Bronx Health REACH 2024 in Pictures

 

2024 marked the 25th anniversary of Bronx Health REACH and 25 years of our commitment to making health equity in the Bronx a reality. What has sustained, motivated and emboldened us to do this work over 25 years? The community. Bronx Health REACH is first and foremost, a community coalition.

We are thankful and appreciative of our partners, allies and staff who have been critical to this work and all that makes this possible. Many thanks to the following who have generously provided funding for our work:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Initiative

• CDC – COVID-19 and Flu Vaccine Initiative

• Health Resources and Services Administration - COVID-19 Bridge Funding

• New York State Department of Health's Creating Healthy Schools & Communities Initiative

• New York State Department of Health/National Association of Chronic Disease Directors - Building Resilient & Inclusive Communities

• New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services

• NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene 

• New York Health Foundation

• New York City Council (Immigrant Health)

• The NYC Civic Engagement Commission

• National Institutes of Health/NYC Community Engagement Alliance (NYCEAL) To End Covid-19 Disparities

• The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP)/Natl Institute of Food and Agriculture

• Silicon Valley Foundation

Bronx Health REACH 2024 Initiatives

Bible Church of Christ, Every Day is a Miracle, Manna of Life Ministries and Thorpe Family Residence Nazareth Housing implemented Healthy Pantry Initiative strategies to increase access to healthier foods. 

 

A series of Healthy Pantry Initiative Training videos were created to promote healthy food choices and cultural food preferences for our food pantry partners. Bronx Health REACH partnered with The CUNY Food Policy Institute to assess the quality of the foods in the three cafes at the Lehman College campus.

11 sites participated in the Health Bucks Best Practices Training and received Health Bucks (HB) coupons. They distributed 5,900 HB coupons with an average redemption rate of 83.14% and led 27 farmers’ market tours with 270 participants.

The Food as Medicine Produce Prescription Program, in collaboration with Corbin Hill Food Project, had 69 distributions with 53 participants picking up 2,346 shares, and hosted 28 food demonstrations.

9 bodegas will participate in selling healthy grab-and-go items as Bronx Health REACH received funding from the NY Health Foundation to pilot a healthy bodega initiative in partnership with the Bodega and Small Business Group, Collective Fare, and others.

 

The Good Food Purchasing Program (GFPP) Coalition worked to pass the Good Food NY Bill. Bronx Health REACH endorsed INT 641, a NYC Council bill requiring that at least two meals on restaurant children’s menus meet certain nutrition standards. Several Bronx Health REACH partners provided testimony during a NYC Council Health Committee meeting in December. 

BHR partnered with Morrisania WIC to host 8 monthly Lactation Discussion sessions with 71 individuals attending. NY Presbyterian, BronxCare, Lincoln Hospital, Albert Einstein, Jacobi, and Montefiore referred 50 individuals to the Baby Café. 27 breastfeeding moms, along with their families and children participated in a Mothers Breastfeeding Fashion show in June. 

Six doulas were trained and completed surveys on how to educate pregnant and breastfeeding women about vaccines.

BHR partnered with Bronx River Alliance advocating for safer entry to the Bronx River Greenway from  E Tremont/E 177th Street by collecting 263 signatures, exceeding their original goal of 125 signatures. The Bronx River Open House at Starlight Park kicked off their program season in April, bringing in over 1000 community members to Starlight Park.

Transportation Alternatives completed walk audits and made recommendations to the NYC Dept of Transportation for improvement of the Grand Concourse Phase 5. They include: improving bike lane markings, bollards for raised bike lanes, raised crosswalks and speed bumps. 

Equity Design, BronxWorks, Greater Faith Cathedral, Bible Christ Church, and Christian Bible Temple completed the Active Communities Tool Assessment, a walk audit, and held a number of town hall meeting to identify complete street redesign projects that will lead to more pedestrian-friendly routes and increased physical activity.

PS18 hosted 7 open streets programs and held their 2nd annual bike fest; PS32 hosted 10 Open Street programs;  PS/MS5 hosted 7 open streets programs and; PS59, a new school partner, hosted 2 events.  

NY State Division of Criminal Justice Service provided funding for CS300 to build a school garden. CS300, Bronx Health REACH, the Mary Mitchell Center and the NY Botanical Garden collaborated with students and teachers to build 8 garden beds, planting vegetables and herbs.

2024 marked the return of Boogie on the Boulevard as a live, in person event that, for the first time, was officially part of the NYC DOT’s Summer Streets program. 21 organizations participated in immersing the public in fitness programs, art, music, and more.

In partnership with Bronx Health REACH and Cornell University Cooperative Extension-NYC, MARC Academy and Family Center provided nutrition and physical activity training to 15 home-based childcare providers.

For our Flu and COVID-19 vaccination Initiative, BHR hosted 15 vaccines events where 240 flu vaccinations and 161 COVID vaccinations were given, distributed 13,960 handouts; gave 26 presentations to 1,028 people; and hosted 8 partner training events for 79 people.

The BHR Health Disparities Workgroup designated April as #Not62 month and appeared on the Bronxnet show, Stay Alive with Church Alive. In May, "Creation of a Movement: #Not62 Campaign for a Healthier Bronx" was showcased at the Institute for Family Health's 12th Annual Research and Innovation Symposium. In October, Eve Plotka attended the RWJF Culture of Health Prize Alumni lunch with other #Not62 steering committee members from Montefiore and the NYC Department of Health.

BHR worked with Dr. Roger Ball to bring in experts, resources and materials to better understand the problems being addressed by the BHR Health Disparities Workgroup to develop goals focused on #Not62 - The Campaign for A Healthy Bronx.

For our Immigrant Health Initiative, our Bronx Health REACH Community Health Outreach Team of Joseph Ellis, Cheikhou Ann and Felix Rojas, completed 73 outreach events, made 130 patient referrals, and participated in 6 podcasts.

October 2024 marked two years of ‘Men Let’s Talk,’ a forum for Black and Latino men to engage in open and honest discussions about concerns regarding their mental and/or sexual health and wellbeing. To date, 323 people have participated in discussions on a variety of topics listed above. 

BHR showcased projects at IFH's 12th Annual Research and Innovation Symposium. Presentations included: “Food as Medicine: Designing and Implementing a Produce Prescription Program at Federally Qualified Health Centers"; "Doula and Perinatal Care Navigator's Impact on COVID19 and Flu Vaccine Decision Making in Bronx Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women"; “Immigrant Health Initiative - Efforts to Support Underserved Immigrant Groups by Improving their Access to Health Care." In October, Cheikhou Oumar Ann, Felix Rojas and Joseph Ellis were recognized for their outstanding work during NYCDOHMH’s Harlem Family Wellness Suite Day for Dads event.

Boogie on the Boulevard Returns on Saturday, August 24th

 

After a four year hiatus, Boogie on the Boulevard returns on Saturday, August 24th.

After a four year hiatus, Boogie on the Boulevard returns Saturday, August 24th from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.  This year’s Boogie on the Boulevard will differ in one significant way from previous ones as it will now be part of the New York City Department of Transportation's Summer Streets. The event will be along the center lanes of the Grand Concourse, from East Tremont Avenue to 182nd Street which will be closed to cars and open to a world of fun, providing residents an open space to run, bike, walk and participate in music, art, dance and fitness programs. Other offerings will include yoga, Tai Chi, bicycle safety, live dancing and music performances.  

Improving School Physical Activity Access Through Open Streets

 

P.S. 32 teachers and students jumping rope at their Open Street event.   Photo credit: Street Lab

This blog post was written by Kelly Moltzen and Diana Bernal.

As part of the New York State Department of Health’s Creating Healthy Schools and Communities program, Bronx Health REACH worked with Equity Design, Street Lab, P.S. 32 The Belmont School (P.S. 32) and P.S. 18 The John Peter Zenger School (P.S. 18) to activate the schools’ surrounding spaces to increase students’ physical activity and create spaces known as “Open Streets” that can be utilized by the schools and their surrounding communities, for movement and fitness.

For many children school is where they receive the majority of their meals and physical activity to keep them healthy. School-based physical activity, included as part of a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP), can increase the physical activity that students receive at school. However, for many students in the Bronx this is not the case.  Too many do not get enough physical activity because of limited indoor space, lack of open space/safe streets, and underutilization of nearby parks, many of which are in disrepair. Even though the Bronx is the greenest Borough with one quarter of its land area made up of parks, it is also a fitness desert. There are many inequities seen throughout the Bronx that limit the access and utilization of all this green space, contributing to the high rates of chronic illnesses in the Bronx.

In response to these challenges, Bronx Health REACH has been working with P.S. 32 to make the school a fitness hub for the community; and with P.S. 18 to expose the community to different forms of physical activity. The goals of these schools is to provide physical activity opportunities before and after school and in doing so  improve the school spirit and to engage more of the community in physical activity.

P.S. 32 students utilized equipment provided by Street Lab to create their own soccer arena to play.   Photo: StreetLab.

Bronx Health REACH partnered with Equity Design and Street Lab to assist P.S. 32 and P.S. 18 in hosting their own Open Street events  during the 2022-2023 school year. In preparation for these events, P.S. 32 closed down Beaumont Avenue, between 183rd Street and Grote Street, and hosted Open Street events after school on two consecutive Tuesdays in October 2022, and on three consecutive Tuesdays in May 2023. Seven “WalkShops” were held with P.S. 32 second grade students, where they learned about what makes an Open Street. Students shared their themes of World Cup (soccer), Celebration of the Arts, and a Beaumont Avenue Waterpark at P.S. 32’s Spring Open Streets. Equity Design also led a walking group of students that would walk around the outside perimeter of the school. At P.S. 32's Open Streets events, school and community participation increased every week through word of mouth. During the 3 consecutive Tuesdays in May 2023, participation increased from about 100 participants on the first Tuesday to 200 by the third Tuesday. Parents and community members participated in the Open Street events and everyone expressed how great it was to see a safe place where students can have fun. 

 

Cyclists from Major Taylor joined P.S. 18’s Open Street events teaching community residents how to ride a bike. Photo: Equity Design.

P.S. 18 closed down 148th Street between Morris Avenue and College Avenue, and hosted Open Street events on 3 consecutive Saturdays in October 2022 and one in May 2023. P.S. 18 was gifted 65 bikes and helmets by USA Cycling and Major Taylor Development, an inclusive national cycling club. Thanks to this partnership, P.S. 18 was able to realize their vision of introducing students to other forms of physical activity, starting with biking. Major Taylor Development also provided a biking clinic during P.S. 18’s Open Street events. Students learned how to ride a bike safely at the Open Street events. In the Spring P.S. 18 held a Teachers’ Appreciation Open Street event providing teachers with an opportunity to experience the Open Street and connecting with one another through games and bike riding. P.S. 18 students and community members from the nearby NYC Housing Authority development who had never been on a bike were able to learn how to ride and practice on the closed street. During their 3 consecutive Saturdays in October 2022, registration on the first Saturday had only 15 students, but by the third Saturday over 90 students registered to ride a bike.

Bronx Health REACH will continue working with P.S. 32 and P.S. 18 providing the necessary support so that each school’s Wellness Council takes ownership of the planning and organization of Open Streets with the goal of sustainability. Our hope is that these Open Street events demonstrates the need for cleaner and safer streets for the schools and the community so elected officials and other community leaders become more active partners so community members have increasing access to physical activity. By supporting the schools in implementing Open Streets, this is a step towards implementing permanent infrastructure changes and “Complete Streets” - thereby realizing the vision of the schools and meeting the needs of the community.

Bronx Residents Get Boogie’ing at 6th Annual Boogie on the Boulevard

This post was written by Rachel Ingram, Nutrition and Physical Activity Program Manager at Bronx Health REACH.

On Sunday, September 15th from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., the middle lanes of the Grand Concourse from 162nd to 170th Street were closed to cars and open to a world of fun and free music, dance, fitness, art, fresh food samplings and more! Boogie on the Boulevard “Boogie,” a NYC Department of Transportation Weekend Walks program, is a one-of-a-kind community event that reimagines the streets as a public space where the many diverse cultures represented in the Bronx can be active and celebrate.

This year at Boogie, nearly 5,000 Bronx residents enjoyed a one-mile stretch of interactive healthy living activities based on themes such as Arts, #Not 62, Fresh and Healthy Eating, Back to School, Fitness and Wellness, Dance, Active Transportation, Baby Oasis, and Street Games. “Every year we get together as community residents, local community-based organizations, healthcare partners, transportation advocates, and we celebrate who we are as the Bronx,” said Bronx Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson, a long-time supporter of Boogie on the Boulevard. “We recognize health and wellness and achieving a healthier, brighter, and stronger borough.”

Participants engaged in fitness and wellness activities such as Hoola Hoop classes, Zumba dancing, Kickboxing, Hip Hop Fitness, and various obstacle courses. Over seventy Bronx Runners showed up to participate in a 5K timed run along the Grand Concourse. To celebrate, runners received refreshments and sunglasses with the “Boogie” logo on them. Tai Chi, guided meditation, medical massages, and yoga for adults and kids were available to those looking for a mind and body experience.

Local food vendors and organizations prepared fresh and healthy snacks and gave out samples like hummus with pita bread, shredded carrot salad, apples with sunflower butter, lightly sweetened chocolate covered nuts made by Sustainable Snacks and other goodies for participants to taste on the Fresh Food Block. The “Don’t Stress, Eat Fresh” Games Challenge, hosted by the Institute for Family Health’s Bronx Health REACH, provided a fun way to highlight all of the healthy options that are offered at partner Bronx bodegas participating in the Healthy Bodega program. Participants refreshed themselves with fruit infused water- the perfect alternative to sugar-sweetened beverages.

 

On the Arts Block, families took part in the creative process together. Community artists worked with community members to guide them through various arts and crafts projects like button making, card making, live painting, printmaking, and ceramics. At one point during the day, a large audience gathered around some of the local artists as they took part in painting live action pictures of Boogie on the Boulevard. Participants walked away with beautiful sand-art necklaces, drawings, paintings, and handmade cards.

People-powered vehicles was the theme of the Active Transportation Block. Participants learned how to roller skate, skateboard, and enjoyed free bike rides. Many, and took advantage of free bike parking and bike repairs. The big hit of the day were the adaptive bicycles used for mobility, therapy, and recreation. Everyone loved learning about the freedom that these bikes provide for individuals who otherwise would not be able to ride. They liked trying them out too! 

The Boogie Down block featured Bronx-based music and performances, salsa dancing, hip-hop, and music creation workshops for participants to dance and get moving. There was also silent disco for those thatwho wanted to “boogie” in a unique way! A regular at previous Boogie on the Boulevard events- BombaYo- engaged community members in drum circles to raise awareness of Afro Puerto Rican culture and to connect Bomba to the vast traditions of the African Diaspora.

There were no shortage of activities for folks with infants and children! Those with babies visited the Baby Oasis Block for all their parenting needs including breast-feeding tents, parent resources, and for some, mommy and me yoga. The big kids got to enjoy face painting, balloon making, a bouncy house, Euro Bungee jumping, obstacles courses, back to school giveaways, and streets games galore!

For the civic-minded Bronxites, the #Not62 Block showcased efforts to lift up the Bronx from its ranking as the least healthy county in all of New York State. On this block, people were involved in activities for the whole self - social, emotional, psychological, and physical. They also had the opportunity to help improve the health of the Bronx by signing up to join the #Not62 campaign.

 

Undoubtedly, Boogie on the Boulevard was a huge success! As one participant said, “This is a great event to get families and kids out, to get them active in arts, nutrition, the culture of the Bronx and being from the Bronx.” The 2019 Boogie on the Boulevard was made possible by NYC Department of Transportation Weekend Walks program and the Boogie on the Boulevard -Steering Committee comprised of the Institute for Family Health/Bronx Health REACH, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, BronxWorks, Montefiore Medical Center, and Uptown Boogie & Bicycle Advocacy in partnership with a volunteer committee of Bronx residents. Thank you to our sponsors Amida Care, SBH Health System, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx Museum, the Institute for Family Health/Bronx Health REACH, Health First, New Settlement Apartments, and Union Community Health Center.

Faith Based Partners Tour Concrete Plant Park

Attendees at the June faith based outreach meeting toured the edible gardens at Concrete Plant Park. 

Faith based partner members were given a tour of Concrete Park at the June faith based outreach initiative. Meeting at Bronx Health REACH partner church, Mt. Zion CME Church, the group walked to the Westchester entrance of Concrete Park, located at Bronx River Avenue and Whitlock Avenue. Nathan Hunter from Bronx River Alliance took the group of 14 on a tour of the edible gardens. As part of our initiative to support active design efforts and increase safe, accessible places for physical activity, we have connected our faith based partners with the work that Bronx River Alliance has been doing to increase awareness of the available park space community residents can access.

Rev. Theresa Oliver, Senior Pastor at Mt. Zion CME Church initially toured both Concrete Plant Park and Starlight Park in May, and joined the June tour. She remarked, "It is remarkable that we have this amazing oasis right in our own backyard here in the Bronx. We sampled berries and mint from the edible garden. When it cools down I will bring our congregation to the park after our Sunday service."  Joseph Ellis, Bronx Health REACH Community Health Worker added, "I remember when it used to be an empty space filled with trash but it's great to see it transform into an amazing park and open space that the community can use and enjoy." We encourage everyone to visit Concrete Plant and Starlight Parks and take part in the many outdoor activities offered by our partner Bronx River Alliance.

Bronx Health REACH in the News

Bronx Health REACH appeared with NY Assemblymember Dinowitz (right) and State Senator Klein (center) asking to renew the school zone speed camera program.


Unionport School-PS36 students and Saba Quality Plus Deli unveiled their Don't Stress, Eat Fresh healthy bodega marketing campaign on June 12th. Students offered free fruit salad samples to Saba Quality Plus Deli customers and promoted Saba by featuring the fruit salad during morning announcements, classroom and cafeteria presentations and by distributing fliers. The Bronx Times covered the event.

P.S. 333, the winner of the Bronx Salad Cover Competition participated in a school-wide celebration and awards ceremony on June 25th hosted by Bronx Health REACH. Bronx Health REACH partner Henry Obispo from the United Business Cooperative spoke to the students about the importance of healthy eating, and a hot sauce tasting contest was held. Their photo will appear on the cover of the ‘Bronx Salad Toolkit for Schools,’ an adapted recipe and planning guide for schools desiring to grow, harvest and eat a version of The Bronx Salad using their school garden’s produce. The Bronx Times covered the event.

On Thursday, July 12th, Bronx Health REACH joined partner Transportation Alternatives as well as Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein asking for New York state legislators to renew the school zone speed camera program due to expire in July. Bronx Health REACH Director Charmaine Ruddock provided a quote and the event received extensive coverage by News12 The Bronx, WNBC, and WCBS among others.

Emma Rodgers Recognized as One of NYC Food Policy Center's 40 Under 40

At a June 7th event, Bronx Health REACH's Emma Rodgers was recognized by Hunter College's New York City Food Policy Center as one of the 2018 class of 40 individuals under 40 years old who are working to transform the food system. The Center’s honorees include policymakers, educators, community advocates, farmers and innovators who are making significant strides to create healthier, more sustainable food environments and to use food to promote community and economic development. Emma is the Senior Program Manager at Bronx Health REACH. Congratulations Emma! We are honored to have you as part of the Bronx Health REACH team.

We Have a Responsibility to Make our Streets Safe for All

James James, second from the left, with New York State Assemblyman Victor M. Parchardo and others advocate for the school zone speed safety camera program.

This post was written by James James, coordinator for the Claremont in Motion bike program, a partner of Bronx Health REACH.

As the coordinator of the Claremont in Motion bike program and a longtime advocate for safe streets, the chance to participate in Lobby Day with Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets, might seem like a routine endeavor that I’ve experienced a number of times over the years. And, while I’ve been to Albany with a number of organizations in the past, to lobby for women’s issues, education issues and safer streets, this lobby day presented me with an unexpected perspective on how we view safe streets in the context of transportation safety and the Mayor’s Vision Zero initiative.

On Wednesday, May 9th I boarded a bus at the Bronx County Courthouse with members of Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safer Streets for our trip to Albany. For anyone who’s been to Albany to advocate for legislation, this wasn’t your typical lobby day. While, the day was filled with your usual legislative staff meetings and photo ops with rushed legislators, the most poignant part of the day for me was hearing the heart wrenching stories of families that had to deal with the death of a child due to the lack of speed safety cameras in school zones. In New York City being struck by a vehicle is the leading cause of injury-related death for children under 14. In addition, vehicles seriously injured or kill a New Yorker, on average, every two hours. That is why this issue is so important.


Throughout the day, as we lobbied legislators on both sides of the issue, it became clear that there were some views that would not be swayed regardless of the discussion around the death of a young child in such an untimely fashion. It’s at this point that we all must find a sense of responsibility for the safety of our streets. The proposed bill would expand the number of school zones operating speed safety cameras from 140 to 290. It’s time to pass this legislation and follow the suggestions of the Mayor's Vision Zero Initiative and New York Police Department police commissioner and support passage of this law. Unfortunately, as the New York State legislative session ended, and the bill did not pass. I, along with the many organizations, advocates and elected officials are disappointed, but we'll be back next year to support safe streets for our children. I hope you'll join us.

Symposium Provides Forum for Community Based Organizations to Showcase Their Work

On September 27th Bronx Health REACH, along with the Center for the Study of Asian American Health at NYU School of Medicine’s Department of Population Health, and Bronx Community Health Network, all grantees of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant; and the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, a CDC Partnership to Improve Community Health (PICH) grantee hosted a symposium, “Community Transformation through Partnerships.” Over 150 people attended the forum that provided community based organizations such as Transportation Alternatives, Casita Maria and others to share strategies and initiatives designed and implemented to create opportunities for healthy living in communities with significant rates of racial and ethnic health disparities.

Dr. Ruth Petersen, Director for the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, 

and Obesity at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Opening the symposium was Dr. Ruth Petersen, Director for the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Petersen spoke about the REACH program improving the health of many Americans by providing 2 million people greater opportunities for choosing healthy foods and beverages, and 600,000 people with increased opportunities to be physically active as a result of environmental and policy improvements. Richard Hamburg from Trust for America’s Health and Dr. Susan Beane from Healthfirst were keynote speakers. Mr. Hamburg noted that the best long term investment is increasing CDC funding to programs such as REACH as doing so has been shown to improve the health and well-being of many communities. Dr. Beane discussed Healthfirst's efforts to merge health and social services to create and support a "Healthy Village" system of healthcare.

Gail Heidel, Associate Director of Creative Arts Programs at Casita Maria.

Bronx Health REACH partners were featured on two panels. On the Community Leadership and Engagement panel Erwin Figueroa, Bronx organizer for Transportation Alternatives spoke about the work of transforming the Grand Concourse into a Complete Street. And, on the Evaluation and Storytelling panel, Gail Heidel, Associate Director of Creative Arts Programs at Casita Maria, gave an overview of their projects painting murals on playgrounds in the South Bronx to encourage more outdoor physical activity. She also spoke about engaging residents to be active participants in the Bronx campaign to become ‘The World’s Strongest Borough’ utilizing the ‘Mobile Pull-Up Bar of Power.’

Charmaine Ruddock, (left) Project Director at Bronx Health REACH.

The final panel of the day was a unique conversation with funders and grantees discussing, from their respective perspectives, the expectations and efforts of each when trying to effect long term sustainable changes in communities disproportionately experiencing racial and ethnic health disparities. The panelists were Max Winer from New York University, Sarah Oltmans from Robin Hood Foundation, Nupur Chaudhury from the New York State Health Foundation, Linda Lee from Korean Community Services and Bronx Health REACH's Charmaine Ruddock. Charmaine focused her remarks on the importance of getting buy in from the community. "You can't have folks helicopter into the community and helicopter out; there has to be a commitment to the community."

Bicycle and Soccer Program Comes to Claremont Village

Bronx Lebanon Hospital, a partner with Bronx Health REACH, is creating a bike and soccer program for residents of the Claremont Village community. The goal of the bicycle program is to  provide exercise and, very importantly, to establish bike lanes for the Claremont Village neighborhood connecting Mott Haven, Hunts Point and Claremont, with safe bike routes.

The bicycle program offers, every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. the Claremont in Motion Bike Ride Program  free, learn to ride classes and group rides  open to anyone ten years and older. Held at the Claremont Neighborhood Center, participants are first evaluated on their biking abilities, and if needed, offered riding lessons. Participants also take a road safety course before heading out for a group ride. Group rides have consisted of trips to the Bronx Zoo, the Bronx Botanical Garden, Crotona Park, and Randalls Island. Bike New York assists in the riding lessons and group rides. Another aspect of the bicycle program is working with Recycle a Bicycle to refurbish old bicycles, which will provide participants in the program with an opportunity to learn basic bicycle mechanics.

Street Soccer USA, and Bronx Lebanon Hospital, with support from Bronx Health REACH, is partnering on a  soccer program. On Saturday, September 10th a “Back to School” event was held at CS 55, with soccer training workshops being held for youths aged 5 to 18. The main attraction of the event, the Street Soccer USA Stadium, is where youth participating in the event can play short, 15 minute games during the day. The goal of the soccer program is to establish an after school program at CS 55 starting in October, and eventually build a soccer court within Claremont Village using  an underutilized space on the property.

Pedal to the Grindstone: Biking to Work

Bike to Work Day, held in New York on May 16^th (last Friday), is a celebration of the bike being an environmental and wallet-friendly option for commuting from your home to your work place.  In honor of this event we had a Q&A session with Laura Solis from Bike New York about traveling via bicycle. Here’s what she said!

 If I live, let’s say 5 miles from my job, how long would it take me to get there? 

 That depends on a few factors. I used to live 5 miles away from my last job. The commute using public transportation would involve either 2 buses and the train or 3 buses and it’d take me just over an hour to get there. When I started riding my bike, it took me roughly 30 minutes on a day when I was being mindful not to break into a sweat. There was this one time it took me only 19 minutes, but I never did quite repeat that great timing. 

Do you remember the first time you biked to work?

The first day I tried it out I actually did it on my day off so that there wasn’t any pressure to get there “on time”. I went on a Sunday morning when traffic would be presumably lightest and I timed myself. I don’t remember what my time was, but I remember giving myself and hour and a half and I had planned 3 rest-stops, including a coffee shop along the way. Whenever I think back to that day, I remember how over prepared I was, how much I had overestimated what 5 miles really felt like, and how I had underestimated myself tremendously.  In the end, I only stopped once, and it was to pat myself on the back and tag a swig of water.

Clearly, biking is a great workout for your legs, but does it tone the jiggle anywhere else?

Biking is a tremendous workout, you will have buns of steel in no time and your abs/core will love you forevermore.

Are there any other benefits to biking besides the workout?

I will say that the money I save on transportation I spend on food to keep me fueled. And the saying “you are what you eat”, couldn’t be more true than when you are riding a bike. If I eat a bacon cheddar burger with fries and a shake before a bike ride, I ride like I just ate a bacon cheddar burger with fries and a shake. The bigger the variety of colors on my plate (not including condiments!) and range of food groups, the more vibrant I feel on my bike.

Ok, this may be a little personal but what about the, well, smell? Any tips?

Hygiene in general is a really big deal to me, whether or not I’m on my bike. With that said, I quickly learned how to ride so that I didn’t break into a sweat, but I also learned what was the best way to get rid of the smell of NYC streets that will latch on to your body if you’re riding through traffic. I stocked up on sun dresses when I started riding a bike because there is NOTHING, like riding a bike in a skirt or a dress. The sheer ventilation that you get in all the necessary places will have you smiling up and down the road. I am more concerned with dirt, which is attracted to you if you are wearing lotion, sunscreen in particular. To remove the grime, which usually only accumulates on a ride greater than 5 miles, I use Action Wipes. Action Wipes are amazing! They remove any evidence of your having been active in a matter of minutes, and it does so using all natural ingredients, without drying your skin while leaving you feeling clean and fresh. They also don’t leave any lint behind, which baby wipes often do, and they’re the perfect texture for sloughing off the grease that will one day end up on your leg.

What are the safest routes in the Bronx? Is there somewhere I can find this information?

The Bronx has a great number of greenways (paths surrounded by greenery) as a result of being the greenest borough! Many folks feel really safe along the greenways because the interaction with traffic is very limited. We’ve got the Bronx River Greenway, Mosholu Parkway Greenway, the Hutchinson River Greenway, and the Pelham Parkway Greenway.  Have you checked out the 2014 NYC Bike Map?!!! The promising green dotted lines indicate forthcoming “potential” bike lanes, including an extension of the existing Hudson River Greenway, which currently ends in Inwood Hill Park in Manhattan, but looks to make its way up to Riverdale. There are also lots of green dots along the Bronx Harlem River Greenway as well! In addition to the Bike Map, ridethecity (website and app), maps out direct, safe and safer routes, respectively. They are still one of my most used #bikenyc resources.

Bike lanes are great, but being safe has a lot to do with feeling safe and feeling safe often comes with knowledge which leads to confidence. You can get this sort of knowledge, and subsequent confidence, by attending free Bike New York Street Skills Class and Street Skills Ride. Honestly, it’s where I picked up most of my tips and tricks, or rather advice and instruction. As much as I love the greenways, and hope for more bike lanes in the Bronx, the existing ones are not currently conducive to an efficient commute for me, so you’ll most often see me on the road, safely alongside the cars, without a bike lane.

If I wanted to take a class to learn more about biking in NYC or find a group to ride with, how could I do that?  

Visit www.bikenewyork.org/education to learn more about biking safely and confidently in NYC for free. We have free classes throughout the five boroughs. Our Community Bike Education Center in the Bronx is located in the southwest playground of Van Cortlandt Park.

If you want to ride with a group, I’d recommend our very own Bike Path Cruise Rides. You can also check out the list of bike clubs on our website. A few of my favorites include Social Cycling NYC, NYC Biketrain and InTandem. They are all filled with good people who are very welcoming to new and experienced cyclists.