This article appeared in the Times-Standard on December 17, 2007

by Ryan Burns

ARCATA -- Foreboding weather and a post-finals student exodus reduced their ranks significantly, but three die-hard volunteers for Green Wheels, a nonprofit group that advocates for clean transportation alternatives, took to Arcata's streets Sunday to finish compiling data on the state of the town's bicycle lanes.

”We're trying to help the city keep track of infrastructure, like the quality of the pavement,” said Kevin Wright, who led the bike lane inventory project.

After measuring the width of bike lanes and giving them grades in categories such as visibility, cleanliness and quality of pavement, Green Wheels plans to assemble their data into a formal report, which they will take before the city.

”There are a lot of areas that need improvement,” said Wright.

Green Wheels began in 2003 as “The Alternative Transportation Club” on the Humboldt State University campus, according to Green Wheels Outreach Director Aaron Antrim. Shortly thereafter they organized a “Car Free Day,” an event that encourages people to avoid driving for a day. In 2005 they changed their name to Green Wheels.

”And then, in 2007, a group of students graduated” said Antrim, “and the NEC (North Coast Environmental Center) said we could join.”

The group remains a club on the HSU campus and is now an affiliate of the NEC. Their funding comes from grants and from the support of the group's members.

”We're interested in balanced transportation,” said Antrim, “making sure people have choices in their mode of transportation.

”The last two sessions we had a lot more students,” he added, glancing up and down G Street in hopes of spotting some late-arrivals.

But with more than three quarters of the city's bike lanes already documented during those previous sessions, Executive Director Chris Rall said that, even with just the three of them, he expected this stage of the project to be completed Sunday.

”This is the first inventory we've done of the city,” said Rall.

By engaging in the general plan process and encouraging community members to speak in favor of environmentally responsible transportation alternatives, Green Wheels organizers hope to make the North Coast more friendly for walking, biking and mass transit.

”We're hoping to branch out and do more community-centered activities,” said Wright.

Last month, volunteers gathered to clear overgrown vegetation that was encroaching on Arcata's sidewalks. In a self-produced video documenting the event -- and available on the group's Web site -- Rall said that their goals were to keep the sidewalks walkable and to educate homeowners and business owners to take responsibility for the sections of walkway on their property.

The group is currently in the process of reviewing the preliminary hearing draft of the Humboldt County General Plan's circulation element, which will be discussed at a public hearing in the Eureka Board of Supervisors Chambers on Thursday. Green Wheels' Web site emphasizes the importance of the plan, saying, “The final document will direct transportation policy in the county for the next twenty years.”

Antrim said that Green Wheels' efforts to improve Arcata's bike lanes also will have wide-reaching implications.

”Bike lanes matter,” he said. “They affect how cyclists and motorists behave. In some areas, it's difficult to see there even are (bike) lanes,” he added.

And so, with scoring sheets in hand and helmets securely on their heads, the three volunteers mounted their bikes and pedaled off in separate directions, cars whizzing past just inches away.

To get more information about Green Wheels, or to become a member-supporter, visit their Web site/www.green-wheels.org