6-8 Bicycle Patrol

Policy Type: Local

Responsible Office: Chief John Venuti, Virginia Commonwealth University Police Department

Initial Policy Approved: 3/7/2013

Current Revision Approved: 9/6/2023

General

It is the policy of the VCU Police Department (VCUPD) to ensure the safe and effective operation of police bicycles. The department utilizes police officers equipped with bicycles to patrol areas that are difficult to reach by motor or foot patrol, to provide a rapid response in areas with significant traffic congestion, to provide a highly visible and approachable street presence, to allow a rapid and quiet approach to crimes in progress, to present a positive image in support of community policing goals, and to enhance the provision of police customer service to the VCU community. The purpose of this directive is to establish the guidelines to govern the operation of bicycles by sworn VCUPD officers.

Accountability Statement

All employees are expected to fully comply with the guidelines and timelines set forth in this written directive.  Failure to comply will result in appropriate corrective action.  Responsibility rests with the supervisor to ensure that any policy violations are investigated and appropriate training, counseling and/or disciplinary action is initiated.

Procedures

1. Lawful Operation, Conditions and Limitations of Use
   1. Bicycle officers shall comply with all state laws and City ordinances, except during emergency conditions or situations unique to law enforcement.
   2. Bicycle officers shall not operate their bicycles unless they are properly wearing an approved bicycle helmet. Proper wearing of the helmet includes that the helmet be placed level on the head with the chinstrap securely fastened under the chin.
   3. When riding after sunset, police bicycles shall be equipped with working headlights on the front of the bicycle and a red, flashing, plainly visible LED light device attached to the rear of the bicycle.
   4. Bicycle officers shall not ride in such a manner as to endanger the safety of citizens or themselves.
   5. Bicycle officers shall immediately report any accident which results in injury, damage to the police bicycle, and/or other property damage to their immediate supervisor. Provisions set forth in Written Directive 8-3 Crash Investigations and Reporting shall be followed when applicable.
   6. Bicycle officers are prohibited from modifying or altering the department-issued bicycle and/or any department-issued bicycle equipment, unless approved in writing by the Lead International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) Instructor. Department-issued equipment replaced by approved modified equipment must be turned in to the Property and Evidence Unit. It is the responsibility of the bicycle officer to return any original department-issued equipment to the Property and Evidence Unit.
      1. When a mobile unit is not available or practical;
      2. During suspected criminal offenses; or
      3. During driving offenses that present danger to life, limb, or property.
   7. Bicycle officers shall not directly engage in vehicular pursuits. However, bicycle officers may assist in a support capacity when necessary.  If a motor vehicle flees from a bicycle officer during a traffic stop, the officer shall call for a patrol unit to assist.
   8. Bicycle usage relies upon the following weather restrictions:
      1. Bicycle officers have the discretion to choose whether or not to ride their bicycle if the heat index is 91 degrees or above.
      2. Bicycle officers have the discretion to choose whether or not to ride their bicycle if the wind chill is 39 degrees or below.
      3. Bicycle officers shall not operate their bicycles when their supervisors determine that weather conditions render such operation unsafe or ineffective.
2. Bicycle Patrol
   1. Bicycle officers have the discretion to choose whether or not to ride their bicycle if the heat index is 91 degrees or above.
   2. Bicycle officers have the discretion to choose whether or not to ride their bicycle if the wind chill is 39 degrees or below.
   3. Bicycle officers shall not operate their bicycles when their supervisors determine that weather conditions render such operation unsafe or ineffective.

Uniforms and Equipment

1. Bicycle officers shall wear the standard-issued Class B uniform and comply with Written Directive 4-2 Grooming and Personal Appearance and Written Directive 4-7 Uniforms, Equipment & Dept. Dress Code.
2. Bicycle officers may wear their Class A or Class B uniform when appearing in Richmond General District Courts; however, bike shorts are prohibited during court appearances. When bicycle officers appear in other courts, they will comply with standard policy for courtroom attire.
3. Bicycle officers may utilize their bicycle in uniform or for plainclothes operations, as deemed appropriate by the respective Major. Bicycle officer supervisors may allow reasonable variations from department policies concerning uniforms and equipment for situations unique to bicycle patrol operations.
4. Each cyclist is issued a multi-speed mountain bike issued with the following equipment:
   1. Mountain bike rack bag
   2. Black police model custom rack pack
   3. Red flashing taillight
   4. Blue & red front-mount strobe light
   5. Halogen headlight
   6. U lock
5. To prevent theft, the bicycle shall be adequately secured to a bike rack or other secure/stationary object when parked in public. During periods when the bike and equipment are not in use, the bike shall be placed in a secure facility.
6. The Training and Education Division shall be responsible for a quarterly bicycle inventory and the findings will be reported through the chain-of-command.

Condition and Maintenance of Bicycles

1. Each officer will be required to keep their assigned bike clean and safe to ride, and ensure that all equipment is in good working condition by complying with the following procedures:
   1. Bicycle officers shall make every effort to preserve their equipment. Blatant disregard for a department bicycle and/or related equipment is not permitted.
   2. Each bicycle officer is responsible for performing minor repairs to the officer’s assigned bicycle within the scope of what the officer has been trained to do (e.g., repairing flat tires, minor brake or derailleur adjustments, cleaning and lubrication).
   3. When a bicycle or other related equipment is in need of repair or maintenance beyond the officer’s ability, the officer will complete form VCUPD-79 and submit the completed form to their supervisor who will coordinate maintenance requests with the Property Unit. The Property Unit will ensure that the bicycle is taken to the contracted bicycle shop to handle the necessary repairs.

Training and Certification

1. The training and certification of bicycle officers is conducted in accordance with the IPMBA administered curriculum.
2. The instructors must be IPMBA certified Police Cyclist Instructors in good standing.
3. No police officer will operate any department bicycle, other than for training purposes and under the direct supervision of a Police Cyclist Instructor or their IPMBA certified designee, until they have successfully completed the Cyclist Certification Training.
4. The training is a 40-hour course that is approximately half classroom lecture and half practical exercises on bicycles. 
   1. The classroom portion of the training includes all of the following:
      1. Bicycle specific traffic laws
      2. Fitness and nutrition
      3. Bicycle equipment, maintenance and repair
      4. Effective cycling
      5. Patrol tactics and techniques
      6. Nighttime riding
      7. Community policing on bicycles
   2. The practical portion of the training includes all of the following:
      1. Bicycle fit and adjustment
      2. On and off-road cycling skills
      3. Group riding
      4. Hazard recognition and avoidance
      5. Obstacle clearing
      6. Tactical maneuvers and suspect chases
      7. Cone courses
      8. Firearms training
5. Trainees must successfully complete rigorous written and practical examinations before they can be certified.
6. Police Cyclist Instructors maintain rosters for all classes, to include the officers’ names, agency and written test score. Additionally, all scoring and testing materials from the schools are kept on file by the Police Cyclist Instructors. Once the initial Cyclist Certification Training is complete, no re-certification exercises are required for bicycle officers.
7. The Training and Education Division shall maintain all cyclist training records in each bicycle officer’s training file.
8. Upon supervisor recommendation or a department IPMBA instructor, officers may be required to attend refresher or remedial training when bike officers fail to adhere to safe tactics and techniques while riding a bicycle.

Electric Bicycles

1. Only officers who have successfully completed both an IPMBA Basic Course and an additional E-Bike Course may utilize department Electric Bicycles (E-Bikes).
2. The sign-in log for each bicycle will be correctly filled out, and supervisors will ensure that assignment is properly notated on the daily line-up.
3. E-Bikes are to be inspected before each shift and the appropriate vehicle inspection sheet notating beginning and ending odometer reading shall be turned in at the end of shift.
   1. If a mechanical issue is noted during an inspection, supervision will be immediately notified.
   2. An email will be sent to the Property unit to schedule maintenance, copying the IPMBA instructors.
4. If a mechanical issue arises during an assignment, arrangements will be made with supervision to have the vehicle recovered from its current location and brought back to headquarters.
   1. An email will be sent to the Property unit to schedule maintenance, copying the IPMBA instructors.
5. Supervision and Property will be notified immediately if the E-Bike computer displays any error code. Appropriate maintenance actions will be taken at that time.
6. Batteries for E-Bikes will be charged at VCU Police Headquarters, 224 E Broad Street.
   1. Keys for batteries will be maintained in the Morse Keywatcher at VCU Police Headquarters.
   2. When batteries reach 25% power level, the E-Bike will be charged.
7. E-Bikes are considered unconventional vehicles and operated in such a manner to include following all the laws of the commonwealth related to traffic safety.
8. Use of E-bikes on sidewalks should be limited and with due regard for pedestrian safety.
9. E-Bikes are not to be used for traffic enforcement purposes, nor in the capacity of backing another unit conducting traffic enforcement.
10. E-Bikes have a governor (speed limiter). No employee shall modify, alter, or tamper with the governor.
11. E-Bikes are equipped with emergency equipment including flashing blue lights and a low-powered siren. They are not equipped with a loudspeaker.
12. Per Written Directive 3-7 Police Vehicles, the Property unit is responsible for ensuring all vehicles owned or leased by the department are maintained on a routine basis. For E-Bikes, this preventive maintenance program should comply with the manufacturer’s guidelines found in the E-Bike owner’s manual.

Revision History

This policy supersedes the following archived policies:

3/07/2013 - 6-8 Bicycle Patrol

7/11/2018 - 6-8 Bicycle Patrol

1/16/2023 - 6-8 Bicycle Patrol