Bike Patrol

Because bicycle patrols increase police visibility in an accessible way, they can facilitate cooperative relationships between residents and law enforcement. Bicycle patrols also benefit enforcement because they are quick, quiet, and can pursue suspects through areas police cars cannot reach.

Typically, bicycle patrols are a separate unit within the police department designated to patrol business districts or neighborhoods. In our department the same officers who are on patrol day and night in their cruisers are also on bike. Training in police work and community relations is often supplemented by strict physical conditioning. Our officers go through a rigid one-week bike course to be certified in bike patrol. One problem for a bicycle patrol is the seasonal nature of its usefulness in some communities.