Active Transportation

Active transportation efforts aim to increase the number of trips accomplished by walking and cycling and increase safety and mobility for non-motorized users. Efforts include infrastructure improvements, educational programs and encouragement activities. Humboldt County is fortunate to have many community partners who are dedicated to this work.

Encouraging active modes of transportation improves public health. When more people walk and bike, communities experience safer streets, a stronger sense of community, reduced traffic demands, improved air quality and greater physical fitness. Both walking and cycling are great ways to be physically active and are linked to improved mental health.

Public Health provides training, support and technical assistance to schools and community partners. Highlights of what we do: 

  • Maintain a fleet of 15 youth bicycles that can be loaned to eligible schools and youth serving agencies to implement cycling programs. 
  • Provide technical assistance and support to incorporate cycling into the school day. 
  • Provide technical assistance and support to develop or update a Safe Routes to School/Active Transportation component of site policies or School Wellness Policies.
  • Support and coordination of Walk to School Day/Bike to School Day events. 
  • Support and coordination of Bike Month events, including community bike rodeos.
  • Assist with observation assessments to identify safety concerns and solutions around schools or specific sites.
  • Collect and analyze data to identify safety concerns and needs of schools or specific sites.

Safe Routes to School
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a movement that aims to increase the number and safety of students walking and bicycling to school. 

The Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) website serves as the clearinghouse for local Safe Routes to School information. It has information available about our local SRTS task force, toolkits, resources, data and maps. Check out HCAOG’s interactive bike map. 

Bike Month Humboldt
Public Health is an active member of the Bike Month Humboldt Coalition. Learn more about upcoming events and ways to get involved at BikeMonthHumboldt.org  

Street Story
Want to share information about your experience walking, cycling or driving at specific locations in our community? Check out Street Story. Street Story was developed and is maintained by the Safe Transportation Research and Education Center  at University of California, Berkeley and collects data including where near-miss collisions have taken place and where there is a perception of danger.