Officer put the pedal to the pavement on bike patrol

Riding on police bike patrol isn’t as easy as riding a bike.

There were many crushed cones and frequent falls as 39 officers made their way through Dayton police’s obstacle course. Ten jurisdictions sent officers to the free International Police Mountain Bike Association training class to receive bike patrol certifications. On his first day attempting a tight box turn at slow speeds, Officer Mike Cable with Central State University police said he had a lot to learn.

“These guys make it look easy and it’s definitely not,” Cable said.

As warm weather descends and more people spend time outside, bike patrols become a key component of any department wishing officers to be out among the citizens. Being on a bike allows officers to be more approachable, while also offering them the ability to move through traffic and into small spaces with greater ease than a cruiser, said Officer Jeff Brown, an instructor with Dayton police.

“The advantage is you can get to most calls usually quicker than a car can, and a lot quieter, a lot more stealth operations,” Brown said.

The five-day class will offer classroom and hands-on bike training. Officers will learn firearms skills and off-road riding techniques. Many times officers will be moving at slow speeds under tight space constraints, so learning how to maintain their balance is key, Brown said.

Bike patrol also offers the chance to interact with people, Cable said, while getting some exercise.

“This class is tough but at the same time it’s really fun,” he said. “We’re all out here sweating and getting in shape a little bit.”

The course runs through May 22. Officers from Beavercreek, Central State, Dayton, Enon, Grandview Hospital, Huber Heights, Sinclair, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Wright State and Xenia are participating.

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