Trenton’s Greenwood Ave. Farmers Market Promotes Bike Education and Safety with Bike Fest

October 2, 2017 | Community News, Community News and Media, Trenton

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Bike safety, bike courses, and free helmets were all on the menu for local kids during the Greenwood Ave. Farmers Market Bike Fest on Monday, September 25, from 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm. Co-sponsored by the Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association (GMTMA), Bike Fest is an annual free community-wide event where kids learned bike safety tips and techniques, as well as demonstrated their bicycle handling skills on a four-station bike course. Last year, nearly 100 local children participated in the event.

According to a study conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, only 42% of children ages 5-17 wear helmets while riding a bicycle. “Learning about bike safety at a young age is important in reducing the overall injury rate,” said Marissa Davis, project director for New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-Trenton. “Bike riding is fun, but we want our children to be educated and practice safe riding habits.”

Complimentary helmet fittings, along with a limited number of free safety helmets were provided to children during the event. Each child had the opportunity to collect stamps in a passport as they completed the bike course to win prizes. Participants received free bike bells and lights and the chance to win a deluxe bike safety kit, all courtesy of Greater Mercer TMA.

“Greater Mercer TMA supports and celebrates the growing number of people in our area that have already discovered biking as a practical and fun way to travel, and to encourage others to try it. Throughout the year GMTMA offers information and safety tips for bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and returned this year to the Bike Fest event at Greenwood Ave. Farmers Market to distribute safety materials and equipment to participants,” says Cheryl Kastrenakes, executive director of Greater Mercer TMA.

In addition to free on-site bike inspections and repairs, residents entered to win a free bike from REI. The Boys and Girls Club Bike Exchange also had bikes for children and adults to purchase at reduced costs.

Additional sponsors for Bike Fest included the Trenton YMCA, New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-Trenton, GMTMA, NJ Safe Routes to School, the Boys and Girls Club Bike Exchange, and REI in Lawrence, NJ.

Located at 427 Greenwood Avenue, Trenton, NJ 08609 (behind the Trenton Transit Center), the Greenwood Ave. Farmers Market is open every Monday through October 23, 2017, from 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm (except holidays). Each week, the market features healthy and affordable food options and provides health screenings, live music, cooking demonstrations, and hot meals. Matching “Good Food Bucks” ($2 for every $1, up to a maximum of $20) are provided for residents using SNAP toward the purchase of fruits and vegetables. Individuals using SNAP, SFMNP, and WIC vouchers also receive a $1 match in “Greenwood Green” bucks for each dollar spent at the market.

 

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