Gas Prices Fuel Comeback Of Bike Patrols

Police Departments Across U.S. Revive Cost-Effective Tactic To Save Money

(AP)  Since even the long arm of the law can't rein in fuel prices, some police departments are dusting off their bikes and turning to pedal power.

As the price of gas approaches $4 across the country, law enforcement is feeling the pinch just like everyone else. Some departments are encouraging more foot patrols, while others are discouraging officers from letting their engines idle or making them travel in twos.

Now, departments are also going back to a community policing tactic that had fallen by the wayside in many places: bicycle patrols.

"You think the car's the great savior of us all, but in urban areas and dense areas, you're probably better off on a bike," said Chris Menton, an associate professor in the School of Justice Studies at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island, who has studied police bike patrols.

In the 1980s and 1990s, bike patrols were a new concept and many departments were starting them, said Wes Branham, a police officer with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in North Carolina. But after 9-11, he said, they went "totally out the door. Money went elsewhere."

Now, rising gas prices are encouraging departments to get those bikes back off the rack.

Branham, who heads his department's bike unit, said it began with two officers in 1994 and has grown to 25 full-time officers and 150 part-time riders. The department has about 1,800 officers.

The Law Enforcement Bicycle Association has been touting gas savings in its training courses, too, Branham said.

"Departments are just trying to find more economical ways to patrol," he said. "A lot of departments are starting to realize they're getting a lot of bang for their buck with a bike."

In the tiny western Pennsylvania borough of Hollidaysburg, police Chief Jeff Ketner said high gas prices prompted him to resume daily bike patrols several weeks ago.

The department's regular bike patrol had fallen by the wayside and was mainly being used for special events. Ketner resurrected the program after realizing he was on pace to go $6,000 over budget on the department's four vehicles by the end of the year.

Departments all across the country are making similar decisions.

In Clive, Iowa, a Des Moines suburb, Police Chief Robert Cox said more officers will be biking and walking to save gas.

With gas at more than $3.50 a gallon, Cox said his department has already spent its 2007-08 budget of nearly $41,000, which allotted $2.40 a gallon for 17,000 gallons.

It's the same story in Toledo, Ohio. Chief Mike Navarre said that, although the department has long had bikes, he has been telling his officers to use them more, and walk more, to save gas.

Police bike organizations say they are starting to notice the spike in interest.

"Gas is one of a number of factors that come together in terms of establishing, revitalizing or expanding a unit," said Maureen Becker, executive director of the Baltimore-based International Police Mountain Bike Association, which provides training and resources to public safety agencies.

Even departments that implemented bike units for other reasons are noticing gas savings.

In Bedford, Va., the police department bought eight bikes last year and are now saving 200 to 400 gallons of fuel per month, said Lt. Jim Bennett, who's in charge of the bike unit for the department. The benefit is twofold, he said, with cost savings and increased police visibility.

Bike patrols do have limitations. Weather can be a problem and they also can't be used to transport suspects or engage in vehicle chases.

But advocates say the benefits of cost savings and public visibility are worth it. Bikes also can go places cars can't.

Trek Bicycle Corp., in Waterloo, Wis., sells more than 1,000 police bikes a year and sales have been going up for three years, said Stefan Downing, who manages the company's police bike program. He said rising gas prices have probably been a factor.

The prices of police bikes vary, but they typically cost about $1,100, Downing said. They are typically rugged mountain bikes; Trek also offers police a silent hub that doesn't make the ratcheting sound that typical hubs make.

Proponents point out that biking helps keep officers in good shape, too.

"I keep myself in pretty good shape, but it's hard," said Hollidaysburg Sgt. David Gehret, 46. "I'm primarily a desk sergeant ... it was really nice to get out and about."

[acolton1]

I have lived in Portland Oregon and Seattle Washington and they both had bike patrols. I think its a great IDEA. I have seen a Seattle Cop chase down a shop lifter on his bike and also give tickets to people who run red lights because people dont look for cops on bikes. It takes a partol car off the road and these cops on bikes are not fat donought cops either. The cops on bikes in Portland and Seattle seem to always be friendly and nice.

[naucoming4u]

Mounted patrols also save money...AND they provide organic fertilizer for city parks!

Posted by rf35 at 04:37 PM : May 27, 2008
............

...and for the sidewalks

...and for the streets

...and for the shoes of the people who step in it!

Like one poster said, put them on a powered scooter, electric or otherwise.

[rf35]

Mounted patrols also save money...AND they provide organic fertilizer for city parks!

[libh8er]

Work off those donuts!!!!

[obcessed]

When 911 happened....I was convinced that Osama Ben Laden posed our biggest threat for "TERRORIST ATTACK"......but I was WRONG!

Our government spent BILLIONS of dollars for "Bells and whistles" type of "JUNK" for fire departments, police Deptments ect.. all over the country.....all in the name of "Homeland Security". Supposedly to "PROTECT" us from the threat of terrorist attack from foreign lands.....

Yet turned a blind eye to the REAL acts of TERRORISM...the wholesale "Rape and Pillage" of the American People....by BIG OIL COMPANIES!!

One "Definition" of Terrorism, is the "use of Fear, Violence, unconventional methods and tactics... and/or the use of phycological warfare....to "Control" a target group of people for idealogical objectives and/or for the personal gain of the attacking group"

Hmmmmmm......On one side we have Big Oil Companies raking in BILLIONS and BILLIONS of dollars in PROFITS...and I quote " All in the Best interests of our shareholders"......while on the "other side" we have Millions of hard working American people....SCARED TO DEATH ...because every day they face the distinct posibility of losing their homes...their jobs...or even their way of life!.......sure sounds like "Terrorism" to me!

May not be as "Quick and Deadly" as other methods.....but the results are still the same!

[sistatee-2009]

What''s funny is that the more you conserve, the more gas is going to cost. The oil companies AIN''T GONNA ACCEPT LESS REVENUE THIS YEAR THAN THEY HAD LAST YEAR! If only one gallon of gas was sold each year, it would cost ten trillion dollars for that gallon.

[dobbershome]

Next time you have to call 911 just think about these guys pedalling there arses off to get to ya.

why the heck don''t they give them electric bikes, or scooters? They don''t cost that much more, and they go faster. crazy.

[naucoming4u]

If Chris Farley were still alive...

... I could totally imagine him doing a skit about cops on bikes on SNL!

I''m laughing my A$$ off just thinking about it!

LOL!