University Police Mountain Bike Unit

The unit was created in June of 1993 with 5 police officers and 5 Trek Mountain bicycles. All members are full time, sworn police officers and received training from certified instructors. All members of the Mountain Bike unit are involved with our community policing out reach to the community program. The officers are engaged in a vast array of assignments which include, but are not limited to, directed patrol, targeted areas, enforcement of traffic laws, bicycle safety programs, daycare programs and special events.

The bicycle patrol units have been a successful and positive method of patrol. The bike has been utilized to augment the academic foot patrols and resident hall patrols. The bike patrol officer is perfectly suited for both traditional as well as non-traditional forms of patrol, as well as community contact. Bike patrols are perfectly suited for our campus environment and are a benefit at a fraction of the cost of vehicles. While the visibility and pressure of bicycle mounted police officers are a benefit to the community, one of the strongest advantages of the bicycle is the ability to approach crimes in progress without being seen or heard.

Safety Comes First

The most important thing to remember about bicycling is that helmets are a secondary safety measure to good common sense. Bicycle safety will always require your active thought and application of judgement while riding. Each year approximately 800-900 Americans die of bicycle related injuries!

New York State reports that since it introduced its first helmet law in 1989 for passengers under 5 and its second in 1994 for riders under 14, the annual rate of cyclists hospitalized from bicycle-related traumatic brain injuries has fallen for the under 14 group from 464 in 1990 to 209 in 1995. The rate for cyclists 14 and over for the same years declines less rapidly, from 454 to 382. Under New York State law, it is the parents responsibility to ensure that your child bicycle rider under 14 and passenger under 5 wear a bicycle helmet when riding. Adults providing a good example for children by wearing a helmet when bicycling can accomplish this.

Use Your Head

Bicyclists hospitalized with head injuries are 20 times more likely to die as those without. Protect your head, wear a helmet. Select a helmet that fits snug but comfortable.

Look for helmets that are recommended by (ANSI) American National Standards or SNELL Memorial Foundations.
See and be seen, wear proper clothing. Clothing should be light in color and close fitting to your body so that it does not get caught in moving parts of the bicycle. Do not let unsecured items dangle from the bike.
Go with the flow of traffic, the safe way is the right way. You are a vehicle when riding your bicycle. You must obey all rules of the road, this includes traffic signs, signals and road markings. Ride of the right side of the road in single file and signal your intentions.
Look both ways. Be aware of traffic around you, most accidents occur at driveways or intersections. Before you enter a street or intersection check for traffic and always looks left-right-left.
Stay alert. Keep a look out for obstacles in your path before going around obstacles. Check for traffic and signal your intentions. Remember, in wet weather check your brakes.
Beware of the dark. If you ride at night display front and rear reflectors and a headlight on you bicycle. Wear reflective clothing and ride in areas that are lit and you are familiar with.
Go off road. Follow designated bike routes, if available. Check with local law enforcement agencies for proper permits, if needed.
Fix up. Your bicycle should be correctly adjusted to fit you. Before riding, make sure you have checked your bike out thoroughly.
Stop it. Take a slow ride to check your brakes. Remember your life could depend on them. Brakes are affected by inclement weather that could increase stopping distance.
Don´t flip your bike. Check wheels before every ride, after every fall and after transporting your bicycle to be sure they are secure. Rotate tires and be sure that tires tires are properly inflated.