During the height of the late 1800s bicycling craze, Riverton decided to crack down on speeding cyclists, or scorchers, as they were known.
An 1897 Borough ordinance limited the speed of bicyclists to 5 miles per hour, or an even slower speed of 3 mph when passing other vehicles or pedestrians. A journalist suggested that a trick rider would have difficulty going that slow.
Luckily, the athletes competing in the upcoming Historical Riverton Criterium on June 9 will not be so constrained. There will definitely be scorching.
Come to Riverton on the second Sunday in June for an afternoon of amateur and professional bicycle races set on the Borough’s closed off streets. Live music, vendors, food trucks, and Wade’s Snoooo Train lend a house party flavor to the event.
Races take place over a 0.8 mile, 6 turn, technical flat and fast course through residential streets in the center of Riverton.
The first of 5 races begins at 1 pm. All races to follow. In-between the adult races, kids 8-10 yrs. can race in separate boys/girls races.