Mobility Video Friday

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The Motion Monthly

This is the second installment of – The Motion Monthly.  Fun or informative links of stories we did not share during the month.  Browse to find some links that interest you!

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The Federal Highway Administration has added a new page to their website for connecting health, and active transportation.

The SF Municipal Transportation Agency has mapped out a course that could make San Francisco the most bike friendly city in the nation.

Pasadena unveils bicycle Blvd. (video news clip included)

Portland “move by bike” makes CNN

People who bike or walk to work enjoy commuting the most.

Less automobiles are on our streets, and no one knows why.

2013 is set up to be a banner year for walking

As bicycle-pedestrian crashes increase in Tokyo, the government has announced criminal charges will be pressed against cyclists who repeatedly ignore red lights

Gas prices begin their seasonal slide upward

Transit agencies using Pinterest

Incredible artwork in transit stations around the world – see the slide show

Barack Obama’s new chief of staff — a dedicated bike commuter –  won’t be allowed to bike to work anymore because of security concerns

San Francisco taxi cab drivers during licensing process must learn, and be tested on sharing road with bicycles(audio included)

East Bay advocates partner with Alameda police to educate ticketed cyclists

Ten year old in Newport Beach, CA starts his own recycling business by bicycle

Golden Gate bridge switching to all electronic tolling

New requirement in Sept 2014 that all new cars will have a black box.  Will this bring privacy issues?

Making biking irresistible 

New whale species unearthed in California during a highway widening project

Subsidized bike racks for Boulder, CO businesses

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Discussion Forum of the Rail/Trail on Humboldt Bay – 2/27/13 -HSU

Article coming next week on power point comments of each speaker.  Possibly audio of full discussion as well, stay tuned.  Be sure to sign up on top right of page for email notification of new article posts!  Lots more to come here, so keep in touch.  What are you waiting for? – join us on Twitter.

2/19/13 Arcata Transportation Safety Committee Meeting Highlights

I often try to attend these meetings, and find them very informative.  This meeting had some very exciting news, and thought it would be good share.

1.  Attending meeting was advocates from bayside who are pushing for a radar feedback sign on Old Arcata road.  It was nice to see the city was very receptive to the advocates, and supportive.  The impression I got was the public works was hopeful for budgeting this for the next fiscal year.  A suggestion public works, and the police department representatives also made to the bayside advocates, attend the upcoming city study sessions.  This time could be used to try to influence how council directs budget spending.  Currently Arcata has no primary traffic officer as it is not in the current budget.  I would hope next fiscal year this could be included as I feel we really need an officer to staff this position.  If you are not able to attend this meeting, and would like to submit comments electronically do so by 2/26 – by 8am(for the first session).

While still on the subject of radar feedback signs, speaking of Buttermilk Lane now.  I spoke with Morgan Kessler(deputy director of public works) after the meeting about this location.  Two signs were originally scheduled for installation on Buttermilk some time ago.  Apparently some difficulties with the mounting system, and so the signs could not be installed.  The city has a local person who is fabricating a new mounting  system, and it has just taken longer then expected.  Buttermilk residents should know that the radar feedback signs are still coming!

2.  Other exciting news brought up at this meeting was green paint!  That’s right the magic green paint being used around the country for bicycle infrastructure.

photo credit – bike nopa

Morgan Kessler stated that he found street bond 150 as a product that they could buy. Other options hiring contractors were far too expensive, and so the street bond 150 option would allow the city much more control.  The city would need to buy a special spray gun, and a compressor.  So this is something else that could be reinforced during the upcoming city study sessions.  Morgan estimates 5,000-6,000 dollars for the equipment.  Public works seem very interested in using the paint in Arcata!

3.  8th and I Street residents are apparently pushing hard for stop signs at this

8th and I Streets.  Looking up I St. – Arcata

intersection.  This is the intersection right by the food co-op, and the new retirement building.  It does not seem like a stop sign would be warranted for this intersection, but a lot of public pressure to install these signs does exist.  The Transportation safety committee members all supported the idea of installing the signs at this point – more to come.

4.  Arcata receives grant from Humboldt Area Foundation, and the city has the check!  This grant was for just over 1360.00 dollars, and will help with bicycle parking at special events.  The money will include 3 canopy tents for coverage of bicycles while parked, and 3 A frame racks.  The money will also allow to have the tents stenciled with the city logo.  The equipment could be used at special events such as the farmers market, north country fair, and many more events!  Thanks so much to Anna Schwarzbach for writing, and submitting this grant application!  You did an awesome job Anna, and we all really appreciate it.

So good times at this transportation safety committee meeting, and the public is always welcome to attend.

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Upcoming Hikshari Trail Celebration Event and a Eureka Coastal Trail (typo correction)

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2/18/13 : I wrote an article entitled – Humboldt Trails Council, and Future Eureka Waterfront trails project.  Under Miles Slattery comments I wrote a typo of 10th street instead of Tydd street.

I deeply apologize for this mistake, and thank RCAA for bringing this correction to my attention.

• The city wants to continue a connection across the Highway 101, and over to 10th St Tydd street(near intersection of Myrtle, West, and V streets).  This will allow Myrtletown to have easy access to the coastal trail.
• Every section of the trail has funding except for Halverson to 10th St Tydd street.

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Mobility Video Friday

A video directed, and produced by Arcata Highschool students.  Video includes a little history about Annie and Mary rail line.  Thanks to the Arcata Chamber of Commerce for adding this video online.  This line is still in the works to become a trail for our community.  Green Wheels will share with our readers once we have updates from our people on how the project is moving forward.

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Arcata Chamber of Commerce installs bicycle parking racks

I’m happy to announce to all our readers, the Arcata Chamber of Commerce now has bicycle parking racks!  This is a great step for the chamber to take, and we applaud them for taking a step to become more bicycle friendly.

Bob Ornelas of Green Wheels donated his time to install the racks, and Revolution Bicycles shop in Arcata gave a loaner bicycle to Bob.  We would like to thank Revolution for the help so we could get the bike racks aligned properly during the installation process.

Bob Ornelas installing bicycle rack at Arcata Chamber of Commerce.

In many cases Green Wheels would not recommend these type of bicycle racks.  In this situation however the rack style does seem to work just fine.  The racks are right by the front door, typically this will be more short-term parking, and the area is private with a large wall facing the main road.  So we can certainly give this project a Green Wheels thumbs up!

This project installation being donated by Green Wheels is our way of saying thanks to the chamber.  The chamber provided the racks, and Green Wheels got the job done!  We are very proud  members of the Arcata Chamber of Commerce, and happy we could help out in this regard.

bicycle on rack, with front door just across the way.

At Green Wheels we like to think of the commerce as leading by example.  Since Arcata is at the forefront of bicycle infrastructure in Humboldt County, this sends a clear message that the chamber would like more visitors by bicycle.  We are really happy that they have embraced these ideas.

Arcata Chamber of Commerce front doors.

Greens Wheels is a leading organization in Humboldt County that promotes alternative transportation, and complete streets ideas.  We offer many elements of how we engage with our community, and give back.  It feels nice, one non-profit helping another non-profit, and this is one of the joys of living in this community.  One example if your agency, business, or property of any sort ever needs help with bicycle parking – Green Wheels would be happy to assist you.  We can offer you advice on parking rack options, placement, and offer you ideas on other amenities that will make your place more bicycle friendly.  Feel free to contact us for more details – info{at}green-wheels.org

Have you ever visited the Arcata Chamber of Commerce?  If not you should certainly check them out, and enjoy a bicycle ride over if you dare.  Though don’t fret they have plenty of spots to park your car as well!  Inside they have a wonderful assortment of local goods on hand, and you’ll be astonished at the great variety.  They have very welcoming staff to assist you with your questions.  Have a question about Arcata, or Humboldt County in general?  The Arcata Chamber has the answer for you so you can maximize your local adventures.  They would love for you to stop by, and say hello.   The chamber is a non-profit organization operating to enhance and improve the business environment in Arcata and the Humboldt Bay area.  So this is a great non-profit to support, and to get to know if you have not already.  To find out more about them be sure to visit online at www.arcatachamber.com  Of course they are super cool with an active Facebook page as well, and this is also a great place to engage with them.

All of us at Green Wheels feel that Humboldt County as a whole has a huge potential to improve bicycle tourism.  This can offer many economic benefits to our rural area, and we all should welcome it.  As well as learn how we can join that into our ecosystem here as businesses, agencies, and neighborhoods.  Green Wheels is happy to share these ideas, and hope in the future the Arcata Chamber of Commerce will bridge us to help spread the word.  This is a great time to give our readers a small glimpse about why bicycle tourism would benefit our area.

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fine print – join Green Wheels on our Facebook group, or our brand new Twitter account!  How will we interact on twitter?  See this post, and don’t be shy to join us. Our community getting involved with us is what makes Green Wheels successful!  We returned to our green-wheels.org domain, please visit us at that site for now on.  Green Wheels appreciates everyone for being with us!

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Humboldt Trails Council and Future Eureka Waterfront Trail Projects

2/23/13 update : under Miles Slattery comments, I had written a typo of 1oth St instead of Tydd St.  I deeply apologize for this typo, and it’s been corrected.  Thank you to RCAA for bringing this to my attention.

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On February 9th, 2013 I did a ride along, with Humboldt Trails Council’s – Second Ships to Shores benefit ride.  This particular ride featured speakers that would explain future developments of the Eureka waterfront trails projects.   The included speakers were Miles Slattery whom is deputy director of Eureka public works, and Merrit Perry HTC board member.

Kevin Wright speaking to group before leaving the Gazebo in Eureka.

Here comes the gang heading north through Old Town.

One way to find out about these types of events is by visiting HTC on Facebook.  Folks started to show up for this event around 2pm, and the tour began just before 2:30.  To give a little background years ago Eureka created a trails committee that envisioned a 6.5 mile waterfront trail – spanning from southern Eureka up to the Target store area.  As many of you know recently the Hikshari Elk River access trail was just completed on the southern end.

The Hikshari Trail ends at Pound road to the south, and Truesdale road to the north. This includes a total of 1.5 miles of constructed multi user paved trail.  This project received funding from PG+E, California River Parkways, and Coastal Conservancy.

The HTC second ships to shore ride covered what was left in the remaining segments of the coastal trail.  Our first stop on the bicycle tour was 1st and C streets, and Miles Slattery discussed the overall project.  Below I have listed the power points of his presentation of what was left to complete this project in full.

• Next section of trail connecting with Truelsdale would be Palco marsh, and Del Norte.  Currently 1.2 million dollars is ready for this project area – with most of money set aside for construction, and some for planning.  Much of the environmental work has already been completed for this project area.  So the 1.2 million dollars can be used to complete the plans, and construct trail.
• To continue into the next project area would be Del Norte to C street.  75% of the plans for this segment have already been completed, including the environmental work.  The boardwalk begins at C street so this section above will tie into the current south end of boardwalk.
• Miles went on to say “city of Eureka just received a 90,000 dollars for the waterfront drive extension”.  This is the next section that should begin construction, and CEQA is completed.
  

  north end of current boardwalk, and location of G and R metals

• North end of boardwalk ends at G and R metals.  G and R metals site was just cleaned up, and city needs to negotiate purchasing  this property.  The city envisions this property to have trail, parking lot, and a park area.  This would connect boardwalk down to Adorni center.
• The city has funding set for the Waterfront connection, which is H street to Adorni center.
• The last part of the trail would be Halverson park to behind the Target store.  This last section has city council approval for 100,000 dollars to get design, and environmental work completed.
• The city wants to continue a connection across the Highway 101, and over to 10th St Tydd street(near intersection of Myrtle, West, and V streets).  This will allow Myrtletown to have easy access to the coastal trail.
• Every section of the trail has funding except for Halverson to 10th St Tydd street.
• It’s anticipated more trail construction will continue in summer of 2014.

Jen riding with her dog! Green Wheels thumbs up!

The second, and last stop on the future trail tour was behind the Target store.  This time Merritt Perry spoke mostly of how the rail line north of the city could tie in with the Waterfront trail.  Below you can read some of Merritt’s power points in his presentation.

• RCAA helped tremendously with Waterfront trail funding, and conceptual plans.
• a lot of momentum came up recently from the Bay trail advocates.
• determined railbanking was not allowed with NCRA – rail with trail policy only.
• Merritt(through his employer, Winzler and Kelly) did work recently for Humboldt County, to see how rail with trail would tie in with the Arcata project areas.
• So the most important rail line to look at first will be Eureka, X street to Bracut.  As this will be a highly used commuter path for many users, and more Bay side access.
• Initial cost estimate from X street to Bracut was 8 million.

The challenge agencies are looking at now is how to best reduce the cost.  The NCRA is considering partial use of corridor for a certain set amount of time.  This will help reduce cost, and reduce the need to spend large amounts of money all at once.  This example would be helpful for the Eureka slough bridge allowing us to use the rail line rather than building an expensive structure to the side of the bridge.

Eureka slough bridge

During construction many agencies shall be involved.  An important element before construction begins is to find funding for maintenance, and operation costs.  Define what responsibilities, and roles for each agency.  Merritt wrapped  things up with stating how important this was to our economy, and vital this project was to offering other forms of transportation/recreation.  These trails will also help to build a more healthy community offering more opportunity for folks to get out, and be active with a larger trails network.

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In closing it seems as though we are slowly closing in on the works of a regional trail system along our coast.  Don’t forget the Annie and Mary trail is also slowly moving forward!  So we should all be excited, and take part however you can to help make these projects a success.  Don’t forget about the Hikshari trail grand opening event on 3/2/13!

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We are also excited to announce you can find us on Twitter. Please join us! Follow @GreenWheels707

Thanks to Humboldt Trails Council for letting me ride along!
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Green Wheels is now back on our original domain.  See this article for the updated info.

Green Wheels is now on Twitter!

Follow @GreenWheels707

What can you expect from us on Twitter?

1.  instant updates on exciting GW advisory board meeting approvals
2. sneak peeks at upcoming GW articles
3. informative, or fun links we won’t share in our other internet spaces
4. in the field updates on happenings, pictures, interviews, etc
5. important reminders

If you’re not with us on our Facebook group, then you can get notified of new GW articles on Twitter.  So now you can choose your poison, and join us either way!  For those already with us on Facebook, well Twitter will have content that you won’t find on Facebook.  Twitter shall offer a different platform style, and I think it should work for Green Wheels very well.  Of course we’re not leaving Facebook, and this social expansion just gives our readers more options to get information from us.  So do us a favor, and pass the word of this exciting news!

So c’mon over to join in on the fun with us at our Twitter page!

Follow @GreenWheels707

Want to reach out to Green Wheels?  info<at>green-wheels.org

Valentines Day Greeting

photo credit – boston.com

Observe Valentines Day how best comforts you
Preserve bicycles to encourage joy and peace
It’s deserved for each of you
No matter how you roll
Let the simply joys, allow each ones heart to smile

The Green Wheels Team