More officers bicycling this season, Lafayette police updated patrol bikes

Expect more officers bicycling this season, Lafayette police updated patrol bikes

That's the case for lafayette police.

And it's just in time as the department has updated several of its patrol bikes.

News 18 micah upshaw joins us in the studio to show us more, micah?

Be prepared to see several more lpd officers commuting by bicycle this spring.

The department is in the process of updating all its bikes to meet state emergency vehicle requirements.

And the goal in this bike program goes beyond just providing another mode of transportation for officers.

M: lafayette police bikes are brighter... nat m: and louder than ever.

G: it was taking a little bit of time but we got some new equipment that we were able to outfit our bikes so that we're back up to speed and able to handle everything that we need to on our bikes.

M: these features keep the bikes compliant with indiana law for emergency vehicles.

And now that they're updated, you could see more officers out cycling this summer.

G: it allows us to do everything we need to on the street, whether that be a pursuit of some kind, to warn other cyclist or pedestrians or even motorists that we're out on the streets or even near by.

M: but for officer greg mcdaniel, his favorite part of the program is the unique way it's able to help police connect with the community.

G: a lot of people ride bikes and that's something that allows us to really relate to people and it also makes us more approachable, you know, when you're driving around in your squad care you don't get as many people who just want to stop you and talk to you about something.

M: mcdaniel's says a strong connection with the community and local law enforcement can actually help fight crime.

He says this bike program is just another tool to help bridge the gap.

G: we do need the whole community to get our job done.

The more that we can do to make ties with the community, that we can start conversations, that we can show that we are real people just like they are even though we do a job that's very noticeable.

It's really important to be able to make those connections.

Officer mcdaniel's helped bring this bike program to lafayette in 2006.

And it takes 40 hours of training before officers can actually patrol on the bikes.

Reporting in studio, micah upshaw.

News 18.