John Salmen demonstrates that finding time to help others is still possible. On Mondays and Wednesdays, he rides his recumbent tricycle from his Takoma Park home to deliver prepared meals to neighbors in need.
“It was the perfect solution for what I was looking for in terms of fulfilling time that also helped me,” said Salmen, who volunteers with the local nonprofit Meals on Wheels Takoma Park/Silver Spring.
“I was looking for something I could do on my trike. I realized this was a way to kill a bunch of birds with one stone,” Salmen continued. “I wanted to be able to exercise, help people and be outdoors. It’s good for the recipients, it’s good for the community, it’s good for me, and It’s good for the earth!”
Salmen was excited when a bike-friendly Meals on Wheels delivery route in Takoma Park became available. He traded in his car for his recumbent TerraTrike and rigged it with an attachment cart to carry food coolers.
He also added electric assist to make it easier to go up hills while pulling his trailer, allowing him to successfully deliver meals to ten residents.
“We are so honored when our Meals on Wheels volunteers go the extra mile–literally–and John is a true example of that,” Meals on Wheels of Takoma Park/Silver Spring executive director Ruth Masterson. “We were excited he could make accommodations to his trike so that he could not only deliver to our clients in the area, but also be in the community with them and our staff. When they see him coming, it brightens their day and adds an extra conversation piece. We love our volunteers and are always looking for new ones.”
Founded in 1971, Meals on Wheels serves Takoma Park, Silver Spring, Langley Park, Chillum, and Adelphi residents, providing essential services to help them stay healthy and independent at home, especially during the ongoing pandemic and high inflation.
“All of the clients are so appreciative of the meals. I’m amazed every time I get these unique and sincere thanks from them,” Salmen said. “There is one guy who was an avid biker and can’t do it anymore. When he sees me coming we have a nice conversation about the bike. He’s impressed to see me on the bike.”
The proud septuagenarian said that, besides helping the environment, riding a recumbent tricycle reduces strain on the shoulders, elbows, and wrists. Unlike a traditional bicycle, where these body parts support the rider by holding onto the handlebars, riding a recumbent tricycle allows the energy to propel the trike rather than support the body.
Additionally, riding a recumbent tricycle provides stability and ease of maneuvering, making it easier to start and stop and reducing the risk of tipping over.
“For someone who has vertigo, like me, it’s important to be able to stay up,” said Salmen. “You can hardly get hurt on these things as opposed to falling from the height of a bike.”
More information about volunteering or contributing to Meals on Wheels Takoma Park/Silver Spring can be found online at mowtakoma.org.
Photos Courtesy of Meals on Wheels Takoma Park/Silver Spring