New Humboldt Bay Trail: Bike Etiquette and Advice

This summer, the new section of the Humboldt Bay Trail opened to the public, connecting Arcata and Eureka with 4 miles of accessible recreational space. Since its opening on June 28, community members can be seen using the multi-use trail. Funding for construction came from the California Transportation Commission (Active Transportation Program), State Coastal Conservancy, and Caltrans District 1, according to the Humboldt County website. 

Having this trail open to the public is valuable to the community, providing a space for walking, biking, rollerskating and other forms of transportation. Alaina Peet, a Cal Poly Humboldt biology transfer student, recently rode along the bay for the first time. Transferring from the Santa Cruz area, Peet felt more comfortable getting back into riding in a smaller town and the new trail opened a door to do so.

“I didn’t go all the way to Eureka cause it’s pretty far, but I went a good distance and it was really beautiful along the bay. You could see the highway here, and then there’s the trail, and on the other side, there’s the water, so it’s really beautiful seeing all the birds because you’re right on it,” Peet said.

Trail etiquette 

Andrew Spickerman, a lifelong biker and employee of Revolution Bicycles, believes in the importance of investing in bike infrastructure to build connections and improve a community’s quality of life. He suggested some advice for things to keep in mind while out on the trail. 

“For people who are riding normal pedal-powered bikes, non-electric bikes, just keep to the right,” Spickerman said. “Try not to pass people super close, ring your bell when you’re coming up behind joggers and people.”

For bikers, bells are encouraged in announcing their presence. 

“And now people have AirPods too, so a lot of times when you’re just yelling, it doesn’t get over the music, but if you have a bell sometimes that cuts through the music or whatever they’re listening to,” Spickerman said. 

As electric bikes continue growing in popularity, there are elements to consider when riding multi-use trails.  

“But now that we have all these electric bikes, there’s another layer to that where you kind of have to be conscious of your speed. You know, I have an e-bike and I’m really self-conscious about passing people, like I slow way down and pass at the slowest speed,” Spickerman said. “You know, not trying to blow people’s doors off as I’m going by.” 

E-bikes are permitted under the California Bicycle Omnibus Bill, which allows e-bikes on bike paths unless local governments have passed an ordinance restricting them in certain areas, as stated on the Humboldt County Association of Governments website. The Humboldt County Department of Public Works has no clear information regarding e-bike regulations on the Bay Trail. 

Spickerman also encourages people to remember why they’re out there in the first place.

“It’s all about, you know, everyone gets to share and enjoy and everyone’s out there trying to have a peaceful, pleasant time, and so to me that’s kinda the main thing,” Spickerman said. “Like you know, “why are you out there?”, well, other people are out there for the same reason.”