County Told to Reduce Project’s Climate-Harming Emissions

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

April 8, 2022

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.

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.

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.

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.

Electric Vehicles Will Not Save Us

Posted on April 1, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

April 1, 2022

“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.)

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.

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.”

The Principles of Good Infill Development

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

March 25, 2022

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.

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.

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.

Who Should Have Priority in McKinleyville: Walkers, Bikers or Developers?

Posted on March 18, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

March 18, 2022

Committee Is Split on Prioritizing Walking and Biking in McKinleyville Town Center
At their meeting this week, members of the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee all said they supported bike and pedestrian safety, but some nevertheless continued to argue (despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary) that a Central Avenue road diet would cause unacceptable harm to local businesses and commuters. Reflecting these divisions, the Committee also asked county staff to come back to them with two versions of a town center ordinance: one that prioritizes walkability and bikeability, and one that gives developers free reign to do almost anything they want. All we can say is that next Wednesday’s meeting, when they will weigh the two ordinances side by side and perhaps take a final vote on the road diet concept, will be a wild ride.

McKay Subdivision Back on Supes Agenda Next Week
The big suburban development at the edge of the Cutten will finally be voted on by Humboldt County Supervisors next Tuesday. CRTP has been requesting significant changes to reduce the project’s car-dependence and climate impacts. Without those changes, we can’t support the project. Keep an eye out for more information early next week.

Huffman Earmarks $5 Million for Hammond Trail Bridge Replacement
It’s official: the federal budget will help the county maintain this critical active transportation link between Arcata and McKinleyville.

Humboldt Supes Approve Big Airport Investments
The investments include a new fuel tank and hangar upgrades at Murray Field – despite it being directly in the path of sea level rise – and $5.6 million for a massive increase in parking capacity at the main airport in McKinleyville. We wonder how many zero-emission airport buses or shuttles could have been put into service for the cost of all those new parking spaces.

Mark Your Calendar: McKinleyville Pop-Up Demonstrations & Community Meeting
The ongoing multi-modal planning project will have pop-up street safety demonstrations and another public meeting in the next few weeks. En español aquí.

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 906 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Yup, There Really Is Plenty of Parking in Downtown Eureka
Believe it or not, it’s there.

Support Grows for Banning New Car Culture Restaurants
Drive-throughs are bad for many reasons.

Lots of Cool Transportation Bills in State Legislature
Several good bills that were vetoed by the governor last session are back in modified form, as well as some exciting new ones.

Will New Car Safety Ratings Consider Pedestrians?
The federal government’s new ratings system will likely incorporate high-tech devices that help detect pedestrians – but won’t address the root cause of growing pedestrian danger, namely bigger and bigger vehicles.

Mining the Sea Floor to Feed Our Car Addiction
Add it to the long list of reasons that electric vehicles won’t solve all our problems.

Could High Gas Prices Spur Investment in Alternatives?
It’s happened before. But chances this time seem somewhat diminished by the rush of legislators to address the symptom rather than the problem.

A Drive-Through Moratorium in Eureka?

Posted on March 11, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

March 11, 2022

Housing Is an Environmental Issue
If you’re wondering why, check out this piece in the latest EcoNews edition by EPIC Executive Director Tom Wheeler and CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske.

Eureka City Council to Talk Parking, Housing, and Land Use
Did you know that Eureka is supposed to have complete streets design guidelines, a pedestrian and bicycle master plan, and a plan for implementing car-free areas in the city? These are among the measures the city promised in its General Plan which the latest Annual Progress Report shows they have not yet accomplished. The report will be discussed at Tuesday’s Council meeting, along with the ongoing downtown parking study and another annual report on housing.

A Drive-Through Moratorium in Eureka?
The idea of stopping the endless parade of what we call car-culture restaurants – at least temporarily – may be gaining momentum. We fully support the proposal for a ban or moratorium on these emissions-producing, safety-threatening, socially isolating establishments that further local reliance on cars.

Harbor District Gets Port Development Money – for Wind, not Coal
At its meeting yesterday, the Board accepted a $10.5 million grant for preparing the port for offshore wind development. CRTP fully supports offshore wind and wants to make sure that further port development comes with needed active transportation and transit improvements on the peninsula. Also at its meeting last night, the Harbor District Board adopted an ordinance prohibiting coal handling and storage, becoming the latest local government to take a stand against the efforts by shadowy corporations to take over the right-of-way for the future Great Redwood Trail and use it to export coal by rail.

Arcata Committee to Discuss Safety Solutions
In the wake of recent tragedies and many complaints from residents, the Transportation Safety Committee will discuss how to make the city’s streets safer. Related items on Tuesday’s agenda include discussion of a recent state law that makes it easier to lower speed limits and the city’s draft complete streets policy.

People Want Walkable, Bikeable Infill Development on the Eureka Waterfront
That was the overwhelming message from those who attended last night’s public meeting on waterfront planning and voted in live polls about various types of potential development in the area. Also notable is that the majority of attendees opposed more parking in each of the three sub-areas, with 40% saying there should be no new parking at all.

Revised Draft Town Center Ordinance to Be Discussed Next Week
What will be in the new version? Will there be a road diet for Central Avenue? Attend Wednesday’s McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee meeting to find out. Also mark your calendars for April 1st and 2nd, when the county plans to hold pop-up demonstrations of streets safety improvements on Hiller and Pickett Roads.

Valley West Needs a Major Transportation Overhaul
Check out this article by CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske and Valley West advocate Lucy Salazar to learn more.

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 904 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Humboldt Residents Back in Their Cars – But Not Back on the Bus?
Cell phone data indicate that driving levels may be close to the pre-pandemic “normal.” On the other hand, local transit ridership is still way down, perhaps due to the number of college students who still aren’t attending in-person classes. But riding the bus isn’t just for students. Come on, Humboldt – get on the bus!

About Those Gas Prices…
High gas prices have historically been associated with less driving and more transit ridership, both things we desperately need. But high prices also affect low-income people disproportionately, highlighting the fact that leaving it up to global markets to determine transportation incentives will not result in fair and equitable solutions.

State Funding Still Prioritizes Cars and Trucks
A telling staff report for next week’s California Transportation Commission meeting reveals that two-thirds of the money from the state’s main capacity-funding program is still earmarked for streets and highways, while transit and active transportation have to split the rest. In fact, the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) still explicitly prioritizes projects that “meet highway needs” over those that address the climate crisis.

Broadway Improvements Coming. Your Voice Was Heard!

Posted on March 4, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

March 4, 2022

Broadway Improvements Coming – Your Voice Was Heard!
If you signed our petition for a safer Broadway last fall and have been wondering what came of it, listen to the latest episode of the EcoNews Report for an update. The short version is that Caltrans received the petition and heard our requests, and now they are planning significant bike and pedestrian improvements throughout the Broadway corridor in the relatively near term. They are also for the first time including CRTP and other stakeholders in their internal project development meetings, giving us the opportunity to help shape the designs from the beginning. This is a major shift in the way Caltrans works, and it wouldn’t have happened without you!

A Better Way to Fund Transportation Improvements
Join David Cobb of Cooperation Humboldt and the California Public Banking Alliance to hear about the potential for public banks to fund needed infrastructure and other improvements without the need to pad the pockets of private banks with exorbitant interest rates and profit margins.

Council Confirms Support for Transit Center
In another unanimous vote this week, the Eureka City Council released two downtown parking lots for future development of the “EaRTH Center” transit and housing hub.

Eureka Waterfront Plan Meeting Next Week
Register for this public meeting next Thursday to provide your input and support for walkable, transit-oriented waterfront development!

Bike Ride Honors Those Killed on the Road in Arcata
The monthly Critical Mass bike ride stopped at the intersection of St. Louis Road and Janes Creek Drive to remember Jennifer Garcia, who was struck and killed by a driver there last month.

Gateway Plan Scoping Meeting Rescheduled for Next Week
A Zoom snafu forced the previously scheduled meeting to be scrapped. But next Thursday the City of Arcata will hold a new public meeting to receive input on what types of environmental impacts should be considered as the Gateway Area Plan and the rest of the General Plan update move forward.

Humboldt Supervisors Consider Increasing Transient Occupancy Tax
Transportation improvements are some of the potential uses listed for new tax revenues. Could this be an opportunity to better fund local public transit and active transportation infrastructure?

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 900 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Another Car Culture Restaurant in Eureka?
Don’t we have enough car-oriented infrastructure around here? We stand with those calling for a ban on new drive-through facilities in the city.

Humboldt Gas Prices Spiking
Just another reason to rely on active transportation and clean transit instead of notoriously unreliable fossil fuels. Nobody ever fought a war to control access to bicycles.

“But How Are We Going to Pay For It?”
That’s a common refrain from opponents to dense infill development. Here’s a primer on why this kind of development is the only kind that actually pays for itself.

Is California Finally Getting Serious About Funding Sustainable Transportation?
A new report from one of the state’s own agencies calls for an overhaul of the transportation funding system to get it in line with the state’s climate goals.

Big Trucks and SUVs Are Dangerous for Kids
Automakers have tried to convince parents that bigger cars will protect their kids. But what if your kid is on the outside of the car?

Eureka Council Returns to Downtown Parking Lot Discussion

Posted on February 25, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

February 25, 2022

Committee Nears Consensus on Central Ave Lane Reduction
At its meeting this week, McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee members acknowledged the overwhelming public support they’d heard from all of you for a “road diet” on Central Avenue. With that in mind, a consensus emerged for reducing the number of lanes on Central throughout the Town Center area. This wouldn’t have happened without you! There is still debate over whether the road diet will mean removing 2 lanes (leaving 1 in each direction and a two-way turn lane in the middle) or removing 3 lanes (leaving 1 in each direction with a landscaped median). CRTP supports the option with the landscaped median, which would calm traffic more effectively and reduce the number of vehicular conflicts encountered by people walking and biking.

Eureka Transit Center Parking Lots Back on Council Agenda
The Eureka City Council unanimously approved the proposed downtown transit and housing center two weeks ago, despite complaints from opponents about the loss of parking. Next Tuesday, they’ll have to revisit the subject in order to officially authorize the transformation of the existing parking lots for that purpose. (It’s a bureaucratic requirement dating back to the 1950s, when the city first built downtown parking lots.) We don’t expect any change in the Council’s decision. But we’re sure there will be more parking grievances aired at the meeting, so if you live or work in Eureka, you might want to remind the Council how much you support the transit center project.

Eureka’s Linc Housing Projects Delayed by Funding Issues
We’re disappointed to report that the first round of affordable housing slated to be built on downtown parking lots – along with bike, pedestrian and transit improvements – did not win the hoped-for state grant funding. The non-profit developer, Linc Housing, hasn’t given up, though! They’re looking at other funding sources or possibly re-applying for the same grant again next year.

Downtown Eureka Densification Continues
A new four-story mixed-use building with rooftop bar is in the works (replacing a one-story building). There is no opposition to this project, a notable fact given the fierce reaction to other proposed downtown projects. When considering why this might be, we think it is instructive to note this project’s most salient differences from those other projects: this one one won’t take away any parking spaces or serve lower-income residents.

Some People Have Airport Problems
Murray Field, a county-owned airport used only by private pilots, is pondering whether to increase rents and replace degraded fuel tanks. Some local pilots are upset by the changes, some of which are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce the county’s long-time airport operating subsidies. We question the idea of further subsidizing this most carbon-intensive of travel modes, especially given that Murray Field and its fuel tanks are directly in the path of rising seas.

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 898 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Changes at the Top
Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin has been a breath of fresh air since his appointment in 2019, leading the agency in a new direction more focused on safe and sustainable transportation. Governor Newsom recently promoted Omishakin to State Transportation Agency Secretary, leaving big shoes to fill at Caltrans. CRTP is joining with many other organizations across the state in urging Newsom to appoint current Caltrans Deputy Director and past bike and pedestrian advocate Jeanie Ward-Waller as the new Director.

Bombing, Shooting and…Gas Prices?
A startling amount of reporting about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine this week – not to mention the international response – has focused not on the horrors of war or the threat to democracy but on the impact to gas prices. These distorted priorities a symptom of a broken and inhumane transportation system.

“The Absurd Primacy of the Automobile in American Life”
We couldn’t have said it any better ourselves.

Want to Understand How Parking Policy Actually Works?
Check out this webinar from Bay Area advocacy group TransForm.

Carmakers Making Sure Tailpipe Emissions Are the Only Problem EVs Will Solve
Even with the transition to electric power, companies are doubling-down on huge, dangerous, inefficient vehicles.

Focus on McKinleyville’s Central Avenue

Posted on February 18, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

February 18, 2022

Last Day to Comment on Fish Farm Environmental Documents
If you need inspiration about what to say, check out the detailed comments just submitted by CRTP and a long list of our environmental allies.

McKinleyville Meeting Will Focus on Central Avenue
Next Wednesday at 6 pm, the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee will continue its discussion of the draft Town Center Ordinance. The discussion is expected to focus on the proposal to narrow Central Avenue from 4 to 2 lanes in this area. Thanks to you, MMAC members have heard a lot of support for this idea since their last meeting. If you can, please show up on Wednesday and support it in person, too!

Arcata City Council Approves Long-Delayed Old Arcata Road Project
The project will bring much-needed bike and pedestrian improvements, along with a roundabout that sparked a lot of controversy. CRTP supports the project, but we do have serious concerns about the difficulty that roundabouts can present to bicyclists and pedestrians – especially those who are vision-impaired.

Arcata Residents Worried About Traffic Safety
For the normally sparsely-attended Transportation Safety Committee, this week’s meeting was unusual. A steady stream of residents spoke out about the urgency of addressing the lack of safety on our streets for people walking and biking, spurred on by the two recent tragic collisions in town as well as by regular close calls for kids and parents noted by staff at Pacific Union School on Janes Road. The Committee promised to agendize a full discussion of the issue at its next meeting, and also moved ahead with a conversation on the proposed Complete Streets Policy support by CRTP.

Driver Hits Skateboarder in Eureka
We are grateful that the victim in this collision appears to be OK. But this is an important reminder that people using skateboards are just as vulnerable as people walking and biking on our local streets. So if you see us use the term “rolling” – as in, “walking, biking and rolling” – we’re talking about skateboards, as well as scooters, wheelchairs, and other similar devices.

Bay Trail Inches Toward Completion, While New Obstacles Arise
Humboldt County acquired a key easement this week, but significant hurdles remain – including the possibility of a bureaucratic funding freeze related to the county’s accounting woes. Meanwhile, slow progress continues toward the Great Redwood Trail (of which the Bay Trail would eventually be a part), and people continue to drive dangerously in the Safety Corridor (which the Bay Trail will allow pedestrians and bicyclists to avoid).

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 895 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Car Hits Car Dealership
This is yet another reminder of the destructive power of the vehicles. We also note the interesting fact that media coverage completely failed to note the irony of the incident, perhaps another indicator of the way we accept these dangerous machines as normal features of our everyday lives. We suspect that the coverage might have had a different tone in an analogous situation involving a different industry – if, say, someone had broken the window of a skate shop by swinging a skateboard, or went after a sporting goods store with a baseball bat.

State Legislative Leaders Voice Concerns About Newsom’s Gas Tax Break
Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins also addressed the need for more reforms to encourage infill housing.

Housing Costs Still Out of Reach for Most Local Residents
And we can expect climate change-driven wildfires to only increase the problem going forward. The urgency is growing to build more dense, infill housing in places not susceptible to wildfires and sea level rise – giving people cheaper homes where they can drive less and contribute less to climate chaos, and also be safer from its impacts.

Eureka Downtown Transit and Housing Center Approved!

Posted on February 11, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

February 11, 2022

Eureka Downtown Transit and Housing Center Approved!
Even better, the City Council committed to making a lot of the housing affordable and expressed support for adding even more residential units. Thanks to all of you who showed up at this week’s meeting or sent in your comments, the Council heard from more people in enthusiastic support of this project than they did from the opposition – whose only concern appeared to be the loss of some parking spots. The project still needs to secure funding and jump through some additional hoops, but this is a major step forward.

Arcata Committee to Consider Complete Streets Policy
Next Tuesday, the Transportation Safety Committee will give input on a proposed policy headed to the City Council. The policy is based on a model provided by RCCER. It requires the city to add new bike, pedestrian and transit features whenever they do a maintenance, repair or new construction project on city streets – or to publicly justify why they aren’t. CRTP fully supports the policy, but we are concerned that city staff have removed an equity provision from the model ordinance requiring the city to concentrate on historically disadvantaged neighborhoods. We’ll be providing our feedback at the meeting, and we encourage you to come too!

Driver Hits Person on Bike in Arcata, Resulting in Major Injury
Not much information is available yet, but our thoughts are with the victim and their family.

Nordic Aquafarms Comment Period Ends Next Friday
The massive project would create a lot of new truck trips and use as much electricity as a whole town. Check our yesterday’s action alert for information about weighing in on the environmental document.

Huffman Talks Infrastructure (and a Lot More)
Check out the latest EcoNews Report, in which North Coast Congressman Jared Huffman joined CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske and other local environmental leaders to talk about Build Back Better and a lot of other important topics.

Gateway Plan Edges Closer to City Council
The bike and pedestrian-friendly plan for dense, walkable, infill development continues to draw a lot of opposition, so it’s important to show up at every opportunity to support it!

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 892 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Fortuna Looks at Improving a Dangerous Intersection
The City Council also voted to continue its partnership with Bird scooters, which were first deployed in the city last year.

Full Cycle Compost Is Still Pedaling Strong
Everyone’s favorite local bicycle-powered composting service estimates that, since it started last May, it has diverted 5.4 tons of material from the landfill – and produced lots of great compost for the Jardín Santuario community garden and Caudal Fin Farm. And they’re accepting new subscribers! If this business can run on bicycles, imagine the possibilities for other local businesses.

Want to Develop Dense, Affordable Housing in Humboldt?
If you’re in a position to do it, be sure to register for next week’s workshop for developers to learn how.

Federal Money Coming for EV Chargers
As we’ve said many times before, rapid electrification of transportation is critical for fighting the climate crisis. But let’s not forget the other side of the equation – we also just have to drive a lot less.

County Planning Commission Ignores the Big Issues (Again)

Posted on February 4, 2022 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

February 4, 2022

Downtown Eureka Transit Center Meeting Next Week
An exciting plan to build a long-needed downtown transit center in Eureka will be the subject of a special City Council meeting next Wednesday at 6 pm. The plan includes not just a hub for existing bus routes but also new dedicates routes to Cal Poly Humboldt; carshare and bikeshare hubs; new zero emission buses; a childcare center and pharmacy; and 2-3 stories of housing on top. CRTP is in full support of the plan, although we do think there should be even more housing included. Show up on Wednesday to voice your support!

Grieving Jennifer Garcia
The beloved community member died from her injuries a week after a driver hit her in a crosswalk on St. Louis Road in Arcata. She reportedly spent the last moment prior to the collision pushing the stroller containing her young child out of the path of the oncoming vehicle. We not only mourn her loss, but demand that our streets be redesigned to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again and again.

Planning Commission Again Ignores Concerns Over McKay Development
The Humboldt County Planning Commission considered one last piece of the massive McKay Tract suburban subdivision project last night: a formal Development Agreement with the County. Commissioners again ignored public and agency input, along with official county plans for reducing driving and greenhouse gas emissions, and recommended that Supervisors approve the project with no modifications. Clearly the Commissioners need to be educated about the real and urgent issues facing our region – if only they would listen.

Cal Poly Humboldt Declare Focus on Climate, Proposes Parking Garages
No, that’s not a mistake or a joke. The newly renamed Cal Poly Humboldt has declared its intention to educate the next generation of climate leaders, and at the same time is proposing to build the region’s first two parking garages to continue catering to our nation’s biggest climate killer – the automobile.

Want to Make Eureka More Walkable, Bikeable, and Transit-Friendly?
Join the City’s Transportation Safety Commission! There are currently two open seats, and the Commission needs members who understand transportation issues. If you’re reading this, that’s probably you!

Board of Supervisors Moves Forward With Anti-Coal Ordinance
On Tuesday, Humboldt County became the latest local government to propose an ordinance aimed at preventing transportation and export of coal from Humboldt Bay, and protecting the future Great Redwood Trail. Supervisors voted unanimously to move the ordinance forward. Final adoption will come at a future meeting.

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 886 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.

Arcata City Council Tours New Sorrel Place
The new four-story affordable apartment building a block off of the Plaza includes lots of transportation amenities, such as free bus passes for all residents over the age of two and dedicated indoor bike storage rooms. The project also came with funding for sidewalk and transit improvements, which the City is in the process of implementing. It’s a preview of what could come with redevelopment of the Gateway Area.

Vast Majority of Pedestrians Killed Recently in Portland Were Houseless
A new assessment found that 70% of people killed while walking in the city in 2021 had no permanent shelter. This kind of data is rarely available, but anecdotal evidence suggests that the trend is likely similar in other places as well, including on the North Coast. We strongly suspect that one of the reasons pedestrian deaths do not generally get much public attention is the indefensible but common dehumanization of houseless people who are often the victims.

Higher Gas Prices Mean Less Sprawl
A new study adds to the evidence that getting people to drive less – and build less car-oriented neighborhoods – requires not only incentives to walk, bike and take the bus, but also disincentives for driving.