Happy Trails

Cliff and Emily talk with Kim Floyd and Mark Suchanek of Caltrans and Marcella Clem of HCAOG about the Bay Trail project, where we are now, and possibilities for the future. With the 101 Safety Corridor improvement project pending approval from the Coastal Commission, further partnership between Caltrans, HCAOG and the NCRA are becoming more of a real possibility. Further, the proposed Bay Trail may become a necessity in order for the corridor improvements to go forward. Caltrans is also working on improving bike safety on the existing corridor by narrowing the driving lanes, widening the shoulder to 10 feet and coloring it red. All this and more a discussed.

Cliff and Emily talk with Richard Marks of The Harbor District and the NCRA. Trails around the bay, the pulp mill decommissioning and the possibility of the NCRA, Caltrans and The Harbor District all working together for a Bay Trail.

Cliff and Emily talk with Stephen Avis, Associate Planner for the city of Fortuna. Plans for the Strongs Creek John Campbell Parkway Trail are discussed along with other long-term trail concepts for the city.

Cliff and Emily talk with Heath Maddox of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation agency. The city will begin a new pilot Bike Share Program beginning August 29th.

Cliff and Emily talk with Hank Seemann about progress on the Bay Trail Project. The Arcata section is on track to begin in a year with more funding possible from a tiger grant in October. The process on moving forward with the Eureka portion are discussed. Will the recent shake up at the NCRA effect the progress? That is also discussed.

Cliff talks with Jenny Weiss from RCAA and Joan Levy from County Public Health about Safe Routes to School and the Crossing Guard program along with CA4Helth and the upcoming National SR2S Conference in Sacramento.

Cliff and Emily talk about the latest opportunities and challenges for bike/ped funding and HCAOG's update of the Regional Transportation plan. We also look at the 2 latest ped/bike vs motorized vehicle incidents in Eureka.

Cliff and Emily talk with Don Allen of the Trinidad Coastal Land Trust about land trusts, what they are and how the help protect public access. Extension of the Hammond Trail north to Trinidad is also discussed. Next Emily detailed the Coastal Commission's staff recommendations about the 101 Safety Corridor, issues with the Indianola overpass and lack of pedestrian and bicycle safety in the Cal Trans proposal.

Cliff and Emily talk with Alex Stillman who was recently appointed to the NCRA board but soon after ran into challenges from conservative forces wishing her ouster. Last week she moved past the first challenge when the Eureka City Council pull the item from their agenda. Next the NCRA will meet in July to either confirm her appointment or set a revote. Stillman also talk about her thoughts on the current challenges facing the NCRA and Rail With Trail projects.

Cliff and Emily talk with Bob Ornelas, recently back from his trip to Spain and Italy. He discusses all the various non-motorized transportation options there and the relationship between motorists and pedestrians and cyclists. Also discussed is the situation of the possible ouster of Alex Stillman from the NCRA board, just weeks after being appointed to it. A lot of political pressure is being put on Eureka Mayor, Frank Jager for casting the deciding vote to get her appointed. The Eureka City Council meets tonight at 6pm. Alex Stillman will a guest on Happy Trails next week, after the city council meets and before the next meeting of the NCRA.

Cliff and Emily talk with Susan Driscoll, Director of Transportation at HCAR about the efforts to coordinate Humboldts transpiration questions under a 511 information number. Also and update on the new make up of the NCRA and what that means for trail efforts in Humboldt County.

Cliff and Emily talk wtih Chirs Honar about the new Community Bike Kitchen at Jefferson School in Eureka which just had its grand opening this past weekend. Personnel changes at the NCRA are also discussed. The resignation of Bill Kier, the appointment of Alex Stilman and the appointment of either Dan Hauser or Richard Marks to the NCRA by the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors is looked at.

Cliff and Emily talke with Melanie Williams of "Bikes There" and Melanie Bettenhausen, outreach director for the North Coast Co-Op. The concept of Bike Friendly Business Districts and their impact on the local economy. The City of Long Beach is cited and as a successful example and the Co-Op as a local case study.

Cliff and Emily talk with Shannon Tracey and Caelie Quinn about the upcoming 5th Annual Climate Ride. The ride goes from Fortuna to San Francisco, starts May 19th and concludes on May 23rd. About 160 riders of varying experience will make the trek to San Francisco in order raise funds and call attention to sustainable climate friendly transportation options. More info at climateride.org.

Cliff Berkowitz and Emily Sinkhorn talk with Charles Roecklein, Eureka City Engineer, Sheila Parrott, Eureka Traffic Engineer, Dan Moody, Eureka Traffic Operations, and Gary Whitmer, Eureka PD. After several recent fatal pedestrian vs motor vehicle accents and data showing the City of Eureka as one of the most dangerous cities for pedestrians and cyclist a discussion with city officials who deal with pedestrian safety was in order. Stats are discussed along with a variety of suggestions for changes in trafic flow including delaying the green light to allow pedestrians to cross with the walk signal.

Cliff and Emily talk with Hank Seeman of Humboldt County Public Works about the proposed McKay Tract Community Forest and the public workshop tonight at Winship Middle School from 6-8pm.

Cliff talks with Emily Sinkhorn live in Sacramento who is there to attend the Transportation Choices Summit. Emily also took a tour of area trails and potentially new funding sources for bike/ped projects here Humboldt County are also discussed.

Cliff and Emily talk with Rees Hughes and Dennis Rael of the Bay Trail Advocates about where things stand now with the Bay Trail. Progress with the NCRA at the November meeting is detailed, along with the pending funding challenges to getting this trail built. Various idea are floated. Ongoing tail stewart programs are also discussed and how that model will play a roll in the Bay Trail.

Cliff and Emily talk with Robert Johnson, Program Director of the RampArt Skatepark in Arcata about activities for BMX cyclists and skateboarders. Also discussed was progress on the Annie and Mary Rail Trail and tomorrow's meeting of the N.C.R.A. on that topic. Progress on Arcata's portion of the Bay Trail is talked about along with Baykeeper's efforts move the May San Rafael meeting of Caltrans with the Coastal Commission regarding the Safety Corridor to Eureka in the Fall.

Cliff and Emily talk with Alex Cousins, District Manager of the Trinity County Resources Conservation District about the extensive trail system in Weaverville and surrounding areas. Also Emily updates us on CalTrans plans for the 101 Safety Corridor and Baykeeper's request to move the metting to Humboldt County.