A First Look at This Year’s Unmet Transit Needs

Posted on April 5, 2019 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

April 5, 2019

Unmet Transit Needs Report Gets First Review
The Humboldt County Association of Governments’ Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) met yesterday and took on a slew of important topics. Arguably the most significant item was its review of the proposed annual Unmet Transit Needs report from the Social Services Transportation Advisory Council. The SSTAC found that there are two unmet transit needs which are “reasonable to meet” – meaning under state law they’ll have to be met. The first is an additional bus stop in southwest Eureka; the second is limited Saturday bus service to Blue Lake.

Planning Commission Continues Consideration of Zoning Changes
This week, the Humboldt County Planning Commission weighed proposed changes to the zoning code text related to timber lands and other rural and wild areas. On April 18th, they are scheduled to take on the proposed new mixed-use zones, which are meant to encourage pedestrian-oriented development in the centers of established communities.

Winter Road Repair Bill Adds Up
The cost of repairing this season’s road damage in Humboldt County is estimated at $20 million. Meanwhile, the Measure Z Citizen’s Advisory Committee has rejected the Public Works Department’s $3.5 million request for road repairs.

Coastal Commission Staff Not Impressed with Trinidad Casino Proposal
Among the objections raised is the unclear relation to the proposed new Highway 101 interchange which would serve the project.

CRTP to Lead McKinleyville-Arcata Practice Bike Commute
Rain or shine, join us on Saturday for a beautiful ride through the Arcata Bottoms!

Trails Summit Scheduled for May
The free public event in Arcata will feature information about local trail projects and comments from Senator Mike McGuire about the Great Redwood Trail.

Friends of the Eel River Leads Great Redwood Trail Hike
Some members of the public got to tour a remote stretch of railroad right-of-way in the Eel River Canyon that will someday host part of the Great Redwood Trail.

Harbor District Calls for Emergency Dredging
Another chapter in the never-ending Humboldt Bay dredging saga.

More Evidence that Death While Walking is On the Rise
The disturbing nationwide trend of increasing pedestrian fatalities shows no sign of abating.

Imagine a City Where Car Parking is Removed to Make Way for Bike Parking
That’s Amsterdam!

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.

Changes on the Way for Some Local Bus Services

Posted on March 29, 2019 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

March 29, 2019

Eureka Housing Workshop Planned
As we all know, the location and density of housing is one of the most important factors in determining transportation mode share. So there better be some transpo-nerds at this thing! Meanwhile, the County has more workshops planned for its General Plan Housing Element update, too.

Better Bus Service in Crescent City?
At its meeting next week, the Del Norte Local Transportation Commission will consider a resolution requesting state funds for revived Saturday service and a free bus pass program.

Bus Service Ending in Loleta Area
Meanwhile, the Humboldt Transit Authority Board heard this week that Tish Non-Village Transit, which has served the Loleta and Fernbridge area for the last three years, will be ending service soon. That’s because it has failed to meet a federal “fare box recovery” requirement, meaning not enough people are buying tickets or passes. HTA plans to adjust its Redwood Transit Service route to cover the area instead.

CRTP to Provide Bike Valet at Event
If you ride your bike to the 21st Annual Seed and Plant Exchange on Saturday, we’ll take it at the door and watch it for free.

Techno-Optimist Predicts End of Personal Car Ownership
Will cars just become too inconvenient for the average person in the face of easier, cheaper mobility options?

Congestion Pricing May Be Approved in New York
Perhaps appropriately, it would be the first US city to implement a charge for driving in the city center. Will San Francisco be next?

Germany Builds a “Bicycle Autobahn”
Great Redwood Trail, anyone?

Tackling the Climate Crisis in Humboldt

Posted on March 22, 2019 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

March 22, 2019

HCAOG Board Weighs in on Low-Carbon Transit Projects
The Humboldt County Association of Governments also adopted the final state-mandated housing plan for the region this week.

Richardson Grove Back in the Courtroom
As usual, the courtroom was filled with opponents of the Caltrans project. The judge seemed sympathetic to opponents’ arguments, although a ruling has not yet been issued.

Tackling the Climate Crisis in Humboldt
The County is soliciting public input as it develops a comprehensive Climate Action Plan. Meanwhile, local high school students hit the street this week to demand climate action. We know we don’t need to remind you that transportation is by far the biggest source of local greenhouse gas emissions.

Local Sea Level Rise Workshop Scheduled for Next Week
Lots of transportation infrastructure is at risk, particularly around Humboldt Bay.

Native American Pedestrians At Greatest Risk
A new study shows that a lack of adequate pedestrian infrastructure in and around tribal lands is one of the main reasons there is such a high death rate for Native people who are walking.

A Gender Disparity on Two Wheels
In most parts of the world, more men than women use bicycles for transportation. How can we change that?

Racist Autonomous Vehicles?
A new study finds that self-driving cars are less likely to identify (and thus avoid) pedestrians who have darker skin tones.

The Design Bible for Bike Infrastructure
A fascinating article about how an obscure design guide produced by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) helped push protected bike lanes into mainstream transportation planning practice. Meanwhile, the transit agency in San Francisco has voted for a new protected bike lane on one of the city’s major streets.

McKinleyville Asks: Which Comes First – the Zoning or the Community Plan?

Posted on March 15, 2019 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

March 15, 2019

County Zoning Decisions in the Spotlight
Confusion reigned at a special meeting of the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee this week for the County to gather input on proposed zoning text amendments to implement the new General Plan. Residents complained that they didn’t know how we’d gotten to this point, or how to make sense of the County’s idea to do community planning for the proposed town center this summer – after the zoning rules have already been finalized. Following a suggestion from CRTP’s own Colin Fiske, the Committee eventually voted to ask the County to change the zoning rules to allow future community planning to specify further standards which could supersede existing regulations. CRTP believes that good town center plans in McKinleyville and other local communities hold the key to a more walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly county. The County Planning Commission is scheduled to take up the zoning text changes next Thursday.

$40 Million Approved for Last Chance Grade Studies
The California Transportation Commission approved the request from Caltrans and local elected officials for substantial funding for environmental impact analysis and other preliminary studies.

Reader Points Out Broader Impacts of Richardson Grove Project
A North Coast Journal reader highlights the fact that this project, if constructed, won’t impact only the Grove – it will mean more large trucks throughout the region. CRTP’s own study of this issue is available here.

CRTP To Host McKinleyville-Arcata Practice Bike Commute
Come out and join us!

How Bike-Friendly is Arcata?
Inquiring minds from the League of American Bicyclists want to know.

Bill Would Phase Out Diesel Trucks
The proposal is in line with what science and official state policy say is necessary to cut greenhouse gas reductions within the time required. But trucking companies apparently think it’ll be harder to replace diesel than to deal with catastrophic climate change.

“There’s No Dodging Ubers Today”
Oh, the fun we can have with temporary street closures.

Quick Action to Improve Bike/Ped Safety Is Possible
This example from San Francisco shows that when officials are motivated, a major street makeover is possible in a short amount of time.

Tesla Joins the SUV Bandwagon
Better for the environment than a gas SUV? Definitely. Better for pedestrians? Not so much.

The Arcata Plaza: A Transportation Microcosm

Posted on March 8, 2019 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

March 8, 2019

The Arcata Plaza: A Transportation Microcosm
As the Plaza Improvement Task Force continues its work, CRTP wants to make the Plaza a safer space for people who aren’t in cars. Meanwhile, the comments of the police officer quoted in this article demonstrate vividly how bicyclists and pedestrians are currently blamed for being hit by cars around the Plaza – just like they are everywhere else. (And don’t even get us started about how a bicycle-pedestrian collision resulting in death – a virtually unheard-of event – is a subject of intense concern for the officer, while the numerous pedestrians killed by people driving cars in and around Arcata are never even mentioned.)

Thankfully there are no dangerous bicycles to be seen in this typical photo of the Arcata Plaza – only cars and pickup trucks.

The Village: Deja Vu All Over Again
At its umpteenth hearing on the proposed large residential project, the Arcata City Council essentially asked the developer for the same modifications they had already asked for and been told were impossible. CRTP Board Member Keenan Hilton spoke at the hearing in support of The Village as an important infill development which will lend itself to active transportation – although preferably with a reduced parking lot.

Richardson Grove Project Headed Back to Court
The next hearing will be on March 18th at the Humboldt County Courthouse.

Local Projects on State Transportation Commission Agenda
The CTC will consider an ADA upgrade project on Broadway in Eureka, modest pedestrian safety improvements at the south end of McKinleyville’s Central Ave, and a Class I bike path in Manila, along with extra money for the Highway 36 road-widening project near Alton. There are also staff reports on a number of local projects, including emergency storm damage repairs.

Humboldt County Measure Z Funds Requested
The biggest request is for road maintenance and repair. Not too surprising in the context of the recent damage resulting from just a few major storms.

The Eureka Transportation Safety Commission Will Meet!
After many months of limited agendas and canceled meetings, the city has a meeting scheduled next week with new members and new agenda items.

Caltrans Report Shows Backsliding on Pedestrian Safety, Vehicle Miles Traveled
The most recent data show pedestrian fatalities up and people driving more. If Caltrans can’t make progress toward decreasing both of these key indicators, our lives and the climate will be at increasing risk.

Bus Rapid Transit Moves Ahead in East Bay
It’s a bus! It’s a train! It’s bus rapid transit!

Depaving the Alleys
Can urban alleyways be repurposed as more natural social spaces?

Storms Highlight North Coast’s Transportation Vulnerability

Posted on March 1, 2019 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

March 1, 2019

Caltrans Talks About Eureka Projects
A jumble of overlapping projects and objectives aim to improve bike and pedestrian facilities, but also move traffic faster. Faster cars are more dangerous to people on bike and on foot, of course, but no irony has been noted in Caltrans’ presentations.

Tantalizing Hints of a Zoning Code to Come
The Humboldt Transit Authority Board got a sneak peak at the City of Eureka’s new zoning code, which is currently under development. Among the potential features of the new code relevant to transit: “development bonuses for including annual bus passes for new residential development [and] parking reductions for being within a set distance of a bus stop.”

Flooding, Slides Hit Local Roads
Many state highways and local roads were impacted by the week’s weather. Of particular note for bicyclists, flooding in the Arcata Bottoms blocked a popular bike-commuting route between McKinleyville and Arcata for several days.

Shoaling Wreaks Havoc on Local Maritime Transportation
On the North Coast, our roads have land slides, and our marine corridors have shoaling.

Clean Electricity Goal Inches Forward
On Thursday, the Board of the Redwood Coast Energy Authority directed staff to conduct public outreach and continue researching the goal of providing Humboldt County with 100% clean, renewable energy by 2025 (which had been recommended by the Authority’s Community Advisory Committee). As much of our transportation system looks set to transition to electric power, the sources of that electricity become more and more relevant to transportation advocates.

Nothing to Talk About
The Del Norte Local Transportation Commission’s regular March meeting was cancelled, as were the regular Technical Advisory Committee meetings for both DNLTC and HCAOG.

Can Block-Chain Technology Help Reducing Shipping Emissions?
Or at least hold shipping companies more accountable?

Is the Future Rural?
A new report from the Post Carbon Institute argues that “reruralization” will be necessary for a post-carbon society, in part because of the costs of long-distance transportation of food. But what about the transportation of people, which is much more impactful in rural areas and is already one of the primary factors driving greenhouse gas emissions higher?

California Fuel Economy Standards in Trump’s Crosshairs

Posted on February 22, 2019 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

February 22, 2019

Caltrans to Host Public Meeting on Eureka Projects
Next Thursday at 5:30 pm at the Wharfinger building, local Caltrans staff will tell the public about a number of projects currently planned or under way along Highway 101 in Eureka – including a proposal to continue the 4th-5th Street one-way couplet through the Balloon Track to a newly one-way Broadway and Koster couplet. It’s the latest in a long line of Caltrans ideas for moving traffic faster through Eureka.

Plaza Task Force Talks About How to Judge Changes
The City Council’s Plaza Improvement Task Force didn’t make a final decision at its meeting last night about which criteria it will use to assess proposed changes to the Plaza. But at CRTP’s suggestion, they did add another potential criterion to the list: considering the comfort and safety of the Plaza’s most vulnerable users, including people on foot, bicycle, and assisted mobility device.

HCAOG Board Takes on Annual Work Plan
Among the items in the plan for the Humboldt County Association of Governments are funding for development of local transit ridership projection software and an online bike map app.

Bike Lane Obstruction of the Week
A sign warning motorists about the presence of workers in the right-of-way blocks the bike lane and sends bicyclists into the car lanes. No workers were actually present at the time this picture was taken. Send your pictures of bike lane or sidewalk obstructions to colin@transportationpriorities.org.

Trump Administration Quits California Fuel Economy Talks
The state’s decades-old right to set stricter vehicle mileage standards than the federal government is under threat by the administration, which is trying to roll back federal standards as well. Transportation is already the nation’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, and growing. The global climate could hang in the balance.

The Green New Deal is Missing Something
There’s almost no mention of transportation and land use.

Mobility-on-Demand Meets Public Transit
A new type of company aims to be a sort of hybrid between traditional transit and modern app-based ride-hailing services. The jury’s still out on the long term impacts.

What Will It Take for Eureka to Cut Carbon Emissions?

Posted on February 15, 2019 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

February 15, 2019

McGuire Announces Plan for Great Redwood Trail Town Halls
The State Senator wants to conduct public outreach along the route of the proposed trail to receive local input on what the trail should look like in each community.

Eureka City Council Looking at Ways to Reduce Climate Impacts
Of course, transportation accounts for the bulk of local greenhouse gas emissions, so hopefully mode shift will be front and center in their planning.

$40 Million Requested for Last Chance Grade Study
Caltrans is teaming up with local elected officials to request the money for preparation of an Environmental Impact Report. The estimated cost of just studying the impacts is an indication of just how big this project will actually be.

Extreme Pedestrianism for a Cause
A mother starts a run across the country in memory of her son. If only all pedestrians got a police escort. (We wouldn’t even need sidewalks.)

Bike Lane Obstruction of the Week
At least if you hit this and flipped over your handlebars, you’d land on something soft. Send your pictures of bike lane or sidewalk obstructions to colin@transportationpriorities.org.

What Exactly Did Newsome Say About High-Speed Rail?
While many news outlets reported that the new governor is planning to limit the long-awaited rail line to just the Central Valley, StreetsBlog points out that what he actually said is that he’d prioritize finishing that portion while still pursuing funding for the rest of it.

San Francisco Studying Congestion Pricing
As one Supervisor put it, “Our tools for dealing with the proliferation of Uber and Lyft are limited. One of the tools we have left is congestion pricing.”

Electric Vehicle Boom Creating Lots of Jobs in California
Spurred by state regulations, investment in electric trucks, buses and passenger vehicles is growing fast.

The Story of Parking in Arcata

Posted on February 8, 2019 by Colin Fiske

The Collector

February 8, 2019

McGuire Named 2018 Responsible Transportation Champion for North Coast
CRTP is inaugurating an annual Responsible Transportation Champion award, and the first one has been given to State Senator Mike McGuire for his work to make the Great Redwood Trail a reality.

Arcata Council Keeps The Village Alive
Councilmembers voted unanimously to consider the revised plans for The Village housing project. (Readers will recall that they rejected the previous plan on a tied vote several months ago.) CRTP encouraged the Council to approve the project – but with less parking.

The Story of Parking in Arcata
CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske was interviewed by North Coast News TV about the parking situation in Arcata.

County Continues Public Outreach Zoning Blitz
One community meeting after another is planned this month as Humboldt County officials seek public comment on proposed zoning changes to implement the new General Plan. Among other things, CRTP is advocating for changes to make the new “mixed use” zones, meant for existing community center areas, denser and more pedestrian friendly.

Don’t Blame the Pedestrian
A letter from CRTP Board member Tom Wheeler highlights the problems with pedestrian safety on Highway 101 – and with how we think and talk about collisions that kill people who aren’t in a car.

Arcata Gets Input on Trail Proposal
Arcata officials asked for public input this week on a proposed stretch of trail which would someday run through Arcata, connecting the Humboldt Bay Trail with the Annie & Mary Trail to Blue Lake. One of the top recommendations of participants: give trail users the right-of-way at intersections.

Committee Considers Bike App, Transit Modeling, and VMT Training
The Humboldt County Association of Government’s Technical Advisory Committee met this week, and on the agenda was deciding how to spend a small budgetary surplus. Options included the development of a local bike map app, adapting modeling software to allow local agencies to better predict bus ridership, and training local decision makers on the state-mandated switch from congestion to vehicle miles traveled when assessing transportation impacts under the California Environmental Quality Act. They went with the bike app and the transit modeling.

The Disappearing Crosswalk to Nowhere
This week, we feature a combination of two common scenes on the North Coast: an unmaintained crosswalk, and one that ends in a spot with no pedestrian infrastructure. Send your pictures of bike lane or sidewalk obstructions to colin@transportationpriorities.org.

“This is the new face of climate change denialism”
The new multi-billion dollar highway tunnel in Seattle is meant to replace a damaged and ugly surface freeway. But why didn’t officials simply remove the freeway and not replace it, as many other cities have successfully done?

Are Uber and Lyft Eating Away at Bike Trips Along with Transit?
San Francisco is discovering that accomplishing mode shift is not as simple as “complete streets” that (sort of) accommodate everybody. We’re going to have to take steps to reign in driving – including driving by on-demand services like Uber and Lyft – if we want to see a real and permanent change.

McGuire Named 2018 Responsible Transportation Champion

Posted on February 8, 2019 by Colin Fiske

The Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities (CRTP) has named State Senator Mike McGuire the 2018 North Coast Responsible Transportation Champion for having the vision of a Great Redwood Trail and being the leading advocate for making the Trail a reality. McGuire is the inaugural recipient of the award, which will be given annually in the future.

“We have been honored to partner with the hard-working members of the Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities on the Great Redwood Trail,” said Senator McGuire. “The Coalition was one of the very first organizations to support the Trail, and I am grateful to work with them on creating this remarkable project here on the North Coast.”

The North Coast Responsible Transportation Champion award is given to a leader who furthers CRTP’s mission of “promoting transportation solutions that protect and support a healthy environment, healthy people, healthy communities and a healthy economy on the North Coast.”

“Senator McGuire really made the Great Redwood Trail a central focus of his 2018 legislative agenda,” said CRTP Executive Director Colin Fiske. “He coordinated with local stakeholders to write a great bill, and then he fought hard to get it through the legislature and signed into law. Senator McGuire truly deserves this award.”

Fiske continued: “Senator McGuire’s vision of the Great Redwood Trail checks all the boxes for CRTP and the Responsible Transportation Champion award. It will transform a failed rail line which has become an environmental liability into a low-impact corridor for zero-emission transportation. It will encourage healthy, outdoor, social activity for North Coast residents and connect people with jobs and other destinations in nearby communities. And it will be a premier destination for tourists whose spending will help our local economies thrive for decades to come.”