The Collector

August 6, 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.

The Collector

July 30, 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.

The Collector

July 23, 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.

The Collector

July 16, 2021

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Take the Regional Transportation Plan Survey
Several draft chapters of the Humboldt County Regional Transportation Plan update are now available for public review, along with a brief survey to gather input on local residents’ transportation priorities. Let them know you want better bike, pedestrian and transit systems!

New Guidelines for Arcata Transportation Improvements
CRTP Intern Jaclyn Taylor recently completed a guide for the City of Arcata to implement the recommendations from our 2020 “Elephants in the Road” report. She’ll be presenting her report to the City’s Transportation Safety Committee next Tuesday.

Supervisors Require Trail Easement for Mega-Grow
Perhaps surprisingly, bike and pedestrian infrastructure along Foster Avenue became a significant issue in the debate over the proposed cannabis operation in the Arcata Bottoms.

About That Climate Action Plan
It has to meet certain standards to be worthwhile, says the new Redwood Coalition for Climate and Environmental Responsibility (RCCER). The implications for our local transportation system, which is the biggest source of emissions, are enormous.

Bay to Zoo Trail Hearing Continued
The Eureka Planning Commission heard from both supporters and opponents of the trail on Monday before continuing the hearing to a future meeting. To the person who worried that children might be attacked by wildlife on this future trail through the trees: we have to respond that cars are a leading cause of death for children and adolescents, while wildlife attacks are so rare as to not even register in the statistics.

More Secondary Units on the Way
Locals are applying for more permits to build Accessory Dwelling Units (“mother-in-law” units), a low-impact way to increase density and walkability in urban areas.

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Keep Reporting Those Hazards, Crashes and Near Misses
Higher numbers of reports mean these data get taken more seriously by decision-makers. Local residents have reported 766 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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Speed Limit Bill Watered Down Even More
AB 43 is the latest in a long string of bills attempting to reform California’s dangerous and nonsensical method for setting speed limits. It passed the Assembly, but State Senators are now demonstrating a shameful devotion to speed over safety and cars over people by adding one amendment after another to preserve the status quo. Recent amendments have removed the requirement for considering bike and pedestrian safety when setting speed limits, limited the ability to set speeds lower on high-injury and high-fatality roadways, made it much harder to designate a “business district” (where speeds can be slightly lower), and removed bike and pedestrian activity from the definition of a business district.

Caltrans Looks to Widen Broadway Shoulders
There will be a hearing next week at the City of Eureka. The widened shoulders should represent a minor improvement for bicyclists, but they are planned for only a few limited areas.

Affordable Electric Vehicles
Local climate activists Wendy Ring and Brian Curtis discuss the options.

Get the Latest from the Bike Commuters
You’ll always learn something by reading the Humboldt Bay Bicycle Commuters Association newsletter!

Support Wildlife Crossings
Our friends at EPIC remind us that big highways aren’t just dangerous to humans.

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The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.

The Collector

July 9, 2021

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Bay to Zoo Trail Environmental Documents to Be Reviewed Monday
The Eureka Planning Commission will weigh in at its monthly meeting. As noted in our comment letter, CRTP strongly supports 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.

Innovative Proposals Coming for Housing on Parking Lots
A new Wiyot-led land trust wants to build elder and family housing on some of Eureka’s city-owned lots.

Arcata Wants Input on Infill Plans
Take their survey and show your support for dense, walkable infill development! En español aquí.

Final McKinleyville Transit Study Report Available
Next step: implementing transit improvements!

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Keep Reporting Those Hazards, Crashes and Near Misses
Higher numbers of reports mean these data get taken more seriously by decision-makers. Local residents have reported 766 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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State Allocates Initial $16.5 Million for Great Redwood Trail
The funding will go primarily toward creating a master plan for the trail.

Pandemic Exacerbates Traffic Safety Inequities for Black Americans
Amid soaring traffic fatality rates in 2020, Black Americans experienced a disproportionate impact.

$10 Million in State Budget for E-Bike Incentives
It may get more affordable to buy an e-bike in California in the coming years!

Want More Transit Riders? Try Better Services & Cheaper Fares!
The San Francisco Bay Ferry is making a bet that it can attract riders with new investments in service, rather than cut-backs.

Transportation-Related Bills Watered Down by Amendments
Sunset provisions were added to the bike safety-stop bill (2028) and the jaywalking decriminalization bill (2029), which means more legislative battles in the future if the bills are signed into law. Meanwhile, the bill eliminating minimum parking requirements for housing near transit was amended to make it apply only to large urban cities and counties – dashing our hopes for state-level reforms that would apply to the North Coast.

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The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.

The Collector

June 25, 2021

Editor’s Note: The Collector will be taking a summer break next week. But never fear, it will be back in your inbox soon!

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Eureka Working on Economic Development Plan
We hope city leaders remember that walkability, bikeability, and good public transit are all key contributors to local economic vitality.

Trinidad Seeking Input on Local Road Safety Plan
Be like Bigfoot and mark your concerns and suggestions on the interactive map.

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Keep Reporting Those Hazards, Crashes and Near Misses
Higher numbers of reports mean these data get taken more seriously by decision-makers. Local residents have reported 766 reports (and counting) on Street Story. La versión en español está disponible aquí. 

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Light Sentence in McKinleyville Vehicular Manslaughter Case
We’re not in favor of harsh penalties for their own sake, but we think it’s telling how leniently the courts treat people who kill other people with their cars. As the prosecutor said, “We do have a duty to pedestrians to be driving in a careful manner.” Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Clinton Deckert.

EV Chargers Coming to McKinleyville Airport
Supervisors approved an agreement with the Redwood Coast Energy Authority this week.

High Tides Give Another Preview of Sea Level Rise
Several roads around Humboldt Bay are at risk of flooding.

Could Dining in Parking Spaces Be Here to Stay?
Some of the pandemic-related conversions of outdoor space may become permanent. As Eureka Public Works Director Brian Gerving says, “there isn’t really much of a parking problem” around here. So why not put those areas to a more productive use?

Increased Focus on Mobile Vaccination Clinics
The need for mobile clinics highlights the importance of physical access to healthcare, which depends largely on land use patterns and transportation infrastructure.

Bike-Related Bills Moving Along in the Legislature
Check out CalBike’s handy summary.

No More Short Plane Trips in France
If it’s easy to get there by train, you won’t be able to hop on a plane. The new rule will save a LOT of greenhouse gas emissions.

Horrific Crash Injures Many People Riding Bikes in Arizona
The driver plowed into the victims with a big Ford pick-up truck. In a dark irony, the local Ford dealership was a sponsor of the road race where the tragedy occurred.

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The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.

The Collector

June 18, 2021

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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?

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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. 

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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.

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The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.

The Collector

June 11, 2021

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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).

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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. 

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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.

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The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.

The Collector

June 4, 2021

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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.

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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!

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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.

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The Collector is CRTP’s weekly transportation news roundup, published every Friday. We focus on North Coast news, but we also include relevant state, national and international transportation news – plus other items that we just find kind of interesting! To submit items for consideration, email colin@transportationpriorities.org.