Police bicycle
Information about Police bicycle
A Police bicycle is a land vehicle used by various police departments, most commonly in the form of a mountain bicycle. They are custom designed to meet the requirements unique to each department.
The maneuverability of these vehicles on crowded sidewalks and their ability to navigate narrow, crowded driveways offer advantages over what is provided by more traditional police vehicles.
Bicycle patrols are more common in temperate urban areas where limited coverage areas are available. The use of bicycles instead of cars can make police officers more easily approachable, especially in low-crime areas. Bicycles can also be issued to police officers to enhance the mobility and range of foot patrols. Bicycles are also highly effective crime-fighting tools when used in densely populated urban areas. The bikes are nearly silent in operation and many criminals do not realize that an approaching person on a bike is actually a police officer.
Some countries retained the police bicycle while others dispensed with them for a time. Late in the century, urban bicycle patrols became more common, as the mobility of car-borne officers was increasingly limited by traffic congestion and pedestrianisation.
The bicycles are custom designed for law enforcement use. Smith and Wesson is a very popular patrol bike. Many manufacturers of bicycles offer police models, including Trek, Cannondale and Fuji. Other companies offer police, fire and EMS specific models, including Volcanic Manufacturing in Olympia, Washington. Many are equipped with a rear rack and bag to hold equipment.
They are equipped with front and rear lighting systems, with a water bottle battery. The lights can be LED, or halogen, or sometimes Xenon strobes. A headlight(s) are on the front, along with red or blue flashing lights. A red light is often attached to the rear of the bike.
The maneuverability of these vehicles on crowded sidewalks and their ability to navigate narrow, crowded driveways offer advantages over what is provided by more traditional police vehicles.
Bicycle patrols are more common in temperate urban areas where limited coverage areas are available. The use of bicycles instead of cars can make police officers more easily approachable, especially in low-crime areas. Bicycles can also be issued to police officers to enhance the mobility and range of foot patrols. Bicycles are also highly effective crime-fighting tools when used in densely populated urban areas. The bikes are nearly silent in operation and many criminals do not realize that an approaching person on a bike is actually a police officer.
History
Police officers adopted the bicycle early in the 20th century, initially using their own. However, they eventually became a standard issue, particularly for police in rural areas. The Kent police[1] purchased 20 bicycles in 1896, and by 1904 129 rural police bicycle patrols were operating.Some countries retained the police bicycle while others dispensed with them for a time. Late in the century, urban bicycle patrols became more common, as the mobility of car-borne officers was increasingly limited by traffic congestion and pedestrianisation.
Bicycle characteristics
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British police officers on custom Smith and Wesson bicycles
They are equipped with front and rear lighting systems, with a water bottle battery. The lights can be LED, or halogen, or sometimes Xenon strobes. A headlight(s) are on the front, along with red or blue flashing lights. A red light is often attached to the rear of the bike.
Training
The International Police Mountain Bike Association offers training as well as an annual conference called Police On Bikes. The course has its roots in John Forester's Effective Cycling.See also
- Utility cycling for other uses of bicycles
- Bicycle infantry
External links
- International Police Mountain Bike Association
- Police on bikes from LS8
- Photograph of British Police bicycle in the 1960s
- Paul Sample. The History of Wiltshire Constabulary 1839–2003.
- Cycle force UK, sole importers of Smith and Wesson MTB
References
Vehicles are non-living means of transport. They are most often man-made (e.g. bicycles, cars, motorcycles, trains, ships, and aircraft), although some other means of transport which are not made by man can also be called vehicles; examples include icebergs and floating tree trunks.
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mountain bike or mountain bicycle (abbreviated MTB or ATB (All Terrain Bicycle)) is a bicycle designed for mountain biking, either on dirt trails or other unpaved environments. In contrast, road bicycles are not rugged enough for such terrain.
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An urban area is an area with an increased density of human-created structures in comparison to the areas surrounding it. This term is at one end of the spectrum of suburban and rural areas. An urban area is more frequently called a city or town.
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A police officer (or policeman/policewoman) is a warranted worker of a police force. The responsibilities of a police officer are to maintain public order, prevent and detect crime and apprehend offenders, using force when necessary.
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Car-free zones (also known as auto-free zones and pedestrianised zones) are areas of a city or town in which automobile traffic is prohibited. They are instituted by communities who feel that it is desirable to have areas not dominated by the automobile.
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Smith & Wesson Holding Corp.
Public NYSE: SWHC
Founded 1852
Founder Horace Smith, Daniel B. Wesson
Headquarters Springfield, Massachusetts, United States of America
Key people Michael F. Golden (CEO), John A.
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Public NYSE: SWHC
Founded 1852
Founder Horace Smith, Daniel B. Wesson
Headquarters Springfield, Massachusetts, United States of America
Key people Michael F. Golden (CEO), John A.
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Trek Bicycle Corporation.
Private
Founded 1976
Headquarters Waterloo, Wisconsin
Key people John Burke, President
Industry Bicycles
Products Bicycle and Related Components
Revenue undisclosed
Employees undisclosed
Website www.trekbikes.
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Private
Founded 1976
Headquarters Waterloo, Wisconsin
Key people John Burke, President
Industry Bicycles
Products Bicycle and Related Components
Revenue undisclosed
Employees undisclosed
Website www.trekbikes.
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The Cannondale Bicycle Corporation is a major American bicycle manufacturer, headquartered in Bethel, Connecticut USA and manufactured in Bedford, Pennsylvania USA. The company was founded in 1971 by Joe Montgomery to manufacture backpacks and bags for camping and later bicycle
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Fuji Advanced Sports, Inc., better known as Fuji Bikes, is an American manufacturer of bicycles originally established in Japan in 1899. The company takes its name and logo from Mount Fuji, a Japanese symbol of strength and endurance.
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An Emergency medical service (abbreviated to initialism "EMS" in many countries) is a service providing out-of-hospital acute care and transport to definitive care, to patients with illnesses and injuries which the patient believes constitutes a medical emergency.
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Effective Cycling is a trademarked cycling educational program designed by John Forester, which was the national education program of the League of American Wheelmen for a number of years.
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Utility cycling encompasses any cycling not done primarily for fitness, recreation such as cycle touring, or sport such as cycle racing, but simply as a means of transport. It is the most common type of cycling in the world.
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Bicycle infantry are infantry soldiers who maneuver on the battlefield using bicycles. The term dates from the late 19th century, when the "safety bicycle" became popular in Europe, the United States and Australia.
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