session
Let’s hope their vision is for a safe, walkable, transit-rich, people-friendly city.

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Don’t Forget to Make Your Reports on Street Story
Report the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on local streets, so we can use the data to make things safer in the future. Local residents have made 907 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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Cal Poly Humboldt Still Planning to Add Parking Structures
Mind-bogglingly, the university wants to spend millions of dollars to lock itself into car dependence at a time it is publicly re-dedicating itself to fighting the climate crisis.

It’s Past Time to End Costly Parking Mandates
Even Redding has eliminated parking minimums downtown. What are Humboldt County governments waiting for?

Another Reason to Stop Making Bigger Cars
A new study shows that due to poor visibility, they’re much more likely to hit people who are walking.

Here’s How We Should Be Responding to High Gas Prices
Invest in other forms of transportation and buy back people’s old cars.

Want to Know About Crashes Involving Self-Driving Vehicle Tests on Public Roads?
The State of California won’t tell you.

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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.