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Bicycle Patrols

Bicycle patrols were first introduced into Tasmania in 1993 in an attempt to streamline the manner in which Hobart's CBD and surrounding suburbs were policed. It was soon discovered that bicycle patrols complemented mobile units and foot patrol officers by reducing response times to incidents in congested city streets.

Bicycles lend themselves to patrolling of car parks, council reserves, bicycle and walking tracks and inner city suburbs and they can be available for any task assigned them by the police radio room such as traffic crashes, crime reports or shoplifters.

Bicycle patrol officers are equipped with all of the standard issue accoutrements used by regular officers but wear distinctive clothing suited to their activities and to enhance their visibility. The bicycles used are of a mountain bike design with multiple gearing to enhance performance.
In 1996 a sponsorship arrangement was entered into with Coca Cola Amatil that saw the company providing four new mountain bikes and associated equipment. Small unobtrusive stickers placed on the bikes recognise their patronage.

In recent times members of the Bicycle Patrols have focused their duties on ensuring and improving both the reality and perception of public safety for people within urban areas.  Accordingly, they may be seen on foot in 'targeted' areas, still dressed in their distinctive clothing, but adding a presence that is seen on both their bicycles and on foot. Their patrols take them to all parts of the City both night and day with intelligence-led policing providing the impetus for their general duties.