Pedal power was the winner as scores of youngsters hopped on their bikes for the Police Gymkhana.Youngsters aged from just four years old competed in a series of races on the police sports field at Prospect on Saturday.The event is a 42-year-old tradition designed to improve relations between police and the community.The annual event was founded in 1969 by former police officer Ray Sousa and resurrected last year after 17 years “to try to gain and keep the respect of the youth”.There were cycling races for different age groups including team relays, last man out races, slowest rider races and ‘pop-a-wheelie’ contests.Children also got the chance to visit numerous cycling vendors, try out police motorbikes for size and use up any leftover energy on the fun castles.Bermuda Regiment Commanding Officer Brian Gonsalves beat off competition from Governor Sir Richard Gozney, Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva, Assistant Police Commissioner David Mirfield, Chief Fire Officer Vincent Hollinsid and Prisons Commissioner Eddie Lamb to claim victory in the ‘Big Boys Race’.The gymkhana kicked off Police Week 2011, which continues today with a police awards ceremony at CedarBridge Academy.The week-long series of events, which celebrates 132 years of the Bermuda Police Service, also sees a police display and seniors’ tea tomorrow, school children becoming Police Commissioner for the day on Wednesday and police officers competing in a sports day on Thursday.Friday will see the official opening of Hamilton Police Station and an open house at police stations and the Marine Unit.Further information: www.bermudapolice.bm