Police Bike Ride — All of the bike ride participants assembled for a group photo.

The Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township police departments and local families enjoyed a summer bike ride on the Saucon Rail Trail in the borough and the township Tuesday. Post-ride ice cream treats for riders at Water Street Park were sponsored by the family of Mayor David Heintzelman.

The ride began and ended at the borough park. The Reading Drive trailhead was the destination.

“Success is not necessarily gauged by the amount of participants but by those participants who took the time out of their day for a teachable moment,” Heintzelman said in a Facebook post following the ride. “Biking with kids and cops was a total success. “

Heintzelman, both chiefs of police and other local elected officials participated in the ride, which the mayor was careful to stress was not a race.

Rather, the purpose of the ride was to promote bicycle safety and show young people from both communities that police officers are approachable and friendly.

Referencing storms that rolled through the area, the Lower Saucon Township Police said in a Facebook post that “the weather held out and the ride was a huge success and lots of fun. Thanks to all the officers, Saucon Valley Bikes, all the children and their parents who came out to ride.”

Photos by Chris Christian