The Collector

September 17, 2021

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Citizens Show Opposition to Coal Trains, Support for Trails
In just three days, more than 650 people signed onto a letter to the Surface Transportation Board organized by CRTP and our allies supporting the railbanking process for the Great Redwood Trail and opposing the attempt to take over the rail line for coal trains. The letter was submitted earlier this week. You can still sign on to the coalition’s letter asking the Harbor District to block coal facilities in their jurisdiction.

Have You Signed the Safer Broadway Petition Yet?
More than 170 people have. You don’t have to live in Eureka to sign. You just have to care about the safety of people walking, biking and rolling there.

Assurances of Good Design for Bay to Zoo Trail
The Eureka Planning Commission approved environmental documents for the trail on Monday evening, but only after adding specific directions to city staff to prioritizebike and pedestrian safety on difficult sections of the trail (where it crosses busy streets and where bikes are expected to ride on the road). CRTP advocated vigorously for this outcome, and we’re grateful that the Commission took our concerns seriously.

Double the Student Housing as HSU Expands
Humboldt State University has announced that it intends to build a lot more housing as anticipated enrollment increases over the next few years. Where and how that housing is built, and what university policies come along with it, will determine whether students can easily walk, bike or take the bus to campus, or if Arcata is overrun with new cars.

EPIC Vows to Keep Fighting Richardson Grove Project
The campaign to stop the highway expansion project is far from over.

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You Know the Local Streets in Your Area
Report the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on them, so we can use the data to make things safer in the future. Local residents have reported 775 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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Newsom Signs Infill Housing Bills
Local governments will now have to allow most lot owners in single-family zoning districts to subdivide and build accessory dwelling units, potentially allowing the construction of up to 6 housing units on a single-family zoned parcel. This could allow significantly more housing to be built in local North Coast communities.

How Long Should Police Hold the Cars of Unlicensed Drivers?
Studies suggest that unlicensed drivers account for a disproportionately high number of serious crashes. But they are also more likely to have low incomes and rely on their vehicles for their livelihoods, often living in communities designed for cars where walking, biking and public transit don’t work very well. That makes this a tricky policy question.

Semiconductor Chip Shortage Holds Up Electric Vehicle Manufacturing
Well, really, all vehicle manufacturing. But EVs typically have more chips than gas-powered vehicles.

9-Cent Taxis Transport Residents in Rural South Korea
Where there’s not enough population or infrastructure to support a bus, older low-income residents rely on subsidized taxi rides.

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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

September 10, 2021

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Local Officials Fighting Coal Trains
CRTP is also working with local allies to fight this horrible proposal. One of the most immediate concerns is the potential to disrupt the railbanking process required to make the Great Redwood Trail a reality. We’ll have more information for you as it’s available. In the meantime, we’re happy to report that SB 69, Senator McGuire’s bill to officially convert the North Coast Railroad Authority into the Great Redwood Trail Agency, has just passed the legislature and is on its way to the Governor’s desk.

Sign the Petition for a Safer Broadway!
You don’t have to live in Eureka to sign. You just have to care about the safety of people walking, biking and rolling there. Join the more than 150 people who have already signed, and help us spread the word.

Regional Transportation Plan Workshop on Monday
Attend the Zoom workshop on Monday to show your support for adopting ambitious targets to improve safety, reduce emissions, and reducing driving – and make sure the projects that are funded actually help us meet those goals.

Bay to Zoo Trail at Eureka Planning Commission – Again
Last time, the Commission voted at CRTP’s urging to direct staff to come back with a project description that ensured better bicycle safety on Dolbeer Street and safer pedestrian crossings of major streets. But city staff now appear to be ignoring that direction and presenting the same documents as before. Join the virtual meeting next Monday (9/13) at 5:30 pm – if you’re not at the RTP workshop – to tell the Commission to continue demanding safer designs, and to approve the documents once they get them. (You’ll have to email planning@ci.eureka.ca.gov with your phone number ahead of the meeting to sign up for a comment slot.)

Humboldt Transit Authority Tests Hydrogen Bus
Current battery-electric buses don’t have the range for longer regional routes such as the Redwood Transit Service from Trinidad to Scotia. So HTA is looking to meet zero-emission transit mandates by investing in hydrogen-fueled buses. From an emissions perspective, this plan is complicated by the fact that hydrogen fuel is today almost entirely derived from fossil fuels and would have to be shipped hundreds of miles to Humboldt County on diesel trucks. “Green hydrogen” is derived instead from renewable electricity and water, but is not yet commercially available. CRTP recognizes the challenges of transitioning to truly zero-emission buses in a rural context and supports HTA’s efforts to work through those challenges.

Give Your Input on Redistricting in Humboldt County
Because the way political districts are drawn affects…well, everything else, including transportation. Your chances to provide input on local redistricting include a hearing next Tuesday at 11 am, and a series of community workshops happening now.

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You Know the Local Streets in Your Area
Report the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on them, so we can use the data to make things safer in the future. Local residents have reported 774 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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Transportation Bills Heading to the Governor’s Desk
With the session ending, there’s a lot of action in the state legislature. For example, in a historic move, the legislature approved AB 1238, which decriminalizes “jaywalking.” The legislature also approved AB 43, which despite a lot of watering-down in the Senate will still make it somewhat easier to lower speed limits. Both of these bills still need to be signed by the governor before going into effect.

Active Transportation and Transit Funding Held Hostage in Legislature
One issue the legislature did not resolve was its long-running squabble over high speed rail funding. And because of an earlier political compromise, that means that billions promised for transit and active transportation won’t be made available, either. We’re disappointed and frankly a little disgusted with this outcome.

Yes, Rural Areas Can Have Good Transportation Systems Too
We’re not just “drive-through country” here!

Caltrans Officially Adopts a “Safe Systems” Approach
This is an official acknowledgement, among other things, that traffic safety isn’t just about responding to deadly crashes after they happen. It’s an example of the shifting approaches from Caltrans headquarters in recent years, especially since the arrival of Director Toks Omishakin. It’s taking a while for changes to actually be felt on the streets, but we’re glad they’re happening.

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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

September 3, 2021

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Coal Companies Want to Stop the Great Redwood Trail…
…and make Humboldt an accomplice to toxic pollution and climate destruction in the process. CRTP joins with our local and regional allies in vowing to fight tooth and nail against this horrific plan. We’ll have more information for you soon. In the meantime, please sign this petition against the coal trains organized by State Senator Mike McGuire.

Sign the Petition for a Safer Broadway!
If you live, work, shop, or play in Eureka, or care about those who do, please sign this petition today. We can’t afford to wait until more people die to make Broadway a safer place for walking, biking and rolling.

A Step Forward for McKinleyville Town Center Plans
At its meeting this week, the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee gave the OK to County planning staff to move ahead with drafting an ordinance for the Town Center based on the design concept created by local architect Kash Boodjeh. The devil will be in the ordinance details, but CRTP is pleased that the concept includes dense mixed-use development with bike and pedestrian-friendly streetscapes.

A Loss for Opponents of Richardson Grove Highway Expansion Project
The latest court ruling is a disappointment for those who, like CRTP, believe Caltrans should abandon its outdated and damaging highway expansion projects and focus on safe, low-carbon transportation infrastructure.

Arcata City Council Allocates $500,000 to Decarbonization Efforts
The Redwood Coalition for Climate and Environmental Responsibility (RCCER) and others had asked for $1.65 million. Based on Councilmember comments, it seems they may have ignored climate spending altogether if they hadn’t received some public pressure. Most local greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation.

Eureka Preparing to Streamline Denser Development Downtown
At its meeting next week, the City Council will consider issuing a Request for Proposals for development of a “Waterfront Specific Plan” that would make it easier to build more housing and commercial development in the core of the city.

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You Know the Local Streets in Your Area
Report the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on them, so we can use the data to make things safer in the future. Local residents have reported 772 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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Bike Safety Stop Law Awaits Governor’s Signature!
Assuming Governor Newsom signs the bill, it will soon be legal to do what almost all people already do when riding bikes – roll slowly through a stop sign when it’s safe to do so. A bunch of other bills to improve transportation systems and allow denser housing have also passed or are moving through the legislature. Unfortunately, the one bill which attempted to reform outdated parking requirements for new development will not be approved this year.

Will the US Finally Ban Lead in Aviation Fuel?
Yup, there’s still lead in a lot of airplane fuel, especially the kind used by small planes at “general aviation” airports – of which there are a lot on the North Coast.

Advocates Lobby for Promised Transit Funding
$10 billion for public transit mysteriously disappeared from the Senate’s bipartisan infrastructure deal.

Is “Peak Car” Already in the Rearview Mirror?
According to one expert, at least, the world is slowly moving past its car obsession. (And yes, the car-related metaphor in the headline was intentional.)

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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

August 27, 2021

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Memorial Tonight for People Killed by Cars
Please attend this gathering today (Friday, August 27th) at 5:30 pm at the Humboldt County Courthouse to help us remember the victims of the ongoing local road safety crisis. And please wear a mask and observe social distancing guidelines.

Let’s Build Homes for People, Not Cars
Check out CRTP’s latest article in the EcoNews. And while you’re at it, give a listen to CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske and other local environmental leaders discussing the implications of the latest UN climate report.

Commissioners Ask for Bike Lanes with New Subdivision
At its meeting last Thursday, the Humboldt County Planning Commission discussed the need for active transportation and traffic calming improvements in conjunction with a new subdivision in McKinleyville. They ended up approving a letter to the Board of Supervisors asking for bike lanes.

HCAOG Committee to Consider Funding for New Projects
Next week, the Technical Advisory Committee for the Humboldt County Association of Governments (phew, that’s why they just call it “the TAC”) will discuss what to do with $5.4 million in expected transportation funding from the state. Better non-vehicular infrastructure, anyone?

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You Know the Local Streets in Your Area
Report the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on them, so we can use the data to make things safer in the future. Local residents have reported 769 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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CalBike Calls for a “No” Vote in Recall Election
The statewide bicycle association says that, while they have their differences with Governor Newsom, recalling him would be a big mistake. CRTP is a non-profit organization and cannot take a position on candidates in an election.

Action in Sacramento is Heating Up
The end of the legislative session is in sight. Here’s an update from StreetsBlog on just some of the transportation and land use bills that are still moving.

Calculate the Benefits of Proposed Complete Streets Features
A new, free tool allows anyone with a little time to estimate the safety, health and economic benefits of new bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

A Slap on the Wrist for Killing Someone With His Car
In a deeply upsetting case, the Attorney General of South Dakota is paying a small fine for hitting a man with his car, claiming he hit a deer, leaving the man in a ditch all night, and then “finding” him the next morning – despite investigators concluding that the victim’s head had come through the Attorney General’s windshield during the collision.

New Report on State Funding for Active Transportation
We think California dramatically under-invests in non-motorized transportation. But apparently it’s way worse in the rest of the states.

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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

August 20, 2021

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Memorial for People Killed by Cars Next Week
Please attend this gathering next Friday at 5:30 pm at the Humboldt County Courthouse to help us remember the victims of the ongoing local road safety crisis. And please wear a mask and observe social distancing guidelines.

Community Meeting on McKinleyville Active Transportation Planning
Click the link above to join the Zoom meeting at 6:00 pm next Monday, or click here for more information.

Arcata to Hold Special Meeting on COVID Relief Funding
How should the city spend its $4 million in federal relief funds? Maybe on projects that promote more walkable, equitable communities.

Draft Caltrans Active Transportation Plan Available for Public Comment
Check out what the agency plans to do about improving bike and pedestrian facilities on state highways in our region, and let them know what you think.

Sheriff’s Deputy Resigns After Apparently Lying About Car Crash
The circumstances change, but the pattern is remarkably consistent: Law enforcement agencies release initial public statements about collisions based on very limited and often biased information, leading to a slanted narrative about traffic safety.

Humboldt Is Getting More Diverse
That’s one of the main takeaways from recently released Census data. Another is the slowly increasing concentration of population in cities like Arcata – a good sign for active transportation and transit.

Blue Lake Developing Local Road Safety Plan
Help them out by reporting collisions (link above) or near-misses you’ve had in Blue Lake in recent years. And please report them on Street Story too!

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You Know the Local Streets in Your Area
Report the hazards, collisions and near-misses you’ve experienced on them, so we can use the data to make things safer in the future. Local residents have reported 769 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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Are Housing Bills Enough to Address the State’s Crisis?
Probably not, especially if they keep getting watered down with amendments. But at least they would be a start, and a step toward undoing racist exclusionary zoning laws.

What’s Going on With All Those Transportation Bills in Sacramento?
Get some highlights from the Coalition for Clean Air.

The Future of Train Travel in the US
Amtrak’s fate is largely in the hands of the hedge-fund billionaires controlling American freight railroad companies – unless Congress changes some laws.

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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

August 13, 2021

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HSU Expects to Double Enrollment, Build Lots of Housing
The university says it will start with building housing for 800 students on the Craftsman’s Mall site (the location of the erstwhile proposed student housing project The Village). We hope that they take the opportunity to build bike, pedestrian and transit-focused housing, and avoid massive parking lots.

Bay to Zoo Trail Modifications in the Works
The Eureka Planning Commission on Monday responded to CRTP’s concerns about the trail’s proposed design by directing city staff to come back with a project description that provides more safety for bicyclists on Dolbeer Street and for pedestrians crossing major roads. At that point, the Commission will likely approve the environmental documents, an action CRTP will firmly support.

Broadway, Richardson Grove Projects on State Transportation Commission Agenda
The South Broadway Complete Streets Project, which CRTP strongly supports, will be officially adopted at the meeting next week. The Richardson Grove highway-expansion project, which we do not support, will also be (re)adopted by the state for funding. Another local project set to receive funding at the meeting is a massive Highway 101 repaving project stretching from McKinleyville to Trinidad. A non-local project of interest on the agenda is the Contra Costa shared autonomous vehicle demonstration project.

Infill Development Needs Good Transportation Amenities
Stop by Arcata’s Transportation Safety Committee meeting next Tuesday to weigh in on what transportation features to prioritize in new development as part of the city’s Strategic Infill Redevelopment Plan.

County Looking for New Aviation Revenues
Wouldn’t it be nice if our local leaders prioritized funding for our lowest-carbon transportation modes as much as they do our most-polluting mode?

Eureka to Lower Boat Speed Limit
Why is it so easy to lower the speed limit for boats, and so hard to do it for cars?

Committee to Consider Old Arcata Road Project Impacts on Historic Resources
Arcata’s Historic Landmarks Committee will discuss the project on Thursday.

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We Know You’re Walking, Biking and Rolling on the Streets
Report the hazards, collisions and near-misses you experience! Local residents have reported 768 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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New Report Heightens Urgency of Climate Action
The time for climate rhetoric is over. The time for real action is now. That means, among other things, that we must bring an end to the era of the automobile.

High-Speed Rail Debate Holds Up Active Transportation Dollars
Get the scoop on transportation negotiations in Sacramento from CalBike.

Senate Introduces E-Bike Incentive Bill
There are now e-bike bills in both houses of Congress!

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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

August 6, 2021

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Humboldt Planning Commission Approves Permits for Bay Trail South
The project faces a few additional hurdles, include a permit from the Coastal Commission, but is getting closer and closer to construction. When it’s done, bike and pedestrian travel between Arcata and Eureka will be much safer, more comfortable and more convenient.

Eureka Planning Commission to Vote on Bay-to-Zoo Trail Environmental Documents
The Commission held a study session on the project yesterday, at which they heard opposition to the trail from a number of people, whose main concern seems to be that houseless people would use it to enter their neighborhood. CRTP supports the trail (and the right of all people to use it), with some modifications for greater safety and effective design, and they also heard from us and our supporters. If you can, please come out to Monday’s (masked, in-person) hearing to show your support again.

Arcata Planning Commission to Discuss Infill Plan
The ongoing process of developing a plan for denser, infill development – a concept CRTP supports – will continue at the meeting on Tuesday evening.

Eureka Street Art Festival All Next Week
Beautification of the pedestrian realm is an important measure to encourage more walking, and who doesn’t love public art?

Arcata Mayor Arrested for DUI
Driving is dangerous – especially to people walking, biking and rolling nearby – and driving while intoxicated is much more dangerous. It’s disturbing when our leaders, who help decide the future of our local transportation system, act this way.

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We Know You’re Walking, Biking and Rolling on the Streets
Report the hazards, collisions and near-misses you experience! Local residents have reported 768 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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Wildfires Close Highways 36 & 299
Climate change-fueled fires will have a greater and greater impact on our regional transportation system in the years to come.

Petition to Support Change in Speed Limit Law
There’s still a chance this legislative session to change California’s dangerous and irrational method of setting speed limits.

Biden’s New Car Emissions Plan Doesn’t Go Nearly Far Enough
Mainstream news coverage made the plan sound ambitious, but it’s mostly voluntary and less stringent than the decade-old Obama plan that carmakers trashed as soon as Trump was in office.

Bike Skills Taught in Pandemic-Adapted Schools
What a great idea!

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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

July 30, 2021

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McKinleyville Active Transportation Study Gets Underway
Fill out the survey here (en español aquí), and mark your calendars for walking tours on August 16th and an online community meeting on August 23rd.

Local Housing is Unaffordable
The future of the local housing market is also uncertain, not least because of Humboldt State University’s plan to attract thousands more students with its polytechnic designation. As readers of The Collector know, the availability, affordability, location and design of housing are some of the most significant factors in determining people’s transportation behaviors. And when the location of housing is far from jobs and services, transportation costs can be very high, too.

R.I.P. Charlie Bean
We mourn the loss of this committed advocate for accessibility in all areas, including transportation.

Eureka Planning Commission to Hold Bay-to-Zoo Trail Study Session
Head on down to City Hall on Thursday (yes, it’s in person) to find out more about the trail plans, voice your support, and weigh in on the issues.

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Keep Reporting Those Hazards, Crashes and Near Misses
Higher numbers of reports mean these data get taken more seriously by decision-makers. Local residents have reported 768 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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Meredith Matthews Is New Arcata City Councilmember
She was appointed at the candidate forum on Wednesday, and you can bet there was some transportation talk at that event.

Delta Variant Can’t Stop Annual Celebration of Cars
Every year we wonder how such dangerous, polluting machines are the source of such devotion and merriment.

Law Enforcement Doesn’t Stop Fatal Crashes
More traffic enforcement is often proposed as a solution for dangerous streets. It turns out that doesn’t really work.

Bipartian Infrastructure Deal Doubles Down on Cars
Oh, there’s transit funding in there – but there’s a LOT more for cars.

Another Prominent Person Killed While Riding a Bike
While celebrities may be less likely to be victim-blamed, they’re still subjected to the usual car-culture biases of media coverage.

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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

July 23, 2021

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Arcata Considers New Parking Meter System
This week, the City Council heard a presentation about a new mobile-pay parking meter system that could be retrofitted onto existing meters. Apparently, the system could allow for dynamic pricing – rates that vary over time according to demand, reducing the subsidy for driving and leaving enough free spaces to prevent “cruising for parking.”

New McKinleyville Town Center Plans Released
The Humboldt County Planning Department and its consultant, local architect Kash Boodjeh, have released new conceptual land use plans and street designs for Hiller and Central Avenues. The new draft plans call for a denser, mixed-use core, surrounded by slightly less dense mixed-use and multi-family residential areas. Street designs would add traffic calming features and substantial bike and pedestrian infrastructure. CRTP has worked hard for the past few years to encourage this kind of Town Center, and we’re pleased with the progress that’s been made. The plans will be discussed at next Wednesday’s meeting of the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee.

Hear from Arcata City Council Candidates
Next Wednesday at 6 pm, the seven candidates for the newly vacant Arcata City Council seat will participate in a public forum. Questions can be submitted ahead of time. Several of the candidates mention transportation issues in their statements.

A Memorial for People Killed by Cars
Mark your calendars for Friday, August 27th. This will be a gathering for friends and families to remember those who have been killed by cars while walking, biking or rolling in Humboldt County, and for community members to acknowledge and honor the losses.

Huffman Champions Hammond Trail Bridge Replacement Funding
It’s one of his proposed earmarks for the next fiscal year. This critical bike-pedestrian linkage has needed replacement for years.

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Keep Reporting Those Hazards, Crashes and Near Misses
Higher numbers of reports mean these data get taken more seriously by decision-makers. Local residents have reported 768 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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Want to Have a Say On California’s Vehicle Emissions Rules?
The Air Resources Board has scheduled a scoping workshop on August 11th for the development of new regulations.

What’s Going On With the Federal Infrastructure Bill?
Get the inside scoop from America Walks.

US Department of Transportation Focuses on Freight Issues
We always get a little suspicious when the word “congestion” gets bandied about.

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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.