Corby Blue

When the Police aren’t allegedly trying to scam their way to literally a few hundred pounds in the ride to work scheme, they also occasionally ride bikes while at work.

Many police forces have used bikes for a while now but one has had to delay the start of patrols as officers need more training. Northamptonshire Police have put back the start of their bike patrols to the summer, until the cycling cops can undergo a 10 hour training course. Personally I think it’s probably just a ruse to stay in warm and dry cars until the weather improves a little and riding a bike around all day seems like a more attractive option, but it’s led to a degree of outcry from areas of the press and from Northamptonshire councillors who seem to think that anyone can ride a bike and there’s no need for any extra training.

It might surprise regular readers to hear that I actually do think that decent training for police cyclists is a great idea. Admittedly riding a bike is not hard, and many people can get on a bike and make it go forwards, but to ride a bike well takes a bit more time and learning. The recent better weather has brought a load of fair-weather cyclists out and serves to show exactly what I mean, as less-experienced people suddenly swamp the roads. A touch of rain, or an unexpected change in conditions and these cyclists are leaving their bikes at work to catch the bus home, or in all sorts of difficulties.

The police should be able to deal with these changes, but may not already have the skills. All police drivers have extra training before they’re allowed out in the cars, so why not do the same for cyclists. Not only should they be confident, but also setting an example of responsible and strong riding, as well as able to cope with wherever a chase might take them. There would be very little point a bike patrol chasing someone down. Only to be stalled at a flight of steps. Let’s face it the skills (and tight tee-shirts) you need to emulate Pacific Blue aren’t what everyone has on a bike.



Hopefully one day soon the streets of Northamptonshire will be safe, patrolled by beautiful people on bikes, with Hans Rey only taking over to pull of the really big jumps.

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