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Pedals and Produce: TCM Advocates for Safe Routes to Healthy Foods

Pedals and Produce: TCM Advocates for Safe Routes to Healthy Foods

By May 25, 2024July 4th, 2024The Capital Market of 20743

Pedals and Produce: TCM Advocates for Safe Routes to Healthy Foods

The Capital Market is dedicated to promoting healthy food access and safe transportation options in our communities. Being able to walk or bike to local farmers markets, grocery stores, or community gardens is a crucial component of this mission. Areas along Central Avenue in Capitol Heights/Seat Pleasant and in Suitland experience some of the highest levels of traffic stress for cyclists, highlighting the need for improved infrastructure to support safe cycling.
To address these challenges, The Capital Market hosts an annual “Bike and Roll” safety day, emphasizing the importance of and need for safe pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure. This year, our efforts extended to volunteering at two major community events: Bike to Work Day with the Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation, and the Washington Area Bicycle Association’s (WABA) first Prince George’s County Bike Summit.
Bike to Work Day: Rolling Towards Awareness
We kicked off our weekend at the Kettering/Perrywood Community Center for National Bike to Work Day, an event organized by Tiffany Williams-Jennings, Safe Routes Coordinator. This event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of cyclist safety as people commute to and from work. The atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm as cyclists of all ages joined us in advocating for safer routes and healthier communities. “Being able to bike safely to work and essential services is not just a convenience, it’s a necessity,” said Williams-Jennings, highlighting the critical need for better cycling infrastructure.

WABA’s Prince George’s County Bike Summit: Building Community Power

The weekend’s highlight was the inaugural Prince George’s County Bike Summit, hosted by WABA. The summit began with a welcome from WABA, followed by an inspiring keynote from Prince George’s County Council Chair Jolene Ivey. Chair Ivey has been a staunch ally in the fight for safer streets, and her keynote set a positive tone for the day. Ivey underscored the importance of continued advocacy and investment in helping make Prince George’s County County walkable and bikeable for all.

Brittney Drakeford and Kyle Reeder represented The Capital Market on a panel discussing “Expanding Safe Bicycling in Prince George’s County.” The discussion, moderated by Dan Reed, regional director with Greater Greater Washington, focused on bicycling equity and building community power. Reeder, “emphasized, that while, northern Prince George’s has seen significant investment; now it’s time for central and southern Prince George’s to receive similar attention.” The panelists shared personal stories and organizing experiences, highlighting the essential role of community power in advocating for equitable investments in cycling infrastructure.

For our team, this weekend demonstrates the critical connection between safe routes and healthy food access. Advocating for safe cycling and pedestrian infrastructure is a vital part of reconnecting our food systems and ensuring that all community members have access to fresh, healthy food.

As we continue to champion these causes, we encourage everyone to dust off those wheels, grab your crew, and join us in pedaling towards a healthier, more connected community. Let’s make safe, accessible routes a reality for all.

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