Bicycle patrols: an underutilized resource

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide information on the activities of police bicycle patrols. Design/methodology/approach – A participant/observation research design was used. A five-city, 32-shift study on the output of police bicycle patrols was conducted. Same and similar ride-alongs were conducted with bicycle and automobile patrols. All contacts (n 1⁄4 1,105) with the public were recorded and coded. These data included: number of people, tenor, seriousness and origination for each contact. Findings – Analysis of these data provides evidence that bicycle patrols result in over twice as much contact with the public compared with automobile patrols. The field observation perspective revealed clear tactical advantages to bicycle patrols. Research limitations/implications – With a limited prior study of a police bicycle patrol’s activities, this study is a significant initial step. Practical implications – With evidence of tactical and numerical public contact advantages, more attention and resources aimed at deployment of police bicycle patrols appear to be warranted. Originality/value – With large US cities and other departments using bicycle patrols, preliminary information on effectiveness appears to be both original and of value.