About 20 cyclists and a man on roller skates began an odyssey in Mount Rainier on Sunday afternoon.

The group played music while people of all ages traveled from the artsy areas of Mount Rainier to the town center of Riverdale Park and back for the Trolley Trail Slow Roll event. They were on a mission to demonstrate that the route along Rhode Island Avenue needed better biking infrastructure.

During some parts of the trip, the group traveled on the protected sections on the trail. But at other points, they had to ride on Rhode Island Avenue surrounded by cars.

“The cycling conditions here are very hostile and dangerous,” said Chelsea Ritter-Soronen, the owner of Chalk Riot. “Rhode Island Avenue itself is dangerous for walking and biking and even driving itself, and it feels very vulnerable and scary as a cyclist.”

The major commuter route connecting Washington, D.C., to nearby Maryland suburbs presents multiple safety hazards for cyclists, such as distracted driving, speeding and aggression, she explained.

The event also aimed to bring awareness to a State Highway Administration feasibility study on a possible extension of the trail from Hyattsville to the Washington, D.C., border, said event organizer Valerie Woodall. The event was organized by the Anacostia Trails Heritage Area and several local arts organizations and bike shops, including 3711 Studios, Chalk Riot and Arrow Bicycle.

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Events like the slow roll can also help build community, said Woodall, the heritage area’s associate director. She said she hoped that a large number of people would show out and make it clear that an extension is needed.

“I think that’s the only way to do this, if we show that there are people that are willing to bike ride on the road and build that connection,”Woodall said.
For Ritter-Soronen, a two-way protected bike lane on Rhode Island Avenue would be ideal for bikers, she said.

Organizers hope that the event can become a monthly occurrence beginning next year, she added.

“The biggest hope is that if we do it consistently, and the numbers grow each time, that we can advocate as a community for the eventual official extension of the Trolley Trail, which we really need on Rhode Island Avenue,” she said.

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University of Maryland carpenter Jennifer Loss lives in Greenbelt, but thought the event was a fun Sunday activity to do with her friend. She said she’s all for extending bike trails.

“We know we have too many cars on the road, and with environmental concerns, I would think we would try to encourage people to ride their bikes more,” she said. “I think more people would if they felt they were going to be safe.”

Washington, D.C., resident Andrew Barabasz, lead instructor for Skate Instruction, came to the event with his roller skates, his preferred method of transportation.

He said that while he prefers off-the-road trails, the large group of cyclists made biking on the road feel safer.

“It’s been nice,” Barabasz said. “It’s a beautiful day. Lovely people. Awesome ride, just really enjoyable.”