Join League Certified instructors Chris Rall and Melanie Williams for parking lot drills that will improve your bike-handling skills and confidence.  Bring a functional bike and a helmet.

Location: Boat launch under the Samoa Bridge, Eureka

Time: Wed, Sept. 23, 12:10

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Hello,

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.

League Certified instructor Preston Tyree's instruction on riding bike lanes next to parked cars:

If you want a taste of League of American Bicyclist instruction on techniques for riding more safely in traffic, come to the next lunchtime bikeworkshop on August 26 at the Community Wellness Center in Eureka.

From the Times-Standard:

Two Trinidad-area residents were injured early Sunday afternoon in a vehicle versus bicycle accident on U.S. Highway 101 between Westhaven and Trinidad, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Loading a Bike on the Bus
July 29, 12:10-12:50 pm
Community Wellness Center
908 7th Street, Eureka
Learn how to load your bike on the bus. Also, learn the bicycle safety ABC Quick
Check and how to adjust your helmet to fit properly.

Greg Jennings, a forest ecologist with the BLM, was riding as far to the right as possible on 299 last August and had almost arrived back to Blue Lake from his job in Arcata when he was struck and killed. There will be a preliminary hearing, June 10, 8:30 am for the motorist involved in the collision, Alan Bear, who is charged with vehicular manslaughter. This hearing is at the County Courthouse, Courtroom #8, and is open to the public, and some of us will attend to support Greg's wife and in hopes of seeing our safety as cyclists protected by the law.

This morning's hearing for Alan Bear's trial on felony vehicular manslaughter was continued to Thursday, June 18.  District Attorney Paul Gallegos apologized at having to request a continuance.  A last minute piece of evidence came up that had to be shared with the defense.  There is some concern that this may require the charges to be downgraded to misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.

Alan Bear struck down bicycle commuter Greg Jennings last August on a straight stretch of Route 299 just west of Blue Lake.

About fifteen familymembers friends and supporters of Greg's wife, Lisa Hoover, attended the hearing to support her and received a more detailed breifing about the situation from Mr. Gallegos afterward.

Addendum:  The Times-Standard is covering the case.  The article on yesterday's hearing is here.  Some of the posted comments are enlightening as well.

Greg Jennings, a forest ecologist with the BLM,  was riding as far to the right as possible on 299 last August and had almost arrived back to Blue Lake from his job in Arcata when he was struck and killed.  There will be a preliminary hearing, June 10, 8:30 am for the motorist involved in the collision, Alan Bear, who is charged with negligent vehicular manslaughter.  This hearing is open to the public, and some of us will attend in hopes of seeing our safety as cyclists protected by the law.