The Bicycle Patrol Unit primarily focuses on areas such as the downtown business district, city parks, alleys, trails and other areas not as accessible for a patrol car. Bicycle officers focus their time on bicycle traffic throughout the city, enforcing traffic laws as they relate to bicycles, and assisting with enforcement of animal regulations at parks and trails. During non-busy times, our officers can be found conducting property checks of commercial and public property.
Bicycle officers often participate in community events such as parades, the Sweet Pea Festival, bike rodeos and fitting bicycle helmets for children. Depending on the weather, bicycle officers can ride as early as March and as late as December.
Each officer who wishes to be a bicycle patrol officer must successfully complete a strenuous, specialized training in nutrition and fitness, bicycle injuries, bicycle maintenance and riding a bicycle on places other than paved roads, such as dirt trails, sidewalks and stairways.