Course Information
Course title: Police Cyclist
Course number: PC09
Course description: This course will be instructed by an IPMBA certified instructor and is designed to teach new bicycle patrol officers the basics of riding a bicycle under patrol condition, basic maintenance, and other bicycle-related skills. This is a physically demanding course and all personnel should contact the academy for equipment and conditioning prerequisites. Students should begin training regularly on the bicycle at least 90 days in advance of this course.
Prerequisite(s):
  1. Riders must be capable of completing a 25 mile ride at a minimum average speed of 12 mph.

  2. Riders should have sufficient upper body strength to pull the front wheel of the bicycle off the ground a minimum of 8" while mounted on the bicycle.

  3. Rider should be thoroughly familiar with the operation of bicycle to be used in the school including shifting gears etc.

  4. All bicycles will be inspected by the instructors prior to the first training ride and any bicycle that is determined to be unsafe will not be permitted to be used during the course.
Course Requirements
Introduction: Police cyclists officers need to ride whenever and wherever they are needed. Proper training is essential to an officer's on-the-job performance and safety. It is also critical in reducing liability. The Police Cyclist course provides bicycle officers with the skills they need to effectively serve their communities.
Equipment Requirements: Required Equipment:
  1. Heavy duty, multi-speed mountain bicycle, police model preferred

  2. Pedal toe clips and straps

  3. Water bottle and frame mounted bottle holder (2 recommended)

  4. Front and rear lighting

  5. Helmet, cycling gloves and padded cycling shorts

  6. Wrap around style cycling sunglasses/safety glasses

  7. Spare tire tube and tire changing levers

  8. One box (50 rounds) of service weapon ammunition
Recommended Equipment:
  1. Rain jacket and pants

  2. Cycling tights (depending on weather)

  3. Appropriate weight jacket (depending on weather)
Lesson
Lesson: Police Cyclist
Objectives or Goals: The course includes the following training sections:
  1. Bicycle Nomenclature

  2. Bike Fit

  3. Bicycle Maintenance/ABC Quick Check

  4. Bike Handling & Vehicular Cycling

  5. Group Riding

  6. Hazard Recognition & Common Crashes

  7. Obstacle Clearing & Riding Techniques

  8. Patrol Procedures

  9. Nighttime Patrol

  10. Community Policing

  11. Legal Issues & Traffic Laws

  12. Fitness & Nutrition

  13. Firearms
This demanding class involves over 20 hours of on-bike time to develop and improve riding skills.