Fox Chapel Police Department hosts bike rodeo outside church

Fox Chapel Police Department’s third annual bike rodeo rounded up a dozen or so area families at the Presbyterian church along Fox Chapel Road.

Sgt. Craig Sorg organized the May 28 event that featured a bicycle obstacle course, raffle giveaways, free helmets for children, tours of various emergency vehicles and much more.

He said he was grateful for everyone who came out under the threat of stormy weather.

“They were calling for high winds, thunderstorms starting at 5 o’clock (at the start of the rodeo),” he said. “We had some rain already and some wind issues when we were setting up. Right now, it’s calm, which I’ll keep.”

The police department brought its community service Volkswagen Beetle, a model commonly referred to as a Bug, for families to explore, as did the fire department with one of its trucks and Foxwall EMS with its ambulances.

The Bug has come a long way in both mechanical repairs and paint jobs since its restoration project was announced in January 2023.

West Deer police Officer Zak Fedunok led children through the bicycle obstacle course.

Indiana Township officers provided hotdogs, snacks and drinks.

“I get a lot of help and support from the local communities from the first responders and other police officers,” Sorg said. “I couldn’t do it without them.”

Cody Pivirotto, a mechanic at Pro Bike+Run Pittsburgh’s North Park location, did free bicycle safety checks.

He said parents need to make sure their young riders have helmets, well-inflated tires and good brakes before riding.

It was a big day for Dana Lee and her family. The rodeo was the first summer event the Fox Chapel family was able to attend. Her autistic son, Rowan, 12, has been in recovery since having open heart surgery last year.

“He started to ride his bike a couple weeks ago,” Lee said. “It was a big deal to come here and check out the bike event and for him to actually participate and see what they have to offer here since we missed it last year.”

Rowan suffered a medical emergency last April and was treated at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. He was unable to finish the school year with his classmates. Other activities also were canceled as the family quarantined.

“We had to worry about being around people (due to) risk of infection,” his mother said. “We had no summer. We had medicine delivered to our house. It was like covid all over again. I feel that I’m playing catch up from last year. We’re looking forward to the summer, and I already bought our pass to the pool.”

Rowan was a man of few words at the event, but he did say he had fun riding the bike and being with his family.

The bike rodeo takes place a couple of weeks after the school district’s safety and wellness day in Aspinwall.

It is a huge community gathering with a similar bike safety theme. Organizers added a wellness component this year with Foxwall EMS doing blood pressure checks and other health screenings. There were healthy food options and other activities.

It is sponsored by the district’s resource officers in conjunction with district communities and emergency services.

“Aspinwall is a big event, and I think it does well,” Sorg said. “For people that can’t attend there for one reason or another, this gives them another chance to come and experience the same type of event, learn some skills and get their bikes checked out by a professional.”