Verona Bike Derby returns with special attractions

For the first time in four years, youngsters were able to ride their two-wheelers, have them checked for safety and enjoy some special attractions at the annual Verona Bike Derby.

The landing of Allegheny Health Network’s Life Flight helicopter, for example, drew families to explore and learn more about it.

Pilot Rick Dressler was happy to oblige.

“It’s great to be out here,” Dressler said. “We serve the community. They deserve to see how we serve them and enjoy that, and ask lots of questions. For me, personally, I’d love to grow some future helicopter pilots. I love answering their questions.”

Dressler said a pilot is always accompanied by a two-person medical crew, usually nurse and a paramedic, highly trained in critical care.

Jaiden DiIanni, 12, of Penn Hills received a new helmet at the derby and was among those asking Dressler questions.

“(Medical helicopters) go 1,500 to 2,000 feet (in the air) and he said the highest they can go is 18,000 feet,” Jaiden said about what he learned. “It feels cool seeing the helicopter down low and hovering above us.”

Dressler touched down safely in Railroad Park midway through the June 10 event, which went on hiatus because of the pandemic.

Police Sgt. Jerry Frankos, the derby’s organizer, was glad that his department brought it back for 2023.

“People love it,” he said. “I love doing it for the kids. It’s great.”

Youngsters particularly enjoyed riding in an obstacle course set up in the Verona Municipal Building parking lot and receiving inflated works of art from Robin Lipp of Mike the Balloon Guy & Co. Attending were representatives of Verona Volunteer Fire Department, Lower Valley Ambulance and Allegheny County Emergency Services and The Bike Lab in Plum, all promoting safety.

“We’re making sure their tires are inflated and their brakes are working,” Bike Lab owner Jim Yurek said.

He provided information about the business’ initiatives, such as the nonprofit Battles To Bikes, which supplies free bicycles to veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and other service-related issues.

The Bike Lab started the mountain biking team Plum Mustang MTB, for borough students in sixth through 12th grades, with registration though June 30. Contact Yurek at labsonbikes@gmail.com for more information.

Regarding the bike derby, support from the community included donations of food and beverages, plus two of the four bicycles that were raffled off during the event. Each youngster who attended received a door prize.

For Frankos, who has organized the derby for a couple of decades — June Stieck, Verona’s first female police officer launched the tradition — its return reminds him of his early years in the department.

“I started as a bike officer,” he said. Everybody would stop and talk. I had so much fun.”