Author: ukemergency

A group of 17 police officers and paramedics…



A group of 17 police officers and paramedics pose for a photograph during a IPMBA (International Police Mountain Bike Association) training course. Representatives from West Mercia Police, Dorset Ambulance, North Yorks. Police and Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance prepare for life as a cycling emergency responder.

This silver mountain bike is a Giant Terrago…



This silver mountain bike is a Giant Terrago. It is one of four bikes used by Kensington and Chelsea Parks Police in London. The only emergency warning equipment fitted is a white light and an air horn. The bottle can be pressurised using a normal cycle tyre pump. The red plate then folds down and operates the very loud horn (see inset).

A closer look at the cycle. Notice the…



A closer look at the cycle. Notice the subtle ‘police’ wording and lack of emergency warning equipment. To get from the police station to the patrol area, the bike and officer go by train – of course!

A Thames Valley police officer on cycle patrol…



A Thames Valley police officer on cycle patrol. Notice the microphone appearing from the helmet, and the spiral cable to the handle bar. This cable is linked to a push-to-talk switch so communication can be made whilst cycling without any loss of control.

This is a City of London Police cycle…



This is a City of London Police cycle, used in the ‘square mile’. It has a rack-top black bag with police logos, as well as ‘police’ writing on the specialist mountain bike frame. The rear has a small matrix of flashing lights, and the front has a similar arrangement but with a handy notepad on top!

To increase the presence of the cycle when…



To increase the presence of the cycle when it is not being ridden, this one has a high-visibility cover on the rear, complete with police logos. This is useful when the bike is being used to block a street for example.

West Yorkshire police started using mountain bikes in…



West Yorkshire police started using mountain bikes in Leeds at the end of 2004. Here is an example of their chosen equipment. It is a white S&W mountain bike and has blue lights and a siren on the handlebar, and a liveried rack-top bag. The West York. riders are in the background.

This is an example of a North Wales…



This is an example of a North Wales police mountain bike. It is liveried in reflective battenburg markings, just as you would find on police motor vehicles. Notice the cycle-specific uniform of the officer.

This is Nottingham Police’s Meadows bike patrol team…



This is Nottingham Police’s Meadows bike patrol team. These photos were taken when the unit was first set up in April 1999. The bikes are fitted with two large white lights to the front. Also notice the uniforms are a mix of cycle-specific and standard clothing: the helmets have miniature boom microphones fitted, but the footwear remains standard leather shoes.