No wonder the police never catch anyone...

[Vikeonabike]

Police Cycling Links:
Public Safety Cycling (Police, Ambulance, Fire and other Rescue services): http://www.publicsafetycycling.org.uk

Cannondale: http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/09/cusa/law_enforcement.html
TREK: http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/urban/police_bike/policebike/
Volcanic: http://www.volcanicbikes.com/

KIT CAT: http://www.kitinfo.co.uk/

International Police Mountainbike Association: http://www.ipmba.org/

 

[iwf]

Great to see a couple of 'mounted' cops up here on the forum. assuming you share our joy of riding then it can only help to improve relationships.

On the other hand if you been given the bike to lose a few pounds then you're still welcome

 

[Cubist]

There are no hard and fast rules on which bikes to use, but they are primarily for transport from A to B, with the added bonus that a cop/PCSO on a bike is highly visible. In our division we have a lot of off-road routes which we patrol regularly. There are also many hills, and so a MTB is the obvious choice. Also need to remember that these people are out on the bikes for up to 7 hours of their working day, so speed is hardly a deciding factor! One further benefit of a decent bike is that they become a talking point or ice-breaker with youngsters. You don't get "cool bike mister" if you're out on a pashley!
Have a guess what my team has (bearing in mind I chose them.....) We now have 8 of these:

 

[Downward]

Most Police just get ssued whatever they are given, unfortunately there is still very little understanding from the brass about the benefits and therefore the requirements needed for an officers or PCSO's bike.
W can't have lightweight, race bikes due to the amount of kit we carry. The Police will not spend a grand on each bike (which they should IMHO) due to finacial constraints and public opinion. They also have a lack of understanding about the uniform cyclists need issuing and the training required. Although that is changing slowly.
In The US, Police Bikes are big Buisness, with speacials available form Cannondale, Trek, Volcanic, Speacialised and Gun Makers Smith & Wesson. Here in the UK the only company getting involved is WHYTE.
MOntague/Swiss Bike do thier Folding Paratrooper in EMS livery (a very good bike for our needs for many reasons). There is a partnership between Halfords and a company called Creative Innovative Technology making Carrera bikes availble in Police livery. USE, the light people, also do Flashing Blue versions of thier Jostixx and MAXX lights for EMS use. Endura are also making speacialist Police Uniform based on thier range of clothing.


Good point Tynan. Open your eyes and yo may see them doing more than you think!



Had to do this on several occaisons, usually on my may to somethng more important where I don't (as much as I would like too) have time to stop and spend 10 minutes issuing a ticket and doeing all the required checks need to issue said ticket



Please, Please write to your local Constabulary and let them know you want to see more officers, properly trained and equipped riding bikes around your town!
(PS If anyone wants to sposor me to the effect of a new bike uniform and some Blues and Twos it would be very much appreciated!

The Tender for the Supply of Cycles will probably go out with a Minimum and Maximum Bike Cost.

EG the last one for West Midlands Police stated :
Total final value of contract(s)
Value
OR Lowest Offer GBP 395
AND Highest Offer to be taken into consideration GBP 705

So Bikes ranging from £395 to £705.
Decided by :
1) Quality. Weighting: 80%.
2) Price. Weighting: 20%.

Total cost for the WMP was £450k over 5 years on Cycles and Accesories

 

[Vikeonabike]

There are no hard and fast rules on which bikes to use, but they are primarily for transport from A to B, with the added bonus that a cop/PCSO on a bike is highly visible. In our division we have a lot of off-road routes which we patrol regularly. There are also many hills, and so a MTB is the obvious choice. Also need to remember that these people are out on the bikes for up to 7 hours of their working day, so speed is hardly a deciding factor! One further benefit of a decent bike is that they become a talking point or ice-breaker with youngsters. You don't get "cool bike mister" if you're out on a pashley!
Have a guess what my team has (bearing in mind I chose them.....) We now have 8 of these:

Cubist, Where do you work and how quick can I transfer....Hills and good bikes........My CB Rock and the flat lands of Peterborough just don't compare!

As for being Cool, the Montague Paratrooper I had on trial certainly had the desired effct.
On one notable occaison my Arrestee said "At least I get to ride in the van..You have to pedal back to the station". So I folded said bike up and stuck it in the bike...lovely!
ALso have you joined the PSC Forum Yet?

 

[Aperitif]

Interesting thread!
I do wish that police on bicycles would regularly target the lines of slow moving traffic (not so slow in places) where people drive, phone, read, make up with impunity.
£1000 minimum automatic penalty would be a pleasant prescription for a wavering, ignorant motorist I think. Trouble is, all those subtle 'adjustments' made to driving whilst 'doing something else' don't usually affect other cars - just riders.

 

[Cubist]

Vike, not wanting to make you jealous, but:

Just a taster, but the team that covers this area have nice Meridas.

 

[wafflycat]

Most Police just get ssued whatever they are given, unfortunately there is still very little understanding from the brass about the benefits and therefore the requirements needed for an officers or PCSO's bike.
W can't have lightweight, race bikes due to the amount of kit we carry. The Police will not spend a grand on each bike (which they should IMHO) due to finacial constraints and public opinion. They also have a lack of understanding about the uniform cyclists need issuing and the training required. Although that is changing slowly.
In The US, Police Bikes are big Buisness, with speacials available form Cannondale, Trek, Volcanic, Speacialised and Gun Makers Smith & Wesson. Here in the UK the only company getting involved is WHYTE.
MOntague/Swiss Bike do thier Folding Paratrooper in EMS livery (a very good bike for our needs for many reasons). There is a partnership between Halfords and a company called Creative Innovative Technology making Carrera bikes availble in Police livery. USE, the light people, also do Flashing Blue versions of thier Jostixx and MAXX lights for EMS use. Endura are also making speacialist Police Uniform based on thier range of clothing.

At the CycleShow at ExCeL, the years I went (didn't go in 08), there was always a police stand - indeed, a couple of the police manning the stand were regular posters from a different forum. Good blokes. The bikes were on display and at least one was definitely a Smith & Wesson. So there's some constabulary out there somewhere were decent bikes, fit for police purpose are being used.

 

[Origamist]

Interesting thread!
I do wish that police on bicycles would regularly target the lines of slow moving traffic (not so slow in places) where people drive, phone, read, make up with impunity.
£1000 minimum automatic penalty would be a pleasant prescription for a wavering, ignorant motorist I think. Trouble is, all those subtle 'adjustments' made to driving whilst 'doing something else' don't usually affect other cars - just riders.

Be careful what you wish for:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/article5769343.ece

 

[Vikeonabike]

At the CycleShow at ExCeL, the years I went (didn't go in 08), there was always a police stand - indeed, a couple of the police manning the stand were regular posters from a different forum. Good blokes. The bikes were on display and at least one was definitely a Smith & Wesson. So there's some constabulary out there somewhere were decent bikes, fit for police purpose are being used.

Waffly, That would be Charlie Irvine and his team from PSC, good bloke and leading the way with Emergency Services Cycling.

Cubist......Very Jealous

 

[downfader]

This has turned into a pretty good thread.

Actually I mean to write a letter of thanks to the Police for the way they dealt with my accident, I might put in a mention about cycle-cops.

 

[wafflycat]

Waffly, That would be Charlie Irvine and his team from PSC, good bloke and leading the way with Emergency Services Cycling.

Cubist......Very Jealous

Not ones I know - different names

 

[Will1985]

It's a no-contest thomas! I once saw a policeman on a bike in the distance near Cinema City (I was at the lights by St Andrews car park) and I shot past him before he had reached Bank Plain. They really are useless....clipless shoes might help a bit.

 

[thomas]

It's a no-contest thomas! I once saw a policeman on a bike in the distance near Cinema City (I was at the lights by St Andrews car park) and I shot past him before he had reached Bank Plain. They really are useless....clipless shoes might help a bit.

To make it fair, next time I'll offer them to a mini race ....let them know I'm actually racing them - haha . To be fair, the amount of time they took getting off the roundabout probably meant I could get to work before any of the other cars tried to cut me up .

Seriously though, I think if there were more police on bikes going around, cycling properly (which they seemed to be doing on the roundabout - holding the middle, etc), the motorists would maybe get a bit more patient - you'd really have to swamp a place though to make a massive difference. Maybe they should have undercover cycle patrols .


On another note, when I was rewatching the video I thought I saw a taxi that cut in really close them pointed to the kerb (right by a pinch point), from the other day. It was the same model and colour, but different taxi - shame really otherwise I could of pointed out how he'd of treated them differently.

 

[wafflycat]

I would have thought that due to all the equipment cycling plod have to carry, there's no way they are going to be *as fast* as fit-young-roadie. But that's not the whole point really. Cycling plod have many functions - being on MTBs, and with proper training, they can negotiate terrain motorised plod can't, plus can be quicker than motorised plod in cities, can err... go along footpaths where motorised plod can't, and all of these have their uses. Add into that that they are highly visible, which is GOOD, for general public reassurance, plus they help 'normalise' cycling, plus they can be ice-breakers with local yoof, who will be interested in MTBs, so good for community relations, so there's a crime prevention role there not only a 'you're nicked' role.