Officer Brian Shaw motorcycle run expected to be biggest one yet, organizers say

Organizers of Saturday’s fourth annual Officer Brian Shaw motorcycle run expect this year’s event to be the biggest yet, attracting more than 700 riders.

“It’s probably going to be the largest charitable motorcycle ride in Western Pennsylvania this summer,” said Eric Felack, a spokesman for the event.

Proceeds from ShawRide IV will benefit the nonprofit Officer Brian Shaw Memorial Scholarship Fund. Shaw was shot and killed in a 2017 traffic stop while on duty as a New Kensington police officer.

“For people to pay tribute means a lot to the cyclists and the memory of Brian,” Felack said. “Along the ride route, people wave flags, hold signs and wave hands. They want to be a part of it because Brian was so special.”

The 65-mile ride goes through communities across the Alle-Kiski Valley and beyond, including Harmar, Harrison, Freeport, Ford City, Bethel, Parks Township, Vandergrift, Allegheny Township, Lower Burrell, New Kensington, East Deer and Frazer.

The ride is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center in Harmar. Riders are expected to get back to the Shrine Center just before noon. A luncheon with live music, a raffle with more than 60 baskets, a cigar booth and more are planned until 4 p.m. The luncheon is open to the public with a $10 entrance fee.

Some intersections along the route temporarily will be closed as the motorcycles rumble through.

With the exception of last year, when activities were more limited because of the covid pandemic, the event has continued to grow in popularity since its inception, said Leslie Zellers, secretary of the memorial scholarship fund. In 2019, the nonprofit recorded a record 763 registrations, she said.

More than 400 bikes were registered as of the cutoff date this past weekend, and several hundred more riders are expected to sign up on the day of the event, Zellers said. The fee for the ride, continental breakfast and lunch are $30 per rider and $20 per passenger.

Proceeds from the ride go to fully reimbursable tuition scholarships to cadets at the Allegheny County Police Academy, where Shaw trained.

“It’s just so gratifying to have such incredible support from the community, not only the participants but those who come to cheer and show support along the route not just for Brian but for police officers everywhere,” Zellers said.

Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Pittsburgh Shrine Center, 1877 Shriners Way, Harmar. For more information, visit the ShawRide IV Facebook page at shorturl.at/dpK12.