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! You can submit items for consideration, or just enjoy the news collection!
Supervisors Support Railbanking in Contested Vote
The Collector
May 14, 2021
A Contested Vote to Support Railbanking
Despite the fact that by all indications the Great Redwood Trail is a wildly popular idea, and it relies on railbanking of the North Coast Railroad Authority right-of-way, the vote to express support for railbanking was closely contested and barely passed. It appears that a new wave of property-rights activism in rural parts of the county may be the reason this routine letter of support suddenly became controversial. Several other local agencies are considering letters of support next week.
Update on 101 Safety Corridor Project
Caltrans will provide a report on the project at Thursday’s Humboldt County Association of Governments meeting. CRTP has learned that the project is currently “out to bid” – meaning construction can be expected before long.
New Report on Adapting Humboldt’s Trail System to Sea Level Rise
The report was produced by Humboldt State students for CRTP and Humboldt Baykeeper. It calls for long-term planning and collaboration to ensure a resilient trail system and encourage more active transportation.
Even More Bike Month!
This Sunday is the Eureka Bike Scavenger Hunt. Then on Monday is a Virtual Bike Skills Workshop, and Thursday is officially Bike to Wherever Day. And don’t forget about Bike Bingo!
EPIC & Tribes Call on Caltrans to Cancel Richardson Grove Project
The new statement on an old project brings tribal concerns to the forefront.
Arcata Council to Consider Old Arcata Road Project
Next week, the City Council will consider the long-planned project’s environmental documents and hear public input. The project includes much-needed bike and pedestrian improvements which CRTP fully supports, as well as a roundabout – which is car-oriented design that we’re not so excited about.
Register for the 2021 Humboldt Trails Summit
It’s just a few weeks away!
Make your Street Story reports!
Local residents have reported 761 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí. CRTP uses reports to advocate for change, and local agencies use them to apply for grants and prioritize improvements. Your reports are important!
Last Chance to Tell Pete Buttigieg to Reform the Federal Traffic Manual
It’s quick and easy using the template provided by America Walks. And the deadline is midnight tonight!
How Should Local Bike Safety Be Measured?
Traditionally, collisions are compared to local population. A new report instead compares them to local bike miles traveled (BMT), with some surprising results.
COVID “Slow Streets” Were Great for Business
Many towns and cities are now making these vehicle-restricted streets a permanent fixture. Unfortunately, none of our local communities took this step over the last year.
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.
More City-Owned Parking Lots Slated for Affordable Housing
The Collector
May 7, 2021
More City-Owned Parking Lots Slated for Affordable Housing
Following up on its success attracting the Linc Housing project last year, Eureka is preparing this year to ask developers to build housing on another 3 city-owned lots in the downtown area. At community meetings this week, a lot of business owners complained that this isn’t the right place for such housing, because the demand for car storage is too high. CRTP believes strongly that the fact that downtown is a busy area with lots of businesses and other destinations is exactly why it’s the right place for new housing. Although we are also intrigued at the possibility of redevelopment of the Bayshore Mall parking lot, a suggestion made by a few community members at these meetings.
Bike Month Continues!
Next week there’s a Friendly Driver webinar, which teaches you how to keep walkers, bikers and rollers safe when you’re behind the wheel. Find out more about Bike Month on the latest EcoNews Report, and keep logging those rides and playing Bike Bingo!
New E-Bike/E-Scooter Sharing Company Coming to Humboldt?
At this week’s Technical Advisory Committee meeting for the Humboldt County Association of Governments, representatives of Arcata and Fortuna revealed that they have been approached by Bird, one of the giants in the dockless e-scooter/e-bike sharing industry, with interest in setting up shop in Humboldt. We’ll bring you more details when we get them…
Humboldt Transit Authority Moving Toward Zero Emission Buses
This week the Board authorized staff to apply for grants to fund new buses – likely electric for in-town routes and hydrogen fuel-cell buses for longer routes. At the same meeting, the Board approved discounted bus passes for a bulk purchase by Linc Housing, which will provide them for free to its future tenants in Eureka.
Speaking of Linc Housing…
Next week, the nonprofit affordable housing developer will hold another community meeting to share which bike, pedestrian and transit improvements it will be applying to include in its Eureka project.
A Rare Arrest in a Vehicle-Pedestrian Crash
We are grateful that the victim’s injuries are only “moderate.” Charges were also filed this week in a separate pedestrian hit-and-run incident. Is the Eureka Police Department getting more aggressive in pursuing drivers in pedestrian-related crashes?
New Pedal-Powered Business Opens in Arcata
Just another cool use for the incredible machine we call the bicycle.
Make your Street Story reports!
Local residents have reported 760 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí. CRTP uses reports to advocate for change, and local agencies use them to apply for grants and prioritize improvements. Your reports are important!
State Transportation Commission to Approve $58 Million for Safety Corridor Project
The funding allocation is a sign that construction of the long-planned changes to the Arcata-Eureka Highway 101 corridor is getting closer. Also at next week’s meeting, the Commission will consider requests to delay active transportation improvement projects in Arcata and Blue Lake.
What’s It Like to Be a Driver Who Kills a Pedestrian?
We don’t normally look at these crashes from the driver’s perspective, but this podcast is really worth a listen.
How Can Bikeshare Programs Be More Equitable?
They’ve got to make it a priority.
More on the Fight Over the Federal Traffic Manual
Supporters of the auto-centric manual are portraying themselves as the victims of a “cancel culture” attempt to overhaul it. We agree with former Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, who responded: “I thought the victims were the people getting killed on the streets.”
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.
Survey Results Released, PLUS: Bike Month Starts Tomorrow!
The Collector
April 30, 2021
Transportation Survey Results Released
CRTP has just released the results of our Humboldt County transportation attitudes survey. The 128 respondents represented a broad demographic and geographical cross-section of Humboldt County, and along with overall findings we looked at results related to community of residence, age, gender, disability, income, and race/ethnicity. Perhaps the most striking finding is that people overwhelmingly want to drive less and walk, bike, and/or take the bus more.
Bike Month Starts Tomorrow!
It’s Bike Month again in Humboldt County. Check out the calendar of events here, and play along with Bike Month Bingo too! We also encourage everyone to pick up a Bike Month Humboldt temporary “bike plate” to put on your bike this month to show support – available at most local bike shops and city halls.
Take the Survey on Eureka Transportation Improvements
Linc Housing, the non-profit behind the three new affordable housing projects planned for Eureka city-owned parking lots, is looking for public feedback on potential bike, pedestrian and transit improvements to go with the new housing.
Committee to Consider First Drafts of Regional Transportation Plan Elements
Next week, the Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) Technical Advisory Committee will review early drafts of the Active Transportation and Commercial & Industrial Transportation Elements for the new Regional Transportation Plan update. This is the first public preview of how HCAOG will incorporate its new greenhouse gas and driving reduction goals into this critical plan.
Eureka City Council to Adopt Traffic Safety as Strategic Goal
It’s one of five goal areas identified by the Council in its recent strategic planning process. At the same meeting next week, the Council will hear a report on the inter-agency Climate Action Plan currently under development in the county.
Speaking of Climate Action and Regional Transportation Plans…
Check out CRTP’s article in the most recent issue of the EcoNews to find out just how important these two plans will be.
Make your Street Story reports!
Local residents have reported 758 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí. CRTP uses reports to advocate for change, and local agencies use them to apply for grants and prioritize improvements. Your reports are important!
Speed Hump Hurdles
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors held a hearing this week on whether to allow two speed humps to be installed near Bridgeville School on Kneeland Road. The fact that a public hearing had to be conducted just to install some very basic traffic safety infrastructure in a school zone shows just how difficult the county’s policies make it to do anything that might slow down cars and trucks.
Check Out Our Comments on the Bay-to-Zoo Trail
We strongly support this project – but there are still important improvements to be made.
Last Chance Grade Alternatives Down to Two
Caltrans announced this week that the only two options it’s still considering are permanently shoring up the existing highway route or building a major tunnel. Thankfully, these are also the two least environmentally damaging of the options formerly under consideration.
Assembly Transportation Committee Passes Freedom to Walk Act
Could this be the first step toward restoring pedestrians’ right to the road? Also this week, the bill to allow more density in single-family zoning districts passed another committee – which could be the first step toward developing more walkable land use patterns in many parts of the state.
Florida Wants to Build Hundreds of Miles of New Freeways
What century is Florida living in?
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.
Arcata to Get New Wayfinding Signs for Pedestrians
The Collector
April 23, 2021
McKinleyville Transit Study Update Next Week
The draft report will be released for public comment very soon! Get the most current information at next Wednesday’s McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee meeting.
Public Meeting on Eureka Affordable Housing Project Next Week
On Thursday, Linc Housing will hold a meeting to hear from the public about active transportation, transit and other amenities that could be included in its three new affordable apartment buildings to be constructed on city-owned parking lots. CRTP strongly supports this project, which recently became controversial when the city’s Planning Commission Chair quit in a huff over the fact that the project is actually allowed under the city’s new land use codes.
Two More Serious Pedestrian Crashes in Eureka This Week
After the hit-and-run on Wabash on Sunday, a semi-truck driver hit a pedestrian on Broadway on Wednesday. Both victims are in serious condition as of the latest reports.
Arcata to Get New Wayfinding Signs for Pedestrians
The “semi-permanent” signs will be installed as part of an HSU student project trying to enhance connections between campus and other parts of town.
Traffic Safety Snubbed by Measure Z Funds
Despite the fact that far more people in Humboldt County die in vehicle crashes than in other criminal acts, the Board of Supervisors continued the trend this week of allocating lots of Measure Z “public safety” funds to law enforcement and none to road safety. The lone street safety project under consideration, a traffic light on F Street in Eureka, was ranked too low by the advisory committee to receive funding.
Humboldt Supervisors Worried About New State Fire Safety Regulations
Why is this a transportation issue? By limiting development in fire-prone areas through increasingly stringent road standards, the new rules could substantially impact rural land use and transportation patterns.
Make your Street Story reports!
Local residents have reported 757 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí. CRTP uses reports to advocate for change, and local agencies use them to apply for grants and prioritize improvements. Your reports are important!
Bike Safety Stop Bill Passes Assembly
If it passes the Senate and is signed by the Governor, California residents on bikes will join those of many other states in being able to lawfully roll through stop signs when conditions are safe. Research has consistently shown the rolling stop – a.k.a. safety stop, a.k.a. “Idaho stop” – to be safer than requiring people on bikes to come to a full stop and then start again.
Will People Keep Working from Home After the Pandemic?
Some new data from a survey of California commuters adds to the speculation.
Republican State Legislatures Absolve Drivers Who Hit Protesters
It’s already hard to hold drivers accountable. The new laws practically declare open season on pedestrians, as long as they’re protesting for social justice.
Green New Deal for Cities?
With a new bill, progressive leaders in Congress are acknowledging the critical role local governments must play in addressing the climate crisis through transportation infrastructure and other investments.
Putting Infrastructure Thinking in Reverse
We need to build a lot of new bike lanes, sidewalks, and transit – but removing auto-oriented infrastructure might be an easier and even more effective way of fighting climate chaos.
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.
Humboldt County Overwhelmed with Junked Vehicles
The Collector
April 16, 2021
CRTP Weighs in On State Climate & Transportation Infrastructure Plan, Federal Traffic Control Manual
Check out what we had to say about the draft Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure and the “notorious MUTCD.” Comment periods for both documents are still open, so you can submit your comments too! Find instructions here and here.
Humboldt County Overwhelmed with Junked Vehicles
It’s a problem second only to cannabis for the code enforcement team, and an impact of our society’s addiction to cars that usually doesn’t get much attention.
Bike Month is Back!
Get a sneak preview in the latest edition of the Humboldt Bay Bicycle Commuters Association newsletter.
Redwood Way to Get Pedestrian Improvements
Sidewalks! What a nice idea.
4-Mile Run/Walk/Roll This Weekend to Remember David Josiah Lawson
Charmaine Lawson points out the benefits of active transportation for a healthy community.
Make your Street Story reports!
Local residents have reported 752 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí. CRTP uses reports to advocate for change, and local agencies use them to apply for grants and prioritize improvements. Your reports are important!
Bike “Safety Stop” Bill Passes First Committee
Other bills passing out of committee this week include SB 9, which would dramatically increase allowable housing densities in many areas, and AB 1401, which would bar local governments from imposing minimum parking requirements on developments within 1/2 mile of a major transit route. (Unfortunately for us, there are currently no major transit routes on the North Coast.)
The New Phenomenon of Climate Gentrification
Wealthy homeowners fleeing sea level rise, wildfires, and other climate-driven disasters may drive up rents in some low-income areas.
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.
Arcata Hires Active Transportation Expert for Key Position
The Collector
April 9, 2021
CHP to Increase Enforcement on Crash-Prone Highway 101
We appreciate the Highway Patrol’s recognition that this is a dangerous highway, but we have strong reservations about enforcement as a solution. Long experience has shown that traffic enforcement disproportionately affects people of color and isn’t that effective at reducing crashes over the long term.
Local Active Transportation Expert Hired for Key Position at City of Arcata
Redwood Community Action Agency Natural Resources Director – and friend of CRTP – Emily Sinkhorn has been named Arcata’s new Environmental Services Director.
Yep, Eureka’s Getting That Safety Money!
More on the story we highlighted last week.
Eureka Renovators Want to Provide Less Parking
Of course, we support this request made by the Bells to the Eureka Planning Commission. Less parking means less of a subsidy for driving. We just wish they weren’t reducing the number of residential units at the same time.
Railbanking Spat Continues
Memo to TRANSDEF (whoever they are): People who live up here actually want this corridor to be developed as a trail.
Humboldt County to Get Service from New Budget Airline
The cheapest way to maximize greenhouse gas emissions while you travel.
Make your Street Story reports!
Local residents have reported 747 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí. CRTP uses reports to advocate for change, and local agencies use them to apply for grants and prioritize improvements. Your reports are important!
Biden Wants to Eliminate Exclusionary Zoning
And other critical but under-reported features of the American Jobs Plan.
How Can We Lower Transportation Emissions Without Worsening Inequity?
A debate is raging in the Northeast.
E-Bike Incentive Bill Unanimously Passes Assembly Committee
But its legislative journey is far from over.
NTSB Adds Bike and Pedestrian Safety to Its Priority List
The National Transportation Safety Board doesn’t have much of a track record of focusing on non-vehicular road users. To bring themselves up to speed (or, hopefully, down), they might want to check out this overview of the laws and regulations that systematically make our streets more dangerous.
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 Gets Funding for Long-Awaited Bike & Pedestrian Improvements
The Collector
April 2, 2021
Have You Experienced a Personal Loss from a Traffic Collision?
Humboldt County is currently ranked as the most dangerous county in the state for pedestrians by the state’s Office of Traffic Safety. In Eureka alone, more than 130 deaths and serious injuries of pedestrians and bicyclists occurred in the last decade. CRTP is in the early stages of planning a memorial event to honor those whose lives have been lost.
We ask your help in contacting the families and friends of those victims who are willing to tell their stories, to bring the real people into focus beyond the statistics. Our approach is grounded in compassion for their suffering and loss. We seek not to reopen wounds but to provide an avenue for their voices and those lost to speak out and make a difference. Please join us is getting this message out as widely as possible. Those who wish to participate may contact Executive Director Colin Fiske at colin@transportationpriorities.org.
Eureka Awarded Major Funding for Bike & Pedestrian Improvements
In a move that gave us hope this week, Caltrans announced that the city would receive nearly $4 million to implement the long-awaited North-South Multimodal Corridor Plan on H & I Streets and to build 18 improved pedestrian crossings on 6th and 7th Streets.
CRTP and Friends Discuss Humboldt’s Regional Transportation Plan Update
Check out the latest EcoNews Report.
Trees Slow Traffic and Improve Safety
That’s why we’re excited about the new street tree program along part of the Highway 101 corridor in Eureka. You can even sign up to adopt a tree!
The Infrastructure Bill’s Potential Impact on Humboldt County
Local officials speculate. We remind decision-makers: (1) There is a climate crisis and a safety crisis, and those should be prioritized in spending. (2) It’s not popular to admit it, but we will never overcome our long-term road maintenance deficits, because rural and suburban roads just don’t pay for themselves in new tax revenues.
A Hit-and-Run Conviction
The story is noteworthy because in the US, it is extremely rare for a driver to face serious consequences for hitting a pedestrian.
Huffman Grills Secretary Pete on Last Chance Grade
The perennially failing highway segment got a brief national spotlight last week.
Make your Street Story reports!
Local residents have reported 745 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí. CRTP uses reports to advocate for change, and local agencies use them to apply for grants and prioritize improvements. Your reports are important!
The “Freedom to Walk Act”
This week we highlight a state bill that if enacted would revolutionize transportation law by essentially eliminating the crime of “jaywalking.” Jaywalking laws (and the term itself) were invented by the auto industry a century ago to institutionalize auto dominance by removing people from the traditional public space of the street. Enforcement has always been arbitrary and generally perpetuates racial and class inequities.
Single Family Zoning Is Racist
A general overview of its historical context and its ongoing perpetuation of inequity – and one woman’s crusade to eliminate the practice in Berkeley.
Huffman to USPS: Where Are the EVs?
Our North Coast Congressman calls out the Postal Service’s new long-term delivery vehicle contract for failure to provide a substantial increase in electric vehicles.
Housing, Transportation and Pollution Agencies to Hold Joint Meeting
The (legally mandated) semi-annual joint meetings of the California Transportation Commission, Air Resources Board and Department of Housing and Community Development are always interesting.
Study Shows That More Bike Infrastructure Led to More Biking in the Pandemic
In the immortal words of Billie Eilish: “Duh.”
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 Residents (Still) Want a Walkable Town Center
The Collector
March 26, 2021
Wanted: Bigfoot Costume
CRTP is looking for a Bigfoot/Sasquatch costume. We can’t reveal its use yet, but we think you’ll like it. If you have a costume you’d like to donate or buy for us, get in touch: colin@transportationpriorities.org.
Another Pedestrian Hit-and-Run in Eureka
The horrifying crash was captured on a security camera. Thankfully, the victim was not severely injured.
McKinleyville Residents Want a Walkable Town Center
Once again, that was the dominant theme to emerge from this week’s special McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee meeting.
Arcata Council Not So Transportation-Focused?
At its goal-setting meeting this week, the City Council prioritized many worthy objectives and projects. But transportation issues were barely mentioned, except to say that they should be considered when approving new development projects.
Bay-to-Zoo Trail Environmental Documents Released
Comments are being accepted through April 28th.
Out-of-Area Group Objects to Great Redwood Trail Railbanking
Um, who are these people, and why are they trying to get in the way of our trails?
Make your Street Story reports!
Local residents have reported 745 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí. CRTP uses reports to advocate for change, and local agencies use them to apply for grants and prioritize improvements. Your reports are important!
California’s Getting $900 Million More for Transportation
The money comes from the federal COVID relief bill, and this week the California Transportation Commission (CTC) voted on how to divide the money among existing programs. Now the real decisions will be made: what exactly will get built with this money?
Transportation Advocate Appointed to State Transportation Commission
Speaking of the CTC, Governor Newsom just appointed Darnell Grisby to the Commission. Grisby is Executive Director of TransForm, a progressive Bay Area transportation advocacy group. This marks a major shift in appointments to the CTC, which has traditionally been dominated by conservative highway-loving developers and builders. But don’t get too excited – at the same time, Newsom also reappointed Joe Tavaglione, a conservative highway-loving developer.
Bike “Safety Stop” Bill Approved by Transportation Committee
There are many more votes ahead.
California’s Diesel Rules Are Saving Lives
A lot of them.
But Where Will All the Lithium Come From?
Electric vehicles need batteries. Those batteries need lithium. And lithium mining – like most mining – is not a pretty business.
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.
Bold New Regional Transportation Plan Moves Forward
The Collector
March 19, 2021
Bold New Regional Transportation Plan Moves Forward
At its meeting on Thursday, the Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) Board of Directors gave the go-ahead to incorporate ambitious greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled reduction targets into the upcoming Regional Transportation Plan update, and to reorganize the plan around the issues of climate, safety and equity. CRTP helped develop the draft targets and strongly supports the plan’s new direction. A number of you, dear readers, responded to our Action Alert this week and provided comments to HCAOG, which helped ensure broad support on the Board. Thank you!
“How to Save Lives by Improving News Coverage”
If you missed this week’s talk by Dr. Kelcie Ralph, check out (and share) this 8-minute video explaining her team’s research on pitfalls and best practices in media coverage of vehicle-pedestrian crashes.
Save the Date: Talk on Electric Vehicle Charging in Humboldt
On April 5, CRTP is co-sponsoring a talk by three EV researchers (and HSU alumni) about how to ensure full and equitable access to charging infrastructure.
State Transportation Commission to Vote on Key North Coast Projects
Next week, Commissioners will vote on funding for the Arcata section of the Annie & Mary Trail and a complete streets project in Happy Camp, an emergency project to repair “a large void” recently discovered underneath 4th Street asphalt and sidewalk in Eureka, leases between the North Coast Railroad Authority and Humboldt County and the City of Eureka to allow future trail construction, and a number of other local projects.
Humboldt Supervisors Declare Support for US Bike Route 95
Never heard of it? That’s probably because it currently only exists in Alaska. But it’s envisioned to stretch all the way down the coast to San Diego, incorporating much of the existing Pacific Coast Bike Route.
La versión en línea de Street Story ahora está disponible en inglés y español.
Local residents have reported 744 reports (and counting) on Street Story. And if you are more comfortable filling out a form in Spanish or know people who are, there’s a new Spanish-language version of Street Story for you! Of course, the English-language version is still available here. CRTP uses reports to advocate for change, and local agencies use them to apply for grants and prioritize improvements. Your reports are important!
State Releases Draft Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure
The plan covers both climate adaptation and climate mitigation. Comments are due by May 4th.
Great Redwood Trail Bill Advances to Committee
State Senator McGuire’s bill to fully dissolve the North Coast Railroad Authority and replace it with a new Great Redwood Trail Agency will be heard by the Senate Transportation Committee on April 13th.
Why We Should All Love Traffic Congestion
It’s probably the only thing standing in the way of an even higher death toll on our streets. That means that it’s imperative to change our street designs to slow traffic in conjunction with reducing vehicle miles traveled to fight climate change.
Buttigieg Focusing on Racial Equity
It’s a welcome change at the top of the US Department of Transportation.
Farhad Manjoo Does It Again
The New York Times opinion columnist explains how buses have the potential to solve so many of our transportation problems.
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 Safety Plan to Be Overhauled
The Collector
March 12, 2021
Monday: Vehicle-Pedestrian Crashes and the Media
CRTP is sponsoring a talk and Q&A session on Monday by Dr. Kelcie Ralph of Rutgers University. Dr. Ralph talk on Vehicle-Pedestrian Crashes and the Media is targeted at people working in the media, law enforcement, and related fields. If you or someone you know is a reporter, editor or law enforcement official interested in this event, use the link above to register.
Board Will Weigh in on Humboldt Regional Transportation Plan Update
The Humboldt County Association of Governments will get an update next Thursday and weigh in on draft greenhouse gas and driving reduction goals developed by an ad hoc committee. CRTP participated in developing the goals, which are appropriately ambitious!
Last Chance for Our Survey
We extended the deadline to give everyone extra time to fill out CRTP’s survey on local transportation attitudes. But the survey officially closes on Monday, so if you haven’t filled it out, do it now! Spanish-language version here.
Committee Established to Update Eureka Safety Plan
Responding to comments from CRTP and members of the public, Eureka’s Transportation Safety Commission on Tuesday established a subcommittee to update and strengthen the city’s anemic Transportation Safety Action Plan.
La versión en línea de Street Story ahora está disponible en inglés y español.
Local residents have reported 742 reports (and counting) on Street Story. And if you are more comfortable filling out a form in Spanish or know people who are, there’s a new Spanish-language version of Street Story for you! Of course, the English-language version is still available here. CRTP uses reports to advocate for change, and local agencies use them to apply for grants and prioritize improvements. Your reports are important!
Dangerous by Design 2021
The biannual report on pedestrian safety was released this week. Tragically, the last decade’s trend of increasing pedestrian deaths is continuing, and in many cases getting worse. There has also been little progress addressing inequities based on race, income and age. It is worth quoting part of the report at length: “Why is this happening? In a word, because state and local transportation agencies place a higher value on speed (and avoiding delay) than they do on safety. It’s simply not possible to prioritize both. When faced with decisions that would elevate and prioritize safety for people walking but increase delay for vehicles, the decision-makers’ true priorities are laid bare….Many states and localities have spent the last ten years focusing on enforcement, running ineffectual education campaigns, or blaming the victims of these crashes, while ignoring or actively distracting people from the role of roadway design in these deaths. States and localities must stop deploying the same playbook and expecting this trend to change—they need a fundamentally different approach to the problem. They need to acknowledge that their approach to building and operating streets and roads contributes to these deaths.”
Transportation and Land Use Bills in the State Legislature
Bills CRTP is tracking include AB 122, which would legalize the “safety stop” (i.e., rolling stop) for bikes at stop signs; SB 9, which would basically end single-family zoning by allowing increased density in single-family zoned areas; AB 1401, which would prohibit local governments from enforcing minimum parking requirements in walkable areas and near transit; AB 43, which would make it a little easier to keep speed limits low; and AB 117, which would provide a subsidy for e-bikes.
Huffman Reintroduces Postal Service Electric Vehicle Bill
Our North Coast Congressman has been working toward electrifying the postal service’s national vehicle fleet for some time.
$30 Billion for Transit Stayed in COVID Relief Bill
Much needed operational support, and some capital support, will be coming soon to the nation’s transit agencies. Or at least most of them.
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.