State Issues Great Redwood Trail Report

Posted on November 20, 2020 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

November 20, 2020

Editor’s Note: We’ll be off next week for Thanksgiving. Enjoy the holiday safely!

County Issues Travel Advisory
Long-distance travel is considered high risk for spreading COVID-19, and local authorities are discouraging it.

State Produces Great Redwood Trail Report
A long-awaited report has been published on the financial and technical challenges facing the transition of the current North Coast Railroad Authority’s right-of-way to a long-distance trail system. The short version: it will be very expensive, but the NCRA will have to reckon with most of those costs no matter what happens – so we might as well get a world-class trail out of it! Now that the report is out, State Senator Mike McGuire will likely be introducing legislation to take the next steps toward eventual trail construction.

Broadway Report Delayed
The Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) Board was scheduled to hear a report on the Broadway Multimodal Corridor Plan this week. But the Plan was reportedly not ready in time, and the item has been postponed. They did, however, hold an Unmet Transit Needs hearing and receive a report on future efforts to build more housing in the county.

King Tides, Storms Flood Roads
A preview of coming sea level rise.

McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee Talks Wetlands
The committee heard from a panel of experts and discussed proposed changes to wetland policy for the Town Center area. No final decisions were made, but committee members seemed more reticent to approve additional wetlands impacts than they had in the past. Whatever happens, CRTP is working to ensure that the Town Center becomes a walkable, bikeable hub for the county’s third-largest community.

“Project Eureka” Launches to Beautify Downtown Streets
Could beautification help improve safety along the Highway 101 corridor?

Reminder: Make Your Street Story Reports
708 reports (and counting) have been made in Humboldt County so far. If you see or experience a hazard, near-miss or collision on the street, make your Street Story report here. CRTP uses reports to advocate for change, and local agencies use them to apply for grants and prioritize improvements. Your reports are important!

Technical Glitches Cancel Arcata Transportation Committee Meeting
The meeting has been postponed to December – including CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske’s presentation on our “Elephants in the Road” report.

The Role of Cars in This Crazy Year
Here’s a good round-up of cars, politics and the pandemic in 2020. Cars continue to take center stage with the politicization of vehicular attacks on protesters, among other issues.

US Bike, Pedestrian Fatalities Continue to Rise
But they’re dropping fast in most of Europe and the rest of the developed world. Maybe we could learn some lessons from our friends overseas.

In the Wake of Prop 22, Whither Ride Hailing?
Many problems with companies like Uber and Lyft remain – or have gotten much worse.

New Tool Maps Greenhouse Gases from Transportation
The tool, from the California Air Resources Board, is in beta testing.

The Lithium Question
The transition to electric vehicles means that the demand for lithium batteries is expected to surge. What does that mean for Bolivia, which has the world’s biggest lithium resource?

“Oil Capital of Canada” Eliminates Parking Minimums
If Edmonton can do it, any city can.

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.

McKinleyville Wetlands & Eureka Parking Lots

Posted on November 13, 2020 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

November 13, 2020

McKinleyville Town Center Meeting Scheduled for Next Week
Long-awaited conceptual renderings of potential town center designs are not yet ready, so the discussion will focus on the proposed wetlands policy. CRTP is here to remind you that a large portion of the future town center is already developed, and can be re-developed over the long term with no impact to wetlands.

Public Meeting Next Week on Eureka Housing Proposal
CRTP strongly supports the effort to build affordable housing on city-owned parking lots. We’re working to ensure that this project also comes with significant pedestrian, bike and transit improvements.

Arcata Committee to Hear Presentation on CRTP Report
Tuesday’s agenda for the Transportation Safety Committee also includes an update on the search for a new bikeshare program and consideration of requests for new stop signs and parking changes.

High-Speed Police Chase in Eureka Ends in Serious Injuries
As we have pointed out before, high-speed chases regularly kill and injure bystanders. Many cities have policies against them for that reason.

HSU Foundation Buys “The Village” Site
With the formerly proposed student housing project no longer on the table, one of the proposed future uses for the site is…more parking! Just what an “eco-friendly” school currently hemorrhaging students and revenue dollars needs.

Potential Water Service to Trinidad Area to Be Explored
As Supervisor Steve Madrone noted, extension of municipal water service often induces additional development – which means more driving.

Humboldt Residents are Moving Around Almost As Much as Before the Pandemic
But our destinations have changed.

Reminder: Make Your Street Story Reports
700 reports (and counting) have been made in Humboldt County so far. If you see or experience a hazard, near-miss or collision on the street, make your Street Story report here. CRTP uses reports to advocate for change, and local agencies use them to apply for grants and prioritize improvements. Your reports are important!

King Tides This Weekend Will Preview Sea Level Rise
Some low-lying coastal roads are likely to flood.

Give Your Input on Caltrans Active Transportation Planning
Take the survey, and keep using Street Story – they’ll be looking at those data, too!

Prop 22 Passes; Local Cab Companies Brace for the Impact
Uber, Lyft and Doordash spent over $200 million to pass the measure exempting their drivers from state employment laws. One under-reported consequence: With each driver acting as an independent contractor, it will be much harder to impose regulations that transition the companies’ fleets to zero-emission vehicles. Another: the creation of a massive government subsidy for an essentially unsustainable form of transportation.

Bad News for Statewide Land Use and Housing Measures
Prop 15, which would have created a significant new revenue source for local transportation (and other services and capital improvements), failed. So did Prop 21, which would have allowed local governments to implement rent control measures.

A Weekly News Roundup That’s (Mostly) Not About the Election

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

November 6, 2020

Editor’s Note: We know everyone is anxiously watching election results roll in. But just like vote counting in swing states, transportation issues never stop! So here’s your weekly report.

CRTP and Allies Call for More Near-Term Safety Improvements on Broadway
Caltrans and the City of Eureka have committed to making some near-term improvements. We’re working to make sure they include all of the feasible changes that would protect people walking and biking on the street.

Trump Parade Driver Threatens Pedestrian
The driver of a large pickup truck with an American flag and Trump sign veered intentionally toward – and nearly hit – a counter-protester on foot in McKinleyville.

Got Any Unmet Transit Needs?
The annual Unmet Transit Needs process in Humboldt County is happening now, with a series of hearings and an online comment form. The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors held its hearing this week. If you have unmet needs, or have ideas about how to get transit back to health after ridership drops during the pandemic, now’s the time to speak up!

Tell Us How to Improve Transit in McKinleyville
CRTP and partners are still taking input on the McKinleyville Transit Study. If you live or work in McKinleyville, let us know your ideas for making public transportation there more convenient, effective, and easy to use.

Local Transportation and Housing-Related Ballot Measures Likely to Pass
OK, here’s one thing about the election. Measure B in Arcata and Measure I in unincorporated Humboldt County would increase the percentage of allowed low-income and supportive housing. Measure E in Trinidad, Measure G in Fortuna, and Measure H in Eureka would all increase or retain sales taxes, some of whose revenue will go toward streets and roads. All of the measures were leading by wide margins in election-night vote tallies.

Carmakers Knew Decades Ago They Were Killing the Climate
They ignored and covered up that knowledge, and even today they’re doubling down on big climate-destroying SUVs and pickup trucks.

What If Women Designed Cities?
Land use and transportation planning and engineering have long been dominated by men. Some are now pointing out that the needs and desires of half the population have often been ignored.

State Agencies Talk Equity, Climate Action
At their semi-annual joint meeting, the California Air Resources Board, Transportation Commission and Department of Housing and Community Development discussed how to incorporate equity into their work. They also received an update on a forthcoming statewide Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure – so keep your eyes open for that!

The Crisis on Broadway and Pedestrian Victim-Blaming

Posted on October 30, 2020 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

October 30, 2020

City Council Calls for Urgent Safety Upgrades on Broadway
The Eureka City Council heard updates on the long-term Broadway Corridor Plan on Thursday. Between last week’s meeting, when the item was initially on the agenda, and this week’s meeting when it was actually discussed, another person riding a bike was killed on Broadway. Councilmembers seemed to grasp the urgency of the bike/pedestrian safety crisis that CRTP has been highlighting throughout the planning process, and most of the discussion was focused on short-term interventions rather than the long-term plan. Caltrans is scheduled to report back to the Council within the next month on what kinds of safety upgrades could be funded and built in the immediate future.

Pedestrian Victim Blaming Reaches New Heights of Absurdity
A person crossing 4th Street in Eureka in a marked crosswalk is nevertheless being blamed for the hit-and-run collision which put them in a hospital in serious condition. The Eureka Police Department claims that the victim “appeared to suddenly run out in front of the car that ultimately struck him.” Let’s be absolutely clear: If drivers are following the law, there is no way for them to hit a pedestrian in the middle of a marked crosswalk and not be at fault. And more important than any legal standard are (1) the ethical requirement of due caution when operating a potentially deadly machine like a car or truck, and (2) the pattern of serious collisions on these roads that indicate that street design, not aberrant behavior, is the real problem.

“Rolling Justice” Rally Planned to Protect Election Results
Bikes, cars and vehicles of all kinds will be used in the post-Election Day rally.

HCAOG Director Named 2020 Responsible Transportation Champion
Marcella May received CRTP’s annual award for “her leadership in the development of safe and appealing alternatives to driving, from trails to sidewalks to improved bus service” in Humboldt County.

Caltrans Appeals Richardson Grove Ruling…Again
Apparently the agency has not yet given up on its decades-long quest to widen and straighten Highway 101 through the state park to allow extra-big trucks to drive through.

McKinleyville Committee Talks Transit Improvements, Town Center
The Municipal Advisory Committee heard about and gave input on the ongoing McKinleyville Transit Study, and later heard an ambitious schedule for moving ahead with Town Center planning. Long-awaited architectural renderings of potential Town Center designs are now slated for public release next week.

Supes Discuss Speed Limits on Private Roads
Private road improvements associations in Humboldt can join California’s broken system for setting and enforcing speed limits!

Reminder: Make Your Street Story Reports
697 reports (and counting) have been made in Humboldt County so far. If you see or experience a hazard, near-miss or collision on the street, make your Street Story report here. CRTP uses reports to advocate for change, and local agencies use them to apply for grants and prioritize improvements. Your reports are important!

Depressed? Maybe You Should Blame Cars
A new studies shows shockingly high increases in depression and other mental health problems correlated with emissions from cars and trucks.

Agencies to Meet Jointly Next Week on Climate, Transportation and Housing
Can they align their programs, policies and plans to achieve the state’s goals?

“Jaywalking” Is a Concept Invented for Victim-Blaming Pedestrians
It’s time to decriminalize it.

State Treasurer Touts EV Infrastructure
Since the governor’s executive order for all new vehicles to be zero-emission by 2035, a lot of folks are getting pretty excited.

A Green New Deal in Humboldt?

Posted on October 23, 2020 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

October 23, 2020

A Green New Deal in Humboldt?
CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske joins Tom Wheeler of EPIC and Katy Gurin of 350 Humboldt to talk about what that might look like.

Housing Over Parking Advances, Broadway Discussion Delayed
At its meeting on Tuesday, the Eureka City Council unanimously approved moving forward with a proposal to build 104 affordable housing units on three city-owned parking lots, a move strongly supported by CRTP. They also approved an expedited permitting ordinance for electric vehicle charging stations. However, a discussion of Broadway corridor planning was delayed to a special meeting next Thursday. We’ll be there advocating for immediate safety improvements for people walking, biking and rolling.

Another Vehicular Attack on Protesters, Another Reckless Driving Charge
Despite the charges, District Attorney Maggie Fleming’s statement was mostly focused on blaming the victims. Fleming says that the reckless driving happened before a person on foot approached the vehicle and “banged on” and “leapt on” it, and that the driver can’t be held responsible for the collisions and injuries that happened afterwards. In essence, she concluded that the protester trying to stop a reckless driver in a crowd of people is to blame for the fact that the driver reacted by accelerating and hitting people. After all, who could blame a person encased in tons of plastic and steel for accelerating into flesh-and-bone human beings because they felt nervous? This topsy-turvy logic puts auto-normativity and anti-protest sentiments on full display.

Another Vehicle Hits a Pedestrian on 101 in Eureka
Thankfully, initial reports indicated that the victim was still alive, although seriously injured.

Del Norte Transportation Plan Inching Forward
At a relatively uneventful public meeting this week, consultants for the Del Norte Local Transportation Commission provided background information about the Regional Transportation Plan and asked for input, but did not have a draft Plan ready to share. They expect a draft to be ready for public review in December. Meanwhile, community members can submit their input via this survey.

Humboldt Trails Council Wants to Hear Your Trail Stories
The local organization is participating in a national effort to collect “trail moments.” Look out for signs at popular trailheads around the region.

EV Chargers to Get Battery Backup
One of the two sets of chargers at the Bayshore Mall is lining up permits to add a “Battery Energy Storage System” – presumably to improve reliability and reduce electricity costs.

The Allure of the North Coast
Will our region draw droves of climate refugees and city-fleeing rich people over the coming months and years? What will this mean for patterns of local land use and transportation?

EV Charging Stations Aren’t Equitably Distributed
A newly published study conducted by researchers at Humboldt State University finds geographic disparities in charging infrastructure across the state that are correlated with race and income.

SUVs Just Keep Getting Bigger
Who exactly benefits from this crazy trend, aside from car manufacturers?

Eureka City Council to Tackle Broadway, Parking Lots, Housing and More

Posted on October 16, 2020 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

October 16, 2020

Del Norte Transportation Planning Gears Up
The county’s Regional Transportation Plan determines what projects are eligible for most state and federal funding, and it only gets updated once every 5 years. On Thursday, the Local Transportation Commission’s Technical Advisory Committee got a sneak peak at the new draft. Next Tuesday, there will be a meeting to gather public input. If you live or work in Del Norte, show up and have your say – and take the survey too!

Eureka City Council to Tackle Broadway, Parking Lots, Housing and More
Next Tuesday’s meeting will be packed with important items, including:

Providing direction to staff on how to proceed with Broadway Corridor planning (CRTP and allies have been advocating for immediate safety improvements, but other options are still on the table)
Authorizing staff to negotiate an agreement with a Southern California nonprofit housing developer to build 104 units of affordable housing on underused city parking lots (we’re strongly in support!)
Approving an expedited permitting ordinance for electric vehicle charging stations (3 years past the state deadline, but better late than never!)

Don’t Forget to Weigh in on McKinleyville Transit
There’s a study under way examining how to improve public transportation in McKinleyville. CRTP is coordinating outreach, and we want to hear from you!

State Funding for Eureka Roads, 101 Bridges
The California Transportation Commission meets next week, and as always there are North Coast projects on the agenda. Items of interest include allocation of funding to repave and update sidewalks on Highland, Koster, Hawthorne, Felt and 14th Street in Eureka, as well as a Highway 101 bridge seismic upgrade at the border of Humboldt and Mendocino Counties that will include re-striping to widen the shoulders for bicycles.

Tri-County Independent Living Provides PSPS Transportation Support
Among other critical support services for people living with disabilities.

Reminder: Make Your Street Story Reports
686 reports (and counting) have been made in Humboldt County so far. If you see or experience a hazard, near-miss or collision on the street, make your Street Story report here. CRTP uses reports to advocate for change, and local agencies use them to apply for grants and prioritize improvements. Your reports are important!

Speeders Set the Speed Limit
A new video explains in 6 minutes the absolute absurdity of the way most states – including California – set speed limits.

Driving While Black
A new documentary on PBS explores the history of race and mobility in America.

CalBike Releases Quick-Build Guide
Because safety – and the climate – can’t wait.

Smart Growth America: We Need to Drive Less
A new report explains exactly why electric vehicles, while necessary, are not enough.

How Much Money for Eureka’s Roads?

Posted on October 9, 2020 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

October 9, 2020

McKinleyville Transit Study Begins
CRTP is coordinating public outreach for the study, which is being conducted by national experts in rural and small town transit systems. Expect draft recommendations in the spring – but don’t wait until then to weigh in about how to improve transit in McKinleyville. Give us your comments and ideas now!

Community Services District Candidates Answer Questions…or Not
Candidates for the Humboldt and McKinleyville Community Services District Boards were sent questions to answer by a coalition of 17 local organizations, including CRTP. We asked them how they’d support walkable, bikeable, and transit-oriented communities through their decisions about water & sewer infrastructure, street lighting, and parks. Unfortunately, most of them didn’t respond.

Bay Trail Takes Another Step Toward Completion
The Humboldt County Supervisors voted to buy a couple of parcels needed for construction of the final segment.

How Much Money Will Measure H Generate for Eureka’s Roads?
Proponents and opponents argue. We wonder: How much money will be spent on the many urgent needs for improving safety and connectivity for people walking, biking and rolling in the city?

A Rare Opportunity to Weigh in on Public Transit in Del Norte
The Social Services Transportation Advisory Council doesn’t meet very often. Next week’s agenda includes identifying unmet transit needs and considering a five-year update of the Coordinated Plan for Transit Services.

Yes, We Can Have Electric Vehicles on the North Coast
Question answered. Meanwhile, the Arcata City Council approved new chargers for the Arcata Community Center this week.

Neighbors to City & County: Make F Street Safer!
Residents continue their persistent campaign.

Our Cars, Our Politics?
The shirts said “Trump Train,” but there were no rails in sight. Instead, it appeared to be mostly people in SUVs and pickup trucks.

Water District Discusses Extending Service to Trinidad Area
Extensions of water and sewer services into low-density areas often induce more sprawl.

Vehicles Continue to Be Weaponized Against Protesters
National context for some of the local incident in Humboldt County.

Air Resources Board, Transportation Commission and Housing Department Plan Joint Meeting
The agencies are now required to have semi-annual meetings together to plan how to reduce transportation emissions, among other topics. Previous meetings have revealed stark contrasts in how the agencies view the problem.

CalBike Announces 2021 Agenda
It includes establishing rebates for e-bike purchases. Here at CRTP, we think e-bikes could be one of the keys to getting folks in our rural and hilly landscapes out of their cars.

Are Eureka Police Taking Pedestrian Safety Seriously?

Posted on October 2, 2020 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

October 2, 2020

Are Eureka Police Taking Pedestrian Safety Seriously?
After initially downplaying the incident and blaming the victim, the Eureka Police Department is now asking parties involved in the recent vehicular ramming of a racial justice protester to come forward to make statements. Perhaps the change of tone is related to a new video of the event surfacing. Regardless, this is just the latest in a series of vehicle rammings of racial justice protesters in Eureka, a phenomenon which has to be viewed in the context of a city which consistently ranks among the worst in the state for pedestrian safety even when people are not protesting in the street.

Another Pedestrian Struck on Broadway
Early reports suggest that the crash may have been fatal. For many months, CRTP has been advocating strenuously through the ongoing Broadway Corridor Planning process for immediate safety improvements to prevent more tragedies like this one.

Ocean Drive Walkability/Bikeability Project Underway
Humboldt County and the Redwood Community Action Agency are looking for ways to make McKinleyville’s Ocean Drive more walkable and bikeable. As we previously reported, one of the options under consideration is advisory bike lanes/edge lanes. A survey is now live to collect community input, and a (virtual) community meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 14th.

Shelter Cove Road Reopens After Three Years
Humboldt County consistently struggles to maintain and repair its extensive network of rural roads. The county’s long-term ability to maintain this network in the face of the accelerating climate crisis – which will bring more wildfires, sea level rise and extreme weather – is a question of increasing urgency.

Final Candidate Forum Called Off
The third in a series of local candidates forums co-sponsored by CRTP, this one for Humboldt and McKinleyville Community Services District Board candidates – and previously scheduled for today (Friday, 10/2) – has been canceled. Unfortunately, we couldn’t confirm attendance of enough candidates for a reasonable forum. However, the sponsoring organizations have sent the candidates written questions instead and will be publishing their responses.

Del Norte Begins Regional Transportation Plan Update
A (virtual) community meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 20th.

Reminder: Make Your Street Story Reports
684 reports (and counting) have been made in Humboldt County so far. If you see or experience a hazard, near-miss or collision on the street, make your Street Story report here. CRTP uses reports to advocate for change, and local agencies use them to apply for grants and prioritize improvements. Your reports are important!

Missed Our Big Report Last Month?
Read up on it in the EcoNews here.

It’s National Pedestrian Safety Month
And predictably the federal Department of Transportation is using the opportunity to victim-blame. Advocates are fed up.

Newsom Signs Some Bills
Among the bills that will now be law is one that will exempt certain sustainable transportation projects from environmental review. Also a nifty little bill to allow churches and other houses of worship to build housing on their parking lots without having to replace the parking. The governor vetoed bills, however, that would have established more ambitious goals and policies for addressing the homelessness crisis.

Proposition 15 Could Increase Local Money for Transit, Walking and Biking
So says Streetsblog, which is endorsing the measure.

New York Makes Open Streets, Outdoor Dining Permanent
Although these were supposed to be emergency measures during the pandemic, it turns out that people just really like using streets for activities other than driving.

Another Vehicular Attack Results in Injury at Protest

Posted on September 25, 2020 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

September 25, 2020

Arcata City Council Candidate Forum Tonight
CRTP and sixteen other local groups are hosting three forums for candidates for local office. The second forum, for Arcata City Council candidates, will be held tonight (Friday, 9/25) at 6 pm. You can watch live via Access Humboldt, including on their YouTube channel. Last Friday’s Eureka City Council candidates forum is available for viewing here. Next Friday at the same time will be the forum for McKinleyville and Humboldt Community Services Districts candidates (Friday, 10/2).

Person Injured in Vehicular Attack at Protest
There were several documented vehicular attacks on people on foot during protests for racial justice in Eureka and McKinleyville earlier this summer. Luckily, no one was seriously injured. But the drivers have faced little or no consequences for their actions – the only legal consequence to date has been charges of reckless driving, a misdemeanor, against one driver – and now another attack has resulted in what appears to be a significant (although thankfully not life-threatening) injury of a Eureka protester. Read CRTP’s statement on these attacks here.

Slow the Fstreet Down!
Residents along south F Street in Eureka continue their campaign for traffic calming.

Highway 36 Threatened by Fire
Check out our recent report which calls for, among many other things, realistic and comprehensive planning for the impacts of increasingly frequent and severe wildfires on the local transportation system. And be safe out there.

Reminder: Make Your Street Story Reports
683 reports (and counting) have been made in Humboldt County so far. If you see or experience a hazard, near-miss or collision on the street, make your Street Story report here. CRTP uses reports to advocate for change, and local agencies use them to apply for grants and prioritize improvements. Your reports are important!

Why Are More Pedestrians Dying?
And why are certain groups disproportionately impacted? These questions are tackled in this article, based on a new book. You can also hear from the book’s author in this recorded webinar.

Rate of Traffic Deaths Is Really High in 2020
The most likely cause: speeding.

CalBike Statement on New Clean Transportation Executive Order
Governor Newsom’s order focuses a lot on electric cars and gives other modes of transportation short shrift.

Lyft Proposes Street Transformations for Bikes, Pedestrians and Transit
Hey, isn’t this a company with a car-based business model? What’s going on here?

American Heart Association Says to Redesign Communities for Active Transportation
It’s not just good for the climate, it’s also good for your health!

Eureka City Council Candidate Forum Tonight

Posted on September 18, 2020 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

September 18, 2020

Eureka City Council Candidate Forum Tonight
CRTP and sixteen other local groups are hosting three forums in the coming weeks for candidates for local office. The first one, which is for Eureka City Council candidates, is tonight (Friday, 9/18) at 6 pm. You can watch live via Access Humboldt, including on their YouTube channel. Next Friday at the same time will be the forum for Arcata City Council candidates, and the week after that will be the forum for McKinleyville and Humboldt Community Services Districts candidates (Friday, 10/2).

Humboldt Residents Still Traveling Less
Data released by the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics show that local residents are taking far fewer trips than they did before the pandemic, especially fewer long-distance trips. And while the Times-Standard emphasizes that medium-distance trips are up, perhaps more interesting is the fact that the large majority of trips are under 3 miles and thus are or could be taken by foot or by bike (the data don’t identify transportation mode).

“Kidical Mass” Rides Start in McKinleyville
A new tradition is starting in McKinleyville: “critical mass”-style bike rides focused on kids and families! Two rides have already happened, with lots of kids and their adults helping to reclaim the road. Join the rides every Thursday starting from Roger’s Market at 3:30 pm.

Driving Fires
As California burns and some locals are forced to evacuate their homes, it’s worth remembering that transportation – mainly personal driving – is responsible for most of the local greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to the changing climate helping to fuel these fires. Ironically, and sadly, we continue to allow new homes to be built in remote fire-prone areas, which results both in more driving and more fire danger.

Fires Driving Us
Fires close roads and prevent people from accessing large areas without special permission. CRTP’s recent report argues that as these events become more common, local governments must develop comprehensive and realistic plans for dealing with the impacts of fire on transportation systems.

Billboard Debates Continue
The Board of Supervisors this week allowed a fallen billboard to be rebuilt…temporarily. Billboards are intended to attract the attention of drivers on the highway. So a central but often unspoken question in the decades-long billboard debates is what role private interests should be able to play in influencing the behavior of people traveling in the public right-of-way.

HCAOG Board Adopts Mobility-on-Demand Plan
At its meeting yesterday, the Humboldt County Association of Governments Board of Directors adopted a final plan to address local mobility-on-demand. The final document calls for pilot projects including replacing some low-ridership Redwood Transit Service bus detours with on-demand service and expanding local bike-share programs. You can read our previous comments on the plan here. At the same meeting, the Board added Eureka Mayor Susan Seaman to an ad hoc committee charged with considering specific climate-related targets for the upcoming Regional Transportation Plan update.

Transportation Commission to Consider “Quick Build” Projects
The California Transportation Commission will for the first time be awarding funding for several “quick build” active transportation projects around the state. Quick build projects use low-cost materials and construction techniques to rapidly transform infrastructure. They are rising in popularity as a response to the long timelines for planning and building most traditional projects, which can leave unsafe conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists in place for years after they are identified.

Fighting the “Diesel Death Zone”
Low-income communities around the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have long suffered from terrible air quality resulting from high levels of truck traffic. Poor health and premature deaths are the well-documented results. Local residents and advocates have filed a new lawsuit against the City of Los Angeles demanding changes.

Bike Shops Face Pandemic Challenges
A CalBike webinar highlights problems and solutions.

An Ikea Store with No Parking?
In a dramatic break with its history of car-oriented, big box stores, the furniture company plans a new store in Vienna with no on-site parking. The store will cater to customers arriving by public transit, and will deliver large items instead of expecting customers to take them home by car.