BATON ROUGE - Baton Rouge Community College’s TRIO Upward Bound Programs recently hosted Pedal Power: Riding for Peace, History and Community, a guided bicycle tour through downtown Baton Rouge.
The event combined Louisiana history, outdoor recreation and a clear message against youth violence. Scholars visited historic sites, learned more about Baton Rouge and reflected on the role they can play in making their schools and neighborhoods safer.
Pedal Power was held in partnership with the East Baton Rouge Parish Constable’s Office, East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, BRCC Police Department and Geaux Ride.
Community policing was a central part of the experience. Riding alongside officers gave scholars an opportunity to talk with law enforcement in a relaxed setting, ask questions and build trust beyond an emergency or disciplinary encounter. The day reinforced that safer communities depend on strong relationships between residents, young people and the officers who serve them.
“Pedal Power gave our scholars a different way to experience Baton Rouge,” said Dr. Darica Simon-Baptiste, Director of TRIO Programs at BRCC. “They learned more about their city, spent time together outdoors and saw that their voices and choices matter.”
BRCC Police Officer James Alexander reminded scholars that public safety is a shared responsibility.
“Everyone has a role to play in keeping our campus and community safe,” Alexander said. “If you see something, say something. Speaking up can protect you, your friends and others around you.”
Dr. Donta Mills, Assistant Director of BRCC TRIO Upward Bound II, said the ride was also about giving young people space to enjoy being young.
“This was an opportunity for our scholars to dream, laugh, play and be kids again outdoors,” Mills said. “They do not need guns to feel powerful, accepted or heard. They need safe spaces, positive experiences and people who believe in them.”
For Vivian, a senior at Liberty High School, the event carried a deeper meaning.
“I enjoyed the event, but it was especially meaningful to me because I lost a classmate to gun violence in Baton Rouge last week,” she said. “Violence involving young people seems to increase during the summer, and Upward Bound gives us something positive to focus on. It helps us stay in a better mindset. I hope community leaders continue to prioritize funding for Upward Bound and other TRIO programs because TRIO works.”
The ride gave scholars room to move, connect and see their city in a new way. It also opened an honest conversation about violence, safety and the responsibility each person carries.
BRCC TRIO Upward Bound serves high school students through academic support, college preparation, mentoring, career exploration and enrichment activities. Programs such as Pedal Power keep students connected to positive people, purposeful experiences and their future goals.
WBRZ-TV also featured the event, highlighting its anti-violence message and focus on Louisiana history.