Chatting to a Police Cyclist Today

[[Not Responding]]

The working police presence (as opposed to the ceremonial top cats) at
the council's AGM today was provided by policemen on bicycles for a
change. I took it as an indication that the recent introduction[1] of
bikes is seen as a serious police tool rather than symbolism

The policeman was very keen on using the bike; citing ability to cover
a large area and the silent approach as two advantages. The big
difference between modern cycle-policing and that of the past (he was
old enough to have done that) he said, was not so much the new bikes
as the fact that a cycling uniform has been introduced. A polo shirt
and cycle helmet[2] being more pleasant to ride in than a tunic and
"big hat".

The bike was a very unsouped up and non-descript MTB. Apart from the
word "POLICE" along the top tube, it could have been bought from
Halfords. In fact, I suspect it was; identical to my Carrera Subway 8,
the top tube went from a circular tube at the front to a square tube
at the seat tube end. I don't know much about MTBs but to me that
seems pretty unique. Bog standard pair of black panniers (no Police
logo or hi viz) clipped to a Bor Yueh rack.

It was also looking rather used and, let's face it, in need of a
clean.

[1] As reported here

http://www.portsmouthtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=457&ArticleID=798919

[2] IMO,cycling helmets are acceptable on coppers on the basis that
they *do* also wear a helmet when walking.

[Nathaniel Porter]

"[Not Responding]" > wrote in message
...
>
> [2] IMO,cycling helmets are acceptable on coppers on the basis that
> they *do* also wear a helmet when walking.

Out of interest do you know if the helmet worn to indicate authority, or
because the safety nazis have decided it would be too dangerous to cycle
without one?

[Paul - xxx]

[Not Responding] posted:

> [2] IMO,cycling helmets are acceptable on coppers on the basis that
> they *do* also wear a helmet when walking.

And are definitely potential victims of blows to the head with blunt
instruments .. ;)

--
Paul ...

(8(|) ... Homer Rocks

[Simonb]

Speaking of coppers on bikes in Pompey, there's quite often a Hants Pol
Cycle Club member on the track at the Mountbatten Centre on Weds/Fridays.

[[Not Responding]]

On Thu, 17 Jun 2004 18:28:04 +0100, "Nathaniel Porter"
> wrote:

>
>"[Not Responding]" > wrote in message
...
>>
>> [2] IMO,cycling helmets are acceptable on coppers on the basis that
>> they *do* also wear a helmet when walking.
>
>Out of interest do you know if the helmet worn to indicate authority, or
>because the safety nazis have decided it would be too dangerous to cycle
>without one?
>

I'm sure that the Risk Assessment is just as bad as I imagine it to
be. But it doesn't really matter; policemen wear helmets as a matter
of course while on foot so wearing them on bikes and doing the same
job is logical.

[Just zis Guy, you know?]

On Thu, 17 Jun 2004 18:07:26 +0100, "[Not Responding]"
> wrote in message
>:

>The working police presence (as opposed to the ceremonial top cats) at
>the council's AGM today was provided by policemen on bicycles for a
>change. I took it as an indication that the recent introduction[1] of
>bikes is seen as a serious police tool rather than symbolism

Seems fair. There are two bike plod around here; one is a long-term
fixture, PC Stratton, the other was riding a Pashley and wearing
normal plod uniform (plus bicycle clips) including traditional wooden
hat, which looked very retro and entirely reassuring - you felt as if
any minute now it would be 1950 and there would be cake and lashings
of ginger beer for tea :-)

Guy
--
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk

88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at Washington University

[Arthur Clune]

[Not Responding] > wrote:

: The policeman was very keen on using the bike; citing ability to cover
: a large area and the silent approach as two advantages. The big

THe bike police round here are very good. They have the keys to the
school grounds near me and can ride in silently and shift on all
the local yoofs. Sorted. And obviously they can protrol the bike paths.

THere's an article on them in either the current Singletrack or the
last one.

Arthur

--
Arthur Clune http://www.clune.org
"Technolibertarians make a philosophy out of a personality defect"
- Paulina Borsook

[Arthur Clune]

Nathaniel Porter > wrote:

: Out of interest do you know if the helmet worn to indicate authority, or
: because the safety nazis have decided it would be too dangerous to cycle
: without one?

Even non-cycling coppers wear helmets last time I looked :)

A bike helmet would work reasonable well against a blow to the head, which
is a bit of a hazard of being a copper.

The York bike cops have nice MTB's with discs+sus forks, bike-specific uniform
+ helmet. Looks the business.

Arthur

--
Arthur Clune http://www.clune.org
"Technolibertarians make a philosophy out of a personality defect"
- Paulina Borsook

[Brian Drury]

"Arthur Clune" > wrote in message
...
> Nathaniel Porter > wrote:
>
> : Out of interest do you know if the helmet worn to indicate authority, or
> : because the safety nazis have decided it would be too dangerous to cycle
> : without one?
>

The helmet seems to be more of a platform for the CCTV camera fixed to it.
There really is one! have another look.

The bicycle police on Brighton seafront have the same thing.

Brian

[Tony Raven]

[Not Responding] wrote:
> The working police presence (as opposed to the ceremonial top cats) at
> the council's AGM today was provided by policemen on bicycles for a
> change. I took it as an indication that the recent introduction[1] of
> bikes is seen as a serious police tool rather than symbolism
>

If you go to the car park of the Pompey Council offices you will see a long
line of bikes for staff to use for local journeys. Fitted complete with
panniers for carrying stuff. So someone on the Council is obviously keen.

Tony

[Peter Clinch]

[Not Responding] wrote:

> [2] IMO,cycling helmets are acceptable on coppers on the basis that
> they *do* also wear a helmet when walking.

Not in Tayside they don't. Or many other places IME, caps (and the
women's equivalents) being the usual AFAICT.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

[Simon Brooke]

in message >, Tony Raven
') wrote:

> [Not Responding] wrote:
>> The working police presence (as opposed to the ceremonial top cats)
>> at the council's AGM today was provided by policemen on bicycles for
>> a change. I took it as an indication that the recent introduction[1]
>> of bikes is seen as a serious police tool rather than symbolism
>>
>
> If you go to the car park of the Pompey Council offices you will see a
> long
> line of bikes for staff to use for local journeys. Fitted complete
> with
> panniers for carrying stuff. So someone on the Council is obviously
> keen.

Do they get used?

--
(Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
;; Skill without imagination is craftsmanship and gives us
;; many useful objects such as wickerwork picnic baskets.
;; Imagination without skill gives us modern art.
;; Tom Stoppard, Artist Descending A Staircase

[David Hansen]

On Thu, 17 Jun 2004 19:33:23 +0100 someone who may be "[Not
Responding]" > wrote this:-

>policemen wear helmets as a matter
>of course while on foot so wearing them on bikes and doing the same
>job is logical.

They don't here.

However, the "safety" mob have decided that they should wear them on
bikes.


--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E
I will always explain revoked keys, unless the UK government
prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

[Tony Raven]

Simon Brooke wrote:
>>
>> If you go to the car park of the Pompey Council offices you will see a
>> long
>> line of bikes for staff to use for local journeys. Fitted complete
>> with
>> panniers for carrying stuff. So someone on the Council is obviously
>> keen.
>
> Do they get used?

They looked used.

Tony

[Ambrose Nankivell]

In ,
Arthur Clune > typed:
> [Not Responding] > wrote:
>
>> The policeman was very keen on using the bike; citing ability to
>> cover a large area and the silent approach as two advantages. The big
>
> THe bike police round here are very good. They have the keys to the
> school grounds near me and can ride in silently and shift on all
> the local yoofs. Sorted. And obviously they can protrol the bike
> paths.
>
> THere's an article on them in either the current Singletrack or the
> last one.

Yeah, the journalist (can't remember who it was) felt a bit shown up by the
way they went up and down steps. Top article.

A