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.

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!

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?

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.

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.

Eureka Parklets & Outdoor Dining on the Agenda

Posted on September 11, 2020 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

September 11, 2020

CRTP Joins Allies to Host Local Candidates Forums
CRTP and sixteen other local groups are hosting three candidate forums in the coming weeks – one for Eureka City Council candidates (Friday, 9/18), one for Arcata City Council candidates (Friday, 9/25), and one for McKinleyville and Humboldt Community Services Districts candidates (Friday, 10/2). Tune in to see how candidates answer questions about transportation as well as many other important social and environmental topics.

Eureka City Council to Vote on Parklet & Outdoor Dining Grant Program
Next Tuesday, the Council will consider whether to approve providing grants to local businesses (from federal CARES Act funding) to expand sidewalk and parking lot operations, establish temporary parklets, and possibly close a street or two for outdoor food courts. This is the kind of thing we’ve advocated for since the pandemic started – as long as they leave plenty of room on the sidewalks for pedestrians! Also on Tuesday’s agenda is a report on a new neighborhood mini-grant program, which could be used for items including “median improvements” and “sidewalk planter boxes.”

Caltrans Changes Highway 36 Plans to Avoid Old-Growth Redwood
It’s a markedly different reaction than the agency had many years ago when environmentalists objected to impacts on redwoods from the Richardson Grove highway expansion project.

Learn About CRTP’s New White Paper on the EcoNews Report
You can also read the whole thing here.

New Bay Trail Documents Released
Humboldt County has released new engineering plans and a more detailed report on the final segment of the Humboldt Bay Trail. This is a major milestone in progress toward completion of the trail, which is still expected to be finished late next year.

HCAOG Board to Consider Mobility-on-Demand, Climate
Next Thursday, the Humboldt County Association of Governments will likely adopt a final mobility-on-demand report, which lays out ideas for implementing new responsive transportation systems in Humboldt. See some of our previous coverage in this edition of The Collector. The Board will also consider appointing new members to its new ad hoc committee tasked with incorporating specific climate-related targets into next year’s Regional Transportation Plan update. Both items are on the consent agenda.

New Major Employer Coming
Nordic Aquafarms is promising to hire 150 people for its planned operation on the Samoa Peninsula. This is an area that’s not served by transit and lacks good bicycle and pedestrian connectivity to major population centers. The company has made a big deal of the purported sustainability of its operations. But will they consider how all those employees are going to get to work?

Reminder: Make Your Street Story Reports
675 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!

County Compiles Rules on Speeding, Parking and More
Check out the new online list of resources and give them feedback!

State Issues Annual Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Report
The attention is mostly on electric vehicles these days, but some new hydrogen fueling stations continue to be built in parts of the state.

Northeastern States Will Give Updates on Reducing Transportation Emissions
A coalition of northeastern states which joined together to tackle greenhouse gas emissions from transportation is holding two webinars this month to give updates on their progress.

Is “Bicycle Road Rage” Really a Thing?

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

September 4, 2020

HCAOG Seeks New Executive Director
Retiring Executive Director Marcella May has been a strong supporter of active transportation safety and mode shift efforts, and it will be hard to replace her. If you know of someone who would be a good fit – whether they live here already or not – encourage them to apply!

A Chance to Improve County Transportation Guidelines
At the last minute, Humboldt County planning staff delayed the scheduled hearing Thursday of a deeply flawed proposal for assessing transportation impacts (specifically vehicle miles traveled, or VMT) during the environmental review of future projects. The County is now scheduling a meeting with stakeholders to discuss ways to improve the proposal. That means our comments are working!

Is “Bicycle Road Rage” Really a Thing?
An assault this week by someone who had been riding a bike on another person who had been riding a bike was labeled “bicycle road rage” by the Arcata Police Department and local media. While this was a serious incident that shouldn’t be taken lightly, we would argue that “road rage” is not the right description of it. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “road rage” is an extreme form of aggressive driving, dangerous because the enraged person is behind the wheel of a vehicle that can serve as a deadly weapon. Using the term to refer to criminal acts committed in proximity to other forms of transportation is misleading and serves to downplay and normalize the extreme dangers of rage and aggression expressed by a person behind the wheel.

Unsafe Conditions Mitigated in Safety Corridor
We reported last week that construction had resulted in dramatically reduced shoulders and unsafe conditions for bicyclists on parts of Highway 101 between Arcata and Eureka. After objections from CRTP and allies, Caltrans has committed to both temporary safety improvements during construction, as well as to permanently maintaining at least 6 foot shoulders through the area.

Supes Approve Secondary Housing Unit Ordinance
Across the state, secondary housing units (a.k.a. “mother-in-law” or “granny flats”) are considered to have great potential for increasing housing stock without sprawl. As Supervisor Mike Wilson pointed out, however, there are some concerns in Humboldt County that they could actually encourage sprawl because they’re now allowed “by right” in rural resource lands.

Did You Miss the Broadway Corridor Workshop?
Now you can watch it online! And don’t forget to read CRTP’s take on the situation here.

Got Social Media Skills? CRTP Needs You!
CRTP is looking for someone with great social media skills and a passion for responsible transportation to serve as our volunteer Social Media Coordinator. If you’re a savvy user of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other platforms, this could be you! For more information or to apply, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.

Arcata Moves to Let Businesses Use Outdoor City Spaces
The city-owned parking lot which was transitioned to temporary shelter for houseless folks at the beginning of the pandemic has now reverted back to parking. Maybe lots like this could be put to more productive use again.

Humboldt Transit Authority Struggles During Pandemic
Ridership has continued at levels roughly 75% below normal. Federal aid is expected to keep the agency (relatively) fiscally healthy for the time being, but it won’t last forever.

Does Smelliness Make “Cannabis Sprawl” Inevitable?
A program intended to encourage cannabis operations to come down out of the hills and establish in more appropriate areas closer to population centers is under attack from neighbors who complain about the odor.

HSU Study on Biking in Older Adults
As the headline says, “Cycling keeps you young!”

Great Redwood Trail Follow-Up Bill in Limbo
SB 356, a follow-up to the Great Redwood Trail Act focused on the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART), appears to have been one of many casualties of a COVID-19 dominated legislative session.

Reminder: Make Your Street Story Reports
672 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!

Legislative Session Wraps Up
Among the outcomes: a bill to fast-track bike, pedestrian and transit projects passed, while another bill with a provision that would have threatened bikeshare programs with overwhelming liability was amended after outcry from advocates.

Another Vehicular Attack on Black Lives Matter Protesters
These ongoing attacks continue to remind us that similar local incidents in McKinleyville and Eureka did not happen in a vacuum.

CalBike Petition to Transform Traffic Law Enforcement
This is your chance to endorse principles for reducing the role of police in transportation safety and regulation.

Revisiting the Ecological Footprint (or Wheelprint)
The biggest portion of most Americans’ “ecological footprint” is linked to transportation – specifically driving. That’s one of the reasons it’s so important to drive less! But there’s increasing evidence that the focus on personal impacts might be counter-productive, and is encouraged by polluting industries to distract citizens from the much bigger systemic impacts caused by the industries themselves.

Charges Against Driver Who Almost Killed McKinleyville Demonstrators

Posted on August 28, 2020 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

August 28, 2020

CRTP Issues Major New Report
Three major phenomena are shaping the future of the transportation system in Humboldt County and nationwide: climate chaos, autonomous vehicles, and the road safety crisis (particularly for non-vehicular road users). Our new report lays out the challenges – and what we need to do about them. Find out more by reading the report and registering for our online presentation and Q&A session on September 10th.

District Attorney Charges Driver Who Almost Killed Racial Justice Demonstrators
The charges against the person who sped her SUV through a crowd in McKinleyville in June, narrowly missing people on foot and on horseback, include reckless driving, running a red light, and failure to yield to pedestrians. These are all misdemeanors or infractions which typically result only in fines or points on a license. Based on video of the incident and witness accounts, as well as the fact that this is not an isolated incident, CRTP believes that this was an intentional attempt to injure or kill people. We’re disappointed that the DA apparently didn’t take it more seriously.

Broadway Planning Process Moves Forward
At a public workshop this week, consultants announced that previously proposed ideas which included an extension of Waterfront Drive are no longer under consideration (good!), nor are any ideas to reduce vehicle lanes on Broadway (not so good). The remaining options include various forms of “couplets” (making Broadway one-way and adding another one-way on Koster and other streets), and safety improvements to the existing Broadway right-of-way. CRTP continues to advocate for immediate improvements to the existing right-of-way, given the urgent safety crisis for people trying to use Broadway without a car or truck.

Unsafe Conditions in “Safety Corridor”
Construction on southbound Highway 101 between Arcata and Eureka has recently resulted in a long stretch of 12-foot, red-painted, rumble strip-protected shoulder being replaced with a 4-foot, unpainted, completely unprotected new shoulder. This is a major bike commuting route and part of the officially designated Pacific Coast Bike Route, but the new conditions are completely unsafe for bicyclists. CRTP and allies have objected to the changes, and Caltrans has committed to “seeking a solution” to the problem. In recent days, part of the shoulder seems to have been widened marginally, and temporary orange cones added.

More Restaurants Put Tables in Parking Areas
The outdoors: it’s not just for vehicle storage!

New Partnership Promises Progress on Little River Trail
The Redwood Community Action Agency’s agreement with Caltrans could be just what’s needed to push ahead with a bike-ped connection between McKinleyville and points north.

Touchless Pedestrian Buttons on Broadway
CRTP has learned that, in response to our recent advocacy, Caltrans has begun rolling out touchless pedestrian buttons in Eureka. This technology allows people to activate the pedestrian signal with a wave of the hand, helping to avoid a “high-touch” surface in the pandemic era. So far, the new buttons have been installed on Broadway south of Wabash.

Sudden Pharmacy Closure in Southern Humboldt
The closure “will create travel times of an hour or more one way to the nearest pharmacy” for many residents, highlighting the importance of a dense mix of land uses and services to improve access for everyone and reduce vehicle miles traveled.

Reminder: Make Your Street Story Reports
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!

Crescent City Puts Sales Tax Increase on the Ballot
Some of the money would go toward transportation infrastructure.

In the 1920s, Eureka Police Were Serious About Traffic Laws
Back then, violating traffic laws wasn’t considered routine – it was seen as a serious threat to public safety and order.

San Francisco Closes Another Street on Weekends
The main purpose: to help businesses! Local businesses on the North Coast, take note.

The Legacy and Continuing Practice of Racism in Public Transit
Our transportation systems have all been shaped by racist decisions and policies, and transit is no exception.

Progress Toward Establishing Regional Transportation & Climate Targets

Posted on August 21, 2020 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

August 21, 2020

HCAOG Board Forms Ad Hoc Committee on Climate Targets
At its meeting on Thursday, the Humboldt County Association of Governments Board of Directors heard suggested goals from CRTP and allies for reducing driving and increasing transportation electrification. The Board then voted to form an ad hoc subcommittee made up of Arcata Mayor Michael Winkler, Fortuna City Council Member Mike Johnson, and Caltrans’ Kevin Tucker to consider such targets.

HCAOG Board Fails to Connect Racism to Other Inequities
In less positive news, the Board refused to approve the addition of anti-racist language into the Bylaws for its Social Services Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) until a sentence connecting racism with other transportation inequities was edited out. Even then, the Rio Dell representative voted against it. Board members professed to believe that there is no connection between racism and inequities involving the elderly, people with disabilities, and people living in poverty. For the record: Structural racism in transportation planning has tended to also result in inequities for other groups, in part because of the history of defining the “normative user” as an able-bodied white man with a car.

Public Meeting on Broadway Corridor Next Week
Show up (on Zoom) to tell planners that the top priority is increasing safety for pedestrians and bicyclists on Broadway now – no delays.

County Wants to Limit Parking…
…for people who have nowhere else to go. We suggest that instead of prohibiting overnight parking to evict houseless people from their campsites, the county focus on building affordable housing in accessible areas – and limit daytime parking in developed areas, where doing so actually encourage other forms of transportation.

Sheriff’s Deputy Hits Pedestrian
The person walking appears to have been seriously injured.

Planning Commission Hearing on Vehicle Miles Traveled is Delayed
After discussing one cannabis operation after another for 3 1/2 hours, the Humboldt County Planning Commission ran out of time to talk about vehicle miles traveled. The hearing is now scheduled for September 3rd.

Highway 36 Expansion Nears Completion
The widening and straightening have largely been touted as safety measures, but the comment by a spokesperson that it would also “improve traffic flow” is revealing. Research increasingly suggests that smoothing out flows and increasing vehicle speeds can actually decrease safety, but that message has apparently not trickled down to a lot of local highway planners.

Foor for People Adds More Walk-Up Food Distributions
Many people who need assistance with food can’t use drive-thrus, because they don’t have cars.

The Sprawl Pandemic
Another study finds that sprawl – not compact urban form, as conventional wisdom holds – is associated with high COVID-19 death rates.

Uber & Lyft in Pitched Battle Over Operations in California
Both companies claim it would kill them to recognize that their drivers are actually employees and provide them with legally required protections and benefits.

Bill Would Make It Easier to Build Bike & Bus Lanes
A hearing is expected soon. Here’s some background.

New Study on the Causes of the Pedestrian Safety Crisis
Bigger cars & trucks, wider roads and higher speeds are among the top culprits. Meanwhile, some experts say an internal investigation into the national car safety program might inadvertently spotlight the epidemic of pedestrian deaths.

“The Beginning of the End for Transit”?
The pandemic may be an existential threat for many transit systems if Congress doesn’t step up with more emergency funding.