The Collector
May 22, 2020
The Village Will Not Be Built
It’s official: the controversial and long-delayed student housing project in Arcata is not going to happen.
Arcata Voters Will Be Asked to Raise Affordable Housing Cap
The California constitution requires local voter approval before any government-supported affordable housing can be built. (Because racism.) In Arcata, that has translated into a cap on affordable housing set back in 1992. So this fall, Arcata residents will be asked to increase the cap so more affordable housing can be built. (As of late last year, there was also a state ballot measure gaining steam in the legislature for the November 2020 ballot to repeal the constitutional provision, but there’s been no word about that lately.) This is a critical transportation issue, because a lack of affordable housing in Arcata has led to many people with local business – especially HSU students – living in Eureka, McKinleyville or more outlying areas and racking up more vehicle miles traveled as a result.
E-Bike Rebates All Reserved
The dedicated funding from Redwood Coast Energy Authority for e-bike rebates is already used up. But they are still taking names for a waiting list.
Redwood Transit System Back to Regular Fares
Humboldt Transit Authority has installed plexiglass barrier to protect bus drivers, so passengers can once again enter front doors and pay regular fares.
Rural Areas Have Lots of Carless Households
Contrary to popular opinion.
Drive-Thru Graduation
Will the pandemic attach people even more firmly to their cars for every kind of activity?
Two Big Rigs Crash in Same Spot in One Week
What’s going on here?
Weekly Street Story Update: Tell Your Story
If you’re experiencing problems on the street as a result of the pandemic – like not being able to stay 6 feet from other people on a narrow sidewalk – please reach out and let us know. And as always, if you see or experience a hazard, near-miss or collision, make your Street Story report here.
Berkeley Closes Full Streets for Restaurants
It’s part of a growing trend some are calling “streateries.”
Redesigning Street Space Isn’t Enough
A progressive urbanist says we need to center our coronavirus responses – and everything else we do as transportation advocates – in support for marginalized communities.
Teleworking May Not Reduce Emissions That Much After All
Many of us have been wondering if a lasting impact of the pandemic will be more teleworking, and thus perhaps lower greenhouse gas emissions. Not so fast, say some researchers.
Committee Passes Bike Parking Bill
AB 3153 would allow developers to replace car parking with secure bike parking, reducing the cost of housing and encouraging more people to bike instead of drive.
A Growing Coalition Wants to Ban Beg Buttons Permanently
The pandemic has added new urgency to efforts to remove infrastructure that already unfairly discriminated against pedestrians.
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.