For nearly three decades, I had the honor of teaching bicycle patrol courses at various levels, from basic training to instructor-level and specialized e-bike instruction. The training covered both traditional (human-powered only) duty bikes and electric bicycles (e-bikes) to law enforcement and public safety agencies across California and nationwide.
Throughout my career, teaching tenure and into retirement, I’ve witnessed a wide range of training approaches and outcomes, including high-quality, effective courses, as well as those that fall short in quality and thoroughness. Fortunately, I’ve also had the honor of working alongside some of the most dedicated and professional bicycle instructors, including those affiliated with IPMBA.
Why bike patrol training matters
High-quality, effective bicycle patrol training, often called police cyclist training, plays a critical role in ensuring officers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and decision-making abilities necessary to perform their duties safely, effectively and professionally. Today, agencies have access to a wide range of bicycle training options, including, but not limited to, basic, advanced, instructor-level, e-bike, maintenance and bicycle response team courses.
The significance of this training cannot be overstated, as properly trained officers enhance public safety, efficiency in their duties and liability management. When selecting any law enforcement training program, the quality and effectiveness of instruction make all the difference. Dedicated instructors and presenting agencies infuse their teaching with passion and genuine care, prioritizing student safety and real-world preparedness to ensure officers are fully equipped for duty. They foster an engaging learning environment where students take an active role in their education and training.
RELATED: Why bike training for police?
Throughout the United States, best practices for instruction suggest allocating 32 to 40 hours for basic police cyclist courses using traditional duty bicycles. This duration ensures, but is not limited to:
- A structured and logical development of on-bike skills, including navigating in traffic
- Adequate time to address unexpected delays, such as mechanical issues
- Important scenario-based learning that bike officers will encounter on patrol, like: Terry stops, crimes in progress, foot pursuits, and traffic stops
- Flexibility for supplementary instruction in firearms familiarization, off-road riding, continuing skill development and even some educational and fun challenges (at the end of the course)
- Proper testing and, if needed, remediation to reinforce competency
Investing in high-quality, effective bicycle training strengthens agencies
Agencies that prioritize investing in police cyclist training recognize that this type of instruction is an investment in their officer’s safety and job performance, community trust and liability reduction. Likewise, presenting agencies and companies — in both the public and private sectors — recognize the value of maintaining stringent training standards and certification requirements.
Professional instructors bring real-world law enforcement expertise to their field of instruction to ensure their students receive comprehensive, safe, legally sound and practical training. They exceed minimum instructor standards and certification requirements by continually refining their teaching methods, integrating innovative best practices and pursuing ongoing professional development to enhance their students’ learning experience.
Conversely, inadequate or rushed training fails to properly prepare officers, increasing liability risks and compromising safety standards. Poorly trained officers are more likely to make mistakes, which can lead to administrative and/or legal consequences, diminished community trust and operational failures.
Instructors and presenting agencies must uphold training integrity and effectiveness by:
- Adhering to approved curricula, including course safety policies.
- Maintaining low student-to-instructor ratios during on-bike skills requiring difficult maneuvers with an increased degree of risk like stair descents.
- Delivering comprehensive, realistic courses that align with the three Rs of Training: realism, recency and relevance. These principles should always enhance officer performance on patrol without compromising student or community safety.
A great example of high-quality, effective basic bicycle training is detailed in the document from IPMBA’s Police Cyclist (basic) Course.
A call to action for decision-makers
Agencies dedicated to ensuring their officers receive police cyclist training — or any professional training — must carefully evaluate their options. In today’s fast-paced world, quick, flashy, or convenient solutions may seem appealing, but thoughtful decision-making is crucial for long-term success!
I encourage decision-makers to consult with both internal and external subject matter experts, professional training organizations and respected agencies to ensure their officers receive top-tier instruction. Thoughtfully selecting training programs enhances officer preparedness, community engagement, and professional excellence.
The rise of electric bicycles in law enforcement
As more agencies adopt electric bicycles to enhance their bike teams and mission, high-quality, effective and specific training is even more important! Because e-bikes have greater power, speed and weight — and at times, reduced maneuverability — they require specialized training beyond traditional bicycle patrol instruction.
Officers should first complete a basic police cyclist course on traditional duty bicycles, followed by a dedicated e-bike transition course. If your agency lacks access to conventional duty bikes, I have a creative solution — reach out to me to learn more.
E-bike training resources: Organizations like IPMBA provide comprehensive E-Bike Resources and a high quality, effective IPMBA E-Bike Module Curriculum, available for public safety agencies across the U.S., Canada and beyond. To learn more about all of IPMBA’s training offerings, click here. For further insights on this topic, explore police ebike training and operational considerations.
Ensuring compliance and safety: E-bikes are legitimate, highly effective patrol vehicles, not recreational devices. They must comply with federal, state and local regulations, including requirements on wattage limits, speed restrictions and classification. There are only three legal e-bike classes (1, 2, or 3), and combining classes is non-compliant. Adhering to these standards improves officer and community safety while reducing agency liability.
I continue to believe that a Class 3 mid-drive electric mountain bike (e-MTB) is the best choice for most law enforcement agencies. The added 8 miles per hour can be critical in escaping a dangerous situation or swiftly and safely responding to an “officer needs immediate assistance” call.
Additionally, e-bikes used in patrol must be high quality, durable and specifically designed for law enforcement. They should come from a reputable manufacturer, be properly fitted to the rider and meet the rigorous demands of public safety personnel.
Conclusion
For your agency’s bike team to be fully prepared and achieve long-term success, it’s essential to assess your current training program. Partnering with organizations like IPMBA can help address the unique challenges of modern traditional and electric bicycle patrol to ensure your officers receive high-quality, effective police cyclist training.
