Green Wheels blogs

Trick or Treat with Arcata Main Street

Emily Sinkhorn — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:45:30 -0600

This Halloween, Green Wheels participated in the Arcata Main Street trick or treat event around the Plaza. We handed out healthy and fun snacks to trick or treaters and decked out our "monster bikes" for a ride around town. Check out the fun pictures!

How they do it in Copenhagen

Chris Rall — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:55:15 -0500

I have found out that PSU's Center for Transportation Studies up here in Portland has a seminar series.

Here's a link to a presentation by Copenhagen bicycle planner Niels Jensen.

Their goal is 50% mode share by bike, and to get there, their main carrot is infrastructure including cycle tracks, but their bicycle plan includes sticks of parking pricing.

Physical Activity is More Fun

Chris Rall — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:05:32 -0500

It's easy to forget that this is a big part of the reason why a lot of us ride bikes for transportation.

The Fall Community Wheel!

Chris Rall — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:52:19 -0500

This week, the fall issue of the Community Wheel magazine will be in the North Coast Journal, and elsewhere around town. It is already available online. The theme is “Back to School, Free Range Kids.” Thanks to all the volunteers, interns, advertisers and members who make this publication possible, so we can educate Humboldt County on opportunities for healthy transportation.

Join us Thursday, Oct. 8, for the release party at Gallagher's in Eureka with Boot Stompin’ music by The Muckrakers. Details are here.

Remember, you can be a part of the Community Wheel by contributing articles or photos, helping with editing, advertising, or by supporting us financially. Join online, send in the membership form on the back of the ‘Wheel, or contact us to volunteer or advertise.

Traffic Enforcement for Bicyclist Safety

Ashley Hanson — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 04:11:56 -0500

Traffic Enforcement for Bicyclist Safety from Chicago Bicycle Program on Vimeo.

Many motorists don't know how to share the road with cyclists, maybe drivers education classes should include videos like this one. Nice work Chicago PD.

Caltrans Leaning Toward Mount Indianola?

Chris Rall — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:23:55 -0500

The agenda for Humboldt County Association of Governement's (HCAOG) Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) indicates that Caltrans has chosen Alternative 3A as its preferred alternative for the 101 Eureka Arcata Corridor Improvement Project.

Item 4 says:

EUREKA-ARCATA U.S. 101 CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT PROGRESS/EXPENSE REPORT (Encl)

Background: Caltrans Project Manager, Kim Floyd will provide the Committee with an update on the Progress Report for the Eureka-Arcata U.S. 101 Corridor project which outlines expenditures, actions, milestones, and Alternative 3A as Caltrans preferred alternative.

One of the modified alternatives, Alternative 3A includes a ~$15 million compact diamond interchange at Indianola Cutoff, and a half signal at Airport Road making preventing vehicles from returning to Eureka from Jacobs Avenue without first proceeding north to Indianola Cutoff before turning around. This option costs twice as much "STIP" dollars as Alternative 1A, leaving less money for road improvements in our communities.

It remains to be seen if any mitigations for non-motorized users will be included to make up for the loss of connectivity when median crossings are closed at Bayside Cutoff, Bracut, Mid-City Motorworld and Airport Road for those wishing to return to Eureka.

Project manager Kim Floyd stated in an email that the Final EIR for the project will be completed next summer.

Bike Collision Survivor Checks In

Chris Rall — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:31:25 -0500

Hello,

I saw your post about my accident on your blog. I was the cyclist, hit on a shoulder by a swerving old, ununisured driver who appears to have been medically unfit to drive (he was on chemo).

Because of the speed of the collision (65 mph and the rate that I was cycling ~30mph) I was thrown > 220 feet. However, I somehow missed all the rocks and trees and luckily managed to hit only berry bushes (I was completely full of thorns). I suffered massive bruising over my entire body and a fracture (stable) to my C7 vertebrae (severe whiplash). It hurt a lot, but I was extremely lucky not to hit anything massive, and will survive and probably cycle again. My neck should heal without surgery, although it will be somewhat weaker for the rest of my life. While I am angry about what happened to me, I am mostly grateful that I am alive and that my injuries were not worse.

I grew up in Trinidad and attended McKinleyville High, and was there in August visiting my parents. A few years ago I moved to England, where I do have to say that the drivers are much more cautious, in part because of the rigorous standards to drive (difficult testing and your car is checked every year to verify that it is safe) and in part because the roads are more narrow. You would think that the latter would make is more dangerous, but I have noticed that Americans tend to take the "safety" of wide roads for granted, often not paying attention for seconds at a time to mess with cell phones, drinks, makeup, etc. as they swerve all over the wide roads endangering everyone around. UK drivers know that if you do that you risk killing yourself or someone else and will be help liable.

The USA may be moving in this direction, as Utah and Alaska have just passed laws that will put drivers who kill people when driving while texting in prison for up to 15 years. It's ironic that in California a non-violent person can be sent to prison for life for stealing a $2.50 pair of socks or a $0.75 can of soda (just to cite two examples of the many trivial offenses of the 3-strikes law), costing California taxpayers $50k per year for 50+ years. However, a driver can swerve all over California roads while driving (the #1 killer of Americans under 50) without any real responsibility for those killed or the massive financial damage that caused -- just really a slap on the wrist considering the real dangers posed to society.

I would be happy for this letter to be posted on your blog ... so the readers know that I am OK and what happened.

Best regards,

Rolf

Support Safe Routes to School

Chris Rall — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:37:50 -0500

Join the Safe Routes to School "Dear Congress" campaign and help spread the word
Deadline: September 24, 2009

Dear Safe Routes to School supporters:

Today, we are launching our "Dear Congress: Why Safe Routes to School is Important" campaign. We need your help.

Alan Bear receives maximum sentence

Chris Rall — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:31:42 -0500

Alan Bear pleaded guilty to misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter today, and received the maximum sentence of 1 year in jail and 3 years probation in addition to roughly $5000 in fines.

Five letters had been submitted in advance of the sentencing. Several members of Greg's family spoke about the loss of their loved one, and the facts in the case. The testimony from Lisa Hoover, Greg's widow, was particularly poignant. "He was just riding his bike home as he always did. He didn't make it home," she said several times, and described the depth of her loss and the lack of remorse on the part of Mr. Bear.

About 25 to 30 attendees were family and friends of Ms. Hoover, or members of the bicycling community.

Mr. Bear apologized for the first time for his part in the collision that took place over one year ago, and repeatd the same story of replacing a drink in the cupholder distracting him, and trying to swerve right around Greg because there was a vehical to his left.

Bear also stated that he didn't think bicycles belonged on the freeway. In her response to the accused's statement, the people's attorney highlighted Bear's placing blame on the victim for doing something that is perfectly legal.

The judge remarked concern over Bear's lying at the scene of the collision as "problematic" before he assigned the maximum sentence. However, the court has no jurisdiction over driver's license suspension. That responsibility rests with the DMV. The court will revisit the issue in October once they receive information from the DMV on administrative decisions with regard Bear's driving privileges.

Thanks to those who were able to write letters to the judge and attend hearings, and to the deputy DA on the case (The last in a long line. I didn't get her name) for calling Bear on his statement regarding cyclists rights to use the freeway. It's disappointing that this case couldn't be pursued as felony manslaughter with gross negligence, but the final result and maximum sentence with the lesser charge certainly provide some modicum of justice and closure for Greg's family and for the wider bicycling community.

Addendum: Here is an email from Rick Knapp of the humboldt Bay Bicycle Commuters Association, who has done and excellent job closely following the case to support a just conclusion:

While many of you were there today, some of you weren't, so here in a nutshell is what happened:

Bear pleaded guilty to all charges. The judge allowed only family and eye witnesses to testify regarding sentencing. Some powerful words were spoken by Lisa Hoover (Spouse); Jim Jennings (Father); Terry Bissell (Step Mother); Becky Perry (Eye Witness); and Rick Knapp (reading a letter from Greg's brother, Packard). The Judge also acknowledged the many letters he had received (probably about 20 in total).

Bear responded, did his best to drum up some tears, tried to show remorse, then drove in the final nail for us by blaming the victim for being on a freeway with a bike in the first place.

Judge Watson then levied about the harshest penalties he could for a misdemeanor manslaughter charge--ONE YEAR JAIL TIME, FOLLOWED BY THREE YEARS PROBATION. In addition he levied about $5,000 in fines. He will also be losing his driving license for some unspecified time for these charges and the fact that he was recently stopped for driving with a suspended license and no proof of insurance.

So, in the end, even though we believed he should have been charged with a felony (with gross negligence), we got the best sentence we could hope for given the reduced charges. Our efforts were aided by the newly assigned Deputy D. A., Elan Firpo. She is the first person from the D. A.'s office who has stepped up to the plate to push for justice in this case. Others, including Paul Gallegos did little except to prolong the agony. Gallegos had never pursued the maximum sentence, the one year jail time. He gave us little hope for any jail time, had even attempted an earlier plea bargain for a felony with NO JAIL TIME.

There were nearly 30 people in attendance supporting the family and justice today. We were all happy to go away with a little good news this one time.

Thanks for all the help from all of you along the way.

Sincerely,

Rick Knapp

Addendum II: Here's the Time-Standard Coverage.

Cyclist Sruck and Injured on Safety Corridor

Chris Rall — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:51:30 -0500

The Times-Standard reports that a bicyclist was struck and injured on 101 southbound near Jacobs Avenue last Friday:

"Eureka resident Theodore Cooper, 66, was driving southbound near Jacobs Avenue at 50 mph when his 2002 Volkswagen drifted to the right, crossing over the white edge line, according to a California Highway Patrol press release. Cooper's vehicle collided with Colleen Murrish, 54, who was riding her bicycle on the shoulder.

Murrish was ejected from the bicycle and was not wearing a helmet. She received moderate injuries and was sent to St. Joseph Hospital."

Luckily Colleen was only injured. Despite this collision, 101 is still the safest route for bicyclists between Arcata and Eureka because it has a fairly consistent 8 foot shoulder. Hopefully this incident will spur decisionmakers forward to improve conditions for non-motorized users, like trail development.

Best wishes to Colleen for a speedy recovery. Good luck to CHP in investigating and dealing properly with what happened.

Also, wear your helmet, folks. It reduces the risk of brain injuries, which are extremely uncool.