This is an exciting time to be alive for Eurekans who like to get around by bike or electric scooter or roller blade, or even just on their own two damn feet! To name just one big thing: The Eureka-Arcata Bay Trail’s grand opening date is very soon! 

But that is far from the only thing happening, and there are a couple of events this month that people of this persuasion might want to take note of.

THING #1:  Tomorrow at 5:30 p.m., the Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities will be conducting a “bike safety audit” of downtown Eureka to document conditions as of right now, in order to prepare for future amenities. They would love to see you there!

THING #2: Work is really starting to kick into gear on the Bay to Zoo Trail, which will eventually extend from the end of Eureka’s Waterfront Trail all the way out to the Zoo. This season of public outreach will kick off with a May 28 event at Zane Middle School. Imagine! Once they complete this and the county completes the McKay Tract trail network, the whole damn city of Eureka will just about be encircled with non-motorized trails. Dang!

Scroll down below for more detail about each of the above things.

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For tomorrow’s safety audit, Here’s a press release from the Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities:

Next Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from 5:30-6:30 pm, the Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities (CRTP) is conducting a bike safety audit of Eureka’s 4th and 5th Streets, part of the US-101 state highway corridor. Participants will meet at the corner of 4th and C Streets in Eureka, and no bike is required to participate.

Bike audits are an opportunity to experience and take note of the conditions for bicyclists in a particular neighborhood or location. Unfortunately, due to the dangerous conditions on 4th and 5th Streets, we will not be riding bikes during the audit. But while we already know 4th and 5th Streets are not safe for bicyclists, the bike audit will help document the exact hazards, and suggest solutions to improve safety.

Participants will walk or roll on the sidewalk while observing conditions for bicyclists, and will focus on observations of three intersections:

• 4th & C Streets, focusing on how bicyclists can connect with the future C Street Bike Boulevard
• 4th & H Streets, focusing on how bicyclists can connect to the new buffered bike lane on H Street from Old Town, Downtown, and the future EaRTH Center transit hub
• 5th & I Streets, focusing on how bicyclists using the new buffered bike lane on I Street can connect to Downtown, Old Town, and the EaRTH Center

The event is free, and all members of the public are invited to participate. No bike is required.

More information about CRTP is available at https://transportationpriorities.org.

May is Bike Month! Information about other local Bike Month events can be found at https://bikemonthhumboldt.org/.

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For more on the Bay to Zoo Trail Outreach meeting, scope this press release from the City of Eureka:

The City of Eureka will soon be advancing into the design and right of way phase for the Bay to Zoo Trail Project. To ensure clarity, consistency, and accessibility of information, the City is hosting a Public Outreach Event.

This event is just one of the ways the City plans to communicate and engage with the public throughout the project.

Public Outreach Event – Bay to Zoo Trail

When: Wednesday, May 28th 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Zane Middle School Library, 2155 S St. Eureka

What: Join City Staff, Councilmember Scott Bauer, and County Supervisor Natalie Arroyo for a presentation on the Bay to Zoo Trail Project. Following the presentation, a panel will answer questions received prior to the event. To submit a question, email BTZtrail@eurekaca.gov by 5/23.

Project staff will also be tabling at the Bike Month Celebration Fair Saturday, May 31st at the Jefferson Community Park, the Humboldt Bay Trail South Grand Opening Party Saturday, June 28th at Adorni Center, select Friday Night Markets, and more.

Visit https://www.eurekaca.gov/255/Trails to view the project website, for information on proposed alignment, facts, history, funding, FAQ and more. Updates will be shared with the public as they become available. If you have questions or would like more information, contact Project Manager, Brittany Powell at bpowell@eurekaca.gov or (707) 441-4127.