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!
Next Round of Housing on Parking Lots Advances in Eureka
The Collector
June 18, 2021
HCAOG Board Approves Transit Grant Application
The Association of Governments will join the Humboldt Transit Authority, Redwood Coast Energy Authority, Schatz Energy Research Center, and several private companies in the bid for federal funds to study how to transition rural transit fleets to zero-emission vehicles. One of the leading technological contenders for that transition is hydrogen fuel-cell buses, and the US Department of Energy just announced that securing a supply of affordable “green” hydrogen is one of its major initiatives.
Last Week to Submit Comments on McKinleyville Transit Study!
Review the draft report and submit comments on the project website. Or just take the brief survey (en español aquí) – it takes less than 5 minutes! The last day for comments is next Friday, June 25th.
Next Round of Affordable Housing on Parking Lots Advances in Eureka
CRTP strongly supports these projects. Unfortunately, despite our feedback, the program still currently includes a requirement to preserve most of the existing parking spaces. That will reduce the number of possible housing units and make it more expensive to build – all to continue an unneeded subsidy for drivers. Meanwhile, the other big transportation item on the city calendar for this week – the Planning Commission hearing on the Bay-to-Zoo Trail – was canceled due to the lack of a quorum.
Take a Walking Tour of Arcata’s “Gateway District” Tomorrow
New plans for walkable infill development are being made for the “Gateway District,” which largely overlaps with the Creamery District.
County Budget Hearing on Monday
It’s local government budget season, and as always a large chunk of local budgets go to transportation infrastructure. However, most of that money goes toward maintaining the existing sprawling road network, rather than safety or multimodal improvements.
EPIC Petition to Pete Buttigieg on Richardson Grove
Opponents of the highway expansion project are going straight to the top with the latest call to action.
Local Project Delays Go to State Transportation Commission
At next week’s meeting, the Commission will vote on allowing delays for the Bay Trail South (due to difficulties purchasing the needed right-of-way), as well as for the safety-related shoulder widening on southern Central Avenue in McKinleyville and the Manila shared use path. As always, the Commission will consider a variety of other local projects, including allocating funds for a McKinleyville Safe Routes to School Project.
War of Words Continues Over Proposed Bayside Roundabout
The public argument seems to have devolved into a choice between increased traffic enforcement and a roundabout. We say: how about a pedestrian-friendly intersection and some traffic calming instead?
Have You Reported All Hazards, Crashes and Near Misses on Street Story Yet?
Higher numbers of reports mean these data get taken more seriously by decision-makers. Local residents have reported 765 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.
Bigger Pickup Trucks Are Killing Us
Consumer Reports is the latest organization to investigate.
New Bill Would Increase Funding for Rural Transit
And urban transit too!
Better Streets, Better Media Coverage
When local governments prioritize pedestrian safety, reporters notice.
Are Supersonic Planes Really Coming Back?
For the planet’s sake, let’s hope not.
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.
Another Problem with Traffic Stops
The Collector
June 11, 2021
Another Problem with Traffic Stops
It probably went unnoticed by most readers of this North Coast Journal article, but at least two of the alleged assaults by Sergeant Jason Daniels occurred at traffic stops. Over the last year, more attention has been paid to the vulnerability of people of color to police officers during traffic stops. This local case highlights the vulnerability of women – and potentially all people – to sexual assault during these same encounters. We should all think twice before calling for more law enforcement as a solution to our traffic problems.
Eureka City Council to Approve New Housing-on-Parking-Lots Plan
The latest batch of city-owned parking lots proposed to be turned into affordable housing has changed due to opposition from some business owners and neighbors. Regardless, CRTP is fully on board with turning excess car storage into much-needed housing for people – especially in walkable downtown neighborhoods.
Bay-to-Zoo Trail Environmental Documents Up for Review by Eureka Planning Commission
As noted in our comment letter, we strongly support the trail. However, we do want to see a better design for the southern portion (where the route joins Dolbeer Street), some other safety improvements, and no big parking lot.
Ride the Bus Free in Arcata This Month!
Grab a mask and get back on the bus.
The Kind of Process We Want from Caltrans
With a transparent, inclusive and deliberative process from the start, environmentalists are working well with Caltrans on the Last Chance Grade project.
County, Caltrans Agree to Wetland Mitigation for Bay Trail
Another step toward completing the final four miles between Arcata and Eureka!
McKinleyville Transit Study Presentation to HCAOG Board
This will be the final public presentation on the draft report before public comment ends on June 25th. You can also check out the full draft report and submit comments on the project website. Or fill out the brief survey (en español aquí).
Seriously, Report Hazards on Street Story
Higher numbers of reports mean these data get taken more seriously by decision-makers. Local residents have reported 764 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí.
15-Minute Cities
A new bill could make “15-minute cities” a planning standard in California, and generally we think that’s a really good idea. But it’s important that we don’t leave certain people behind with a focus on speed of travel.
The Bikeshare “Poison Pill” Is Back
A bill that passed the state Assembly would put an onerous liability burden on operators of bike- and scooter-sharing systems.
New Report: We Need a Lot More EV Charging Stations in California
So what are we going to do about it?
Bipartisan Bill Would Remove Environmental Protections for Transportation Projects
Apparently both parties in Congress can agree that building more car infrastructure is just too important to let pesky environmental concerns get in the way.
New Infrastructure Proposal Sticks to “Traditional Infrastructure”
Make no mistake, “traditional infrastructure” doesn’t just mean no funding for fighting climate change – it also means we’ll be building more roads for cars and trucks that spew even more climate-harming emissions.
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.
Sea Level Rise, Richardson Grove, and Eureka’s Business Mogul
The Collector
June 4, 2021
Talk on Monday About Humboldt Bay Sea Level Rise
We have the highest rate of sea level rise on the West Coast, and a lot of transportation infrastructure is at risk. CRTP is co-sponsoring this talk by local sea level rise expert Aldaron Laird about the current status of local sea level rise science and response efforts.
Public Meeting Next Thursday on Draft McKinleyville Transit Study Report
Register by clicking the link above. Or check out the full draft report and submit comments on the project website. Or fill out the brief survey (en español aquí). Just let us know what you think one way or another!
More Opponents of the Richardson Grove Project
Add Save the Redwoods League and local tribal organizations to the long list of opponents of the highway-expansion project (including CRTP).
Arkley Threatens to Sue Over Housing on Parking Lots
Eureka’s own arch-conservative business mogul is unhappy about the city’s plan to build much-needed affordable housing on city-owned parking lots, though we’re not exactly sure why.
Eureka Council Talks Road Projects and Funding
Ultimately, they voted to spend this particular money on repaving projects. But Councilmember Leslie Castellano did suggest that they should consider using some of it on bike and pedestrian improvements.
New Bikeshare Program Debuts in Arcata
Since Zagster folded last year, the area has been without a bikeshare system. But no more! The new system is branded Humboldt Bikeshare and is pretty darn affordable.
Arcata Transportation Committee Has a New Member
On Wednesday, the City Council appointed local planner Misael Ramos Carrasco to the committee, which now has a full complement of members. Next up: filling the vacant spots on Eureka’s Transportation Safety Commission!
More People Think We Should Build Housing on the Bayshore Mall Site
We would add: even if the mall stays, there’s a lot of extra parking that could be put to better use.
Make your Street Story reports!
Local residents have reported 764 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!
Important Transportation Bills Pass Assembly
AB 117, the e-bike subsidy bill, and AB 1238, the Freedom to Walk Act, are both now awaiting action in the state Senate. (We apologize for misreading the legislative history and previously reporting that these bills had been sent to suspense.) Also SB 69, the Great Redwood Trail Agency bill, unanimously passed the Senate and now heads to the Assembly.
Pedestrian Fatalities Rose Again in 2020
The long tragedy continues to unfold.
New York Could Require Pedestrian Safety Ratings on New Cars
Why don’t we have these already?
US Senate Committee Passes New Transportation Bill
It mostly follows the same broken formulas as transportation bills of the past, albeit with some nicer window dressing.
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.
E-Scooters, Transit, Millions of Dollars, and More
The Collector
May 28, 2021
E-Scooters, Transit, Millions of Dollars, and More
“Technical Advisory Committee” might sound boring, but next week’s agenda for this quiet but influential Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) committee is anything but. The committee will get a presentation from the e-scooter company Bird about its interest in operating in Humboldt, hear the annual Unmet Transit Needs report and a presentation about the McKinleyville Transit Study (see below), make recommendations about newly available Coronavirus relief funding, and consider a draft of the first-ever Regional Transportation Plan “land use-transportation element.” And that’s not even all of it!
McKinleyville Transit Study Draft Report Available for Review
The report calls for piloting an on-demand micro-transit system as a first step toward improving public transportation in McKinleyville. Take the survey (en español aquí) or provide any other comments by June 25th. There will also be public presentations at next week’s Humboldt County Association of Governments Technical Advisory Committee and Social Services Transportation Advisory Council meetings.
CRTP & Allies Comment on Nordic AquaFarms Environmental Documents
We asked for a full Environmental Impact Report, and we got it. We’re happy about that, and ready for the next phase of analysis.
Eureka City Council to Vote on How to Spend SB1 Money
SB1 created, among other things, the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account, from which the city expects to receive about half a million dollars next year. They plan to spend it on repaving parts of Washington and E Streets. But this money could be spent instead on critical safety projects, including bike and pedestrian infrastructure. Maybe it’s just us, but we think that’s a little more important than repaving, given Eureka’s traffic safety crisis.
Humboldt County Wants to Hear from You About Sea Level Rise
Critical transportation infrastructure is at risk, especially around Humboldt Bay.
Make your Street Story reports!
Local residents have reported 763 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 Supply Chains Still Struggling to Meet Demand
It’s a good sign that demand is still high this far into the pandemic.
Will That Electric F-150 Save Us?
Despite some fawning press coverage, let’s not forget that it’s still an oversized pedestrian-killing machine.
The “CalBike Insider”
Ever wonder what’s really going on in Sacramento? This new feature from CalBike provides some behind-the-scenes insights into transportation politicking in the state capital.
The New York Times Talks Urban Highway Removal
Planners are beginning to realize that it’s better to build cities that are nice to live in than ones that are convenient for suburban commuters to get in and out of.
Environmentalists Ask for Habitat Connectivity Money in Transportation Budget
Streets and highways have a huge impact on wildlife populations.
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.
New, More Political Environmental Group Debuts on the North Coast
The Collector
May 21, 2021
Humboldt Supervisors Support a “Qualified” Climate Action Plan
“Qualified,” in this case, is a good thing. It means that the Plan will meet state greenhouse gas reduction targets and require monitoring and updates to ensure the targets are met. Since transportation is the county’s biggest source of emissions, this would mean major changes for our local transportation system.
New, More Political Environmental Group Debuts on the North Coast
The Redwood Coalition for Climate and Environmental Responsibility (RCCER, or “rocker”) is not a non-profit, so it can do political work that other groups (including CRTP) can’t. Its mission is “to ensure that local elected officials and government agencies on California’s North Coast take robust, just, and equitable actions to address the climate crisis and other key environmental issues.”
Deadline Approaching for Comment on Fish Farm Environmental Documents
When does a fish farm relate to transportation? When it generates 95 trucks trips per week and has 150 commuting employees. CRTP has teamed up with other local environmental groups to provide detailed comments on the project’s impacts. You should have your say too! You can find out more on last week’s EcoNews Report.
Arcata to Get More Public Input on Old Arcata Road Project
It appears the project is headed for a full Environmental Impact Report.
McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee to Hear Transit Study Update
The draft transit study report is expected to be released before the meeting next Wednesday.
Arcata Transportation & Energy Committee to Hold Annual Joint Meeting
The meeting will focus on the current Regional Transportation Plan update process, presumably with discussion focusing on proposed greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled reduction targets.
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!
A Busy Week Killing Bills in the Legislature
This week was when we found out which bills were sent to the notorious “suspense file” – where bills go to die. Bills that received that fate include the decriminalize-jaywalking Freedom to Walk Act, the e-bike subsidy bill, the session’s main pro-housing density bill, and a bill that would pilot programs to make it easier to lower speed limits. Fortunately, SB 69, the bill to create the Great Redwood Trail Agency, survived the bloodbath.
This is Global Road Safety Week
Among other things, the United Nations is circulating an open letter calling for speed limits of 30 km/hr (20 mph) “on streets where people walk, live and play.”
Air Resources Board Set to Mandate Electric Uber & Lyft Vehicles
But who will pay for it – the companies or their “independent” drivers?
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.
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.