Police guide to riding a bike...

[bottombracket]

Police guidelines for bicycle-mounted cops are getting a bit of stick...

I find it interesting that both journos seem to have written almost the same copycat article (using the same quotes) but no source is cited...

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ount-3-use-brakes-stop.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/new...the-lemon-curd-and-watch-out-for-insects.html

 

[Piemaster]

Must be a slow news day.
Believe one of our forumites, Vikeonabike, is a cycling officer. I suspect the whole document (which is probably sensible 'Cyclecraft' type advice) will have a lot more advice than that reported in the newspapers. Wasn't there a cycling officer killed last year? There will be an assumption that any officer going out on patrol is NOT a regular cyclist (even if they are) and the document created for that knowledge level.
Also most of us do not need the specialist knowledge of how to apprehend miscreants whilst on patrol. I'd also be surprised if officers in motorised vehicles are not given similar appropriate advice for their transport.

 

[snailracer]

Journos really need a manual - to stop them writing misleading drivel about stuff they know nothing about.

 

[Banjo]

Most of the stuff quoted seemed like fairly sensible stuff you would read in any book aimed at beginners to cycling. Of course taking bits of it out of context is an easy (cheap) way for a journo to write something alledgedly amusing.

 

[sparty69]

This is purely down to the Health & Safety system we have this country and is indicative of the litigious society in which we now live. In other words, it's an arse covering exercise by each Police Force, so that if one of their officers has an accident or some other kind of mishap while cycling, then they can't be sued by that officer. Yes, we also have this same kind of crap to endure when driving Police vehicles, and in every other aspect of Police work. There are so many things to consider now before we decide to pursue a vehicle that 9 times out of 10 it's just not worth it. If we do and the wheel comes off (not literally), then we know that we will not receive the support of our employers. In fact they will be the first in line to try and shaft us!

 

[Jezston]

Is The Taxpayers Alliance a subsidary of The Mail Group?

Every time there's a story like this in the Mail or Metro there's always some quote from this right wing group complaining when they feel money is wasted on something that doesn't fit their own political standpoint.

 

[subaqua]

Is The Taxpayers Alliance a subsidary of The Mail Group?

Every time there's a story like this in the Mail or Metro there's always some quote from this right wing group complaining when they feel money is wasted on something that doesn't fit their own political standpoint.

so its not just me who thinks that then .

 

[buddha]

I didn't realise the bit about "‘there are swarms of insects often attracted by bright fluorescent colours the cyclist is wearing"
Which probably explains the number of parasites around Canary Wharf when I cycled through

 

[palinurus]

I didn't realise the bit about "‘there are swarms of insects often attracted by bright fluorescent colours the cyclist is wearing"

I marshalled at a TT last July. Bugs sure like bright orange.

 

[Mad at urage]

[quote name='a member of parliament's cycling group']
Andrew Rosindell, Tory MP for Romford and a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Cycling Group, said: ‘This sounds like a complete waste of time and, most likely, money. ‘Most people learn the basics of riding a bike by the time they are seven and you tend not to forget.’
[/quote]
So cycle training is a waste of time, according to "a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Cycling Group"? Oh dear! I wonder what people like CTC, IAM etc think of that.

Perhaps Andrew Rosindell thinks also that Most people learn the basics of driving a car by the time they are seventeen and you not to forget also?

 

[format]

Is The Taxpayers Alliance a subsidary of The Mail Group?

Every time there's a story like this in the Mail or Metro there's always some quote from this right wing group complaining when they feel money is wasted on something that doesn't fit their own political standpoint.

Funny thing is, from what I can tell a lot of the founders/beneficiaries of the TPA are non domiciled!

 

[Bodhbh]

Pretty sure this story came out last year, or at least one identical to it.

 

[Paulus]

My Son is in the Hertfordshire Police and indeed does ride his bike whilst at work. He was given a half day course and assessment on how to ride his bike and then he was issued with some very good cycling gear, shorts, tops, gloves and the obligatory helmet. There has never been any manual given to him regarding nutrition etc. Of course some forces may of. I think this is just a piece of sloppy journalism on a slow news day where various bits of information has been cobbled together from various forces to try and make a story, so the TBA can get a quote in.

 

[Vikeonabike]

Drives me potty this subject ( as most of you know). Unfortunately it's not just the press and public that think you can just get on a bike and ride in policing situations. The amount of constabularies that have no interest in thier officers being safe/comfortable on a bike is ridiculous.
There should be a two tier training system Nationally for Police Cyclists. PCSO's At least should get full Bikeability training. Police Officers should be getting trained up fully on all aspects of riding / pursuit / obstacles / defence / etc. Even giving officer the right uniform for the job would be a start. Now thats not all officers, just the ones who WANT to ride. It's not everyones cup of tea, I know a couple of roughty tuffty fire arms officers that think I have a screw loose riding a bike at work.
Most of us on here would agree, riding a bike is easy, riding a bike in city traffic a little less so. Pursuing somebody through that traffic, being aware of your own safety, that of errant pedestrians, getting off the bike at 10 -15 mph, into a run (Cyclo crossers be quiet) and then a taking someone to ground without injuring yourself, or them is not what we are taught as 7 year olds in the playground.
Needs a bit of training I would have thought!

Paulus Glad to see Herts have already got the right kit, we are joining up with them and beds for uniforms etc...so I may have shorts by he summer! Do they have training courses too?

 

[dellzeqq]

Most of us on here would agree, riding a bike is easy, riding a bike in city traffic a little less so. Pursuing somebody through that traffic, being aware of your own safety, that of errant pedestrians, getting off the bike at 10 -15 mph, into a run (Cyclo crossers be quiet) and then a taking someone to ground without injuring yourself, or them is not what we are taught as 7 year olds in the playground.

well, quite. I'm darn sure I couldn't do the job.

Am i right in thinking that you have to ride a bike down a set of steps?