The Verona Police Department plans to bring back one of its popular community events after a three-year hiatus.
The annual Verona Bike Derby returns June 10 outside the borough building.
Railroad Avenue will be closed between Center and South avenues from at least 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“It’s good to be back finally after this covid stuff,” said Sgt. Jerry Frankos, who started working for the borough police force in 2000 as a bike patrolman. “I can’t wait for it to happen. It will be good to work with the kids again.”
Frankos has organized the derby for about 20 years. About 80 children participate each year.
It was canceled 2020 through 2022 because of the covid-19 pandemic.
“No one was going to be responsible for getting all these kids sick,” Frankos said of the cancellations. “It was for the kids’ safety.”
The derby is all about children’s safety, particularly when riding bicycles in the streets.
Bike mechanics from The Bike Lab in Plum will conduct free safety inspections on all bicycles. There will be free food provided by the Verona Giant Eagle and Oakmont Bakery. American Beverage, formerly Daily’s Juice Products, will provide drinks.
Lower Valley Ambulance Service personnel and Verona firefighters will be on hand to offer safety tips and show off their vehicles. Allegheny Health Network’s LifeFlight will have a medical helicopter in the area, weather permitting.
Activities will include a bicycle obstacle course, bike raffles and a balloon artist.
The Riverview Athletic Association and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh donated helmets for the event.
Frankos said the bike derby is a labor of love for him and the department.
“I grew up around bikes,” he said. “I love to mountain bike and all that stuff when I get a chance. When I was doing the bike patrol, it was fun and was easy, had a good time on it.
“The importance of helmets is we don’t want anyone to have a major injury or anything like that. The tune-ups, a lot of kids and parents don’t really maintain (bikes). It’s nice to go over them and make sure everything is in tip-top (shape). Just like a car or anything else, you have to maintain it.”
For details, call the Verona police station at 412-828-6034.
