Police train to patrol Cape Coral streets by bicycle

The Cape Coral Police Department is launching a bike patrol program as part of a collaboration with the City of Cape Coral, Cape Coral Bike-Ped, BikeWalkLee, and the Lee MPO to improve bike/ped safety in Lee County.  As one of the officers pointed out, "If people see the police on bikes I would hope motorists would be more cautious."  Kudos to the Cape Coral Police!

 Update on 12/13/14--two more articles on topic, both with quotes from BikeWalkLee:
Dec. 11th NBC-2 News story 
 Dec. 10th News-Press article

Cape Coral Police make presentation to City Council on Dec. 15th--here's link to their excellent Power Point Presentation. 

 News-Press, Nov. 28, 2014 by Cristela Guerra, 

Click here to view the video.

 For five days, police officers with Cape Coral took time in the classroom and on the road to learn the ropes when it comes to bike patrol. Cristela Guerra / news-press.com

(Photo: Jack Hardman/The News-Press / Jack Hardman/The News-Press)

 

Over five days, Cape Coral officers faced a timed obstacle course inside Sunsplash Family Waterpark, team night rides and hours in a classroom to become bike-savvy and better emphasize bike safety. By Christmas, the Cape Coral Police Department hopes to restart its bike program and get a number of cops on mountain bikes patrolling the streets.

The goal is to eventually have at least 30 officers trained, said Sgt. Jon Kulko. These efforts are part of a larger discussion and the ongoing challenges of cyclists and pedestrians across Southwest Florida.

"The Cape is emphasizing safety and getting people off congested roads with better routes," said Carolyn Conant of Cape Coral Bike-Ped. "Now you add the 3-foot signs to inform motorists to give way to cyclists, share roadways signage and more pavement markings we're working on and the city just keeps enhancing what they're doing for cyclists and pedestrians and motorists too."

Participants in the Cape Coral Police Department's bike cop program line up in the Sun Splash parking lot during training on Tuesday.(Photo: Jack Hardman/The News-Press / Jack Hardman/The News-Press)

 

A task force that includes several law enforcement agencies, Cape Coral City Council as well as BikeWalkLee and Cape Coral Bike-Ped began several months ago. Part of its purpose was to establish a way to inform elementary and middle school students about the importance of helmets.

"It's a great idea," said Councilman Rick Williams. "To have the police on bikes where they can educate people on the roads and make them more aware … and have the authority to stop drivers."

Last year, MPO data showed that almost 400 cyclists and pedestrians around the county were injured in some type of collision. As of Nov. 19, an estimated 160 people have been injured while on a bicycle in Lee County and eight have died. In the same period of time, 167 pedestrians have been injured in motor-vehicle related accidents and 17 have died, according to the most recent data from Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

"We refurbished four bikes and are purchasing four additional bikes," said Det. Sgt. Dana Coston, public affairs officer for the Cape Coral Police Department. "We are also purchasing helmets, lights, saddlebags and related police equipment. The cost is about $10,000. We are working to secure grant funding to offset this cost as well as operational time, but that is still in-process."

Chad Hartzell, left, and Patrick Taylor navigate an obstacle course at Sunsplash during the Cape Coral Police Department's bike cop program on Tuesday.(Photo: Jack Hardman/The News-Press / Jack Hardman/The News-Press)

 

The training lessons for police were less about the bikes and more about the job. From drills in the nearby skate parks to bike maintenance, proper nutrition, biking laws and riding protocol, they covered all the bases. At the end of the class, participants received a certificate from the Law Enforcement Bicycle Association.

"We don't teach people how to ride a bicycle in this school," said Shawn Lukens, law enforcement bicycle association instructor, "we teach them how to ride a bicycle effectively. A lot of law enforcement agencies will put their officers on bikes for 8 to 12 hours in a shift. If you're not riding effectively, you'll end up injuring yourself more often."

The obstacle course was approximately 6.4 miles and tested participants on team riding, stopping and turning abruptly and riding down stairs. At the end, officers dismounted quickly and shot simulation bullets at a wooden board to practice engaging a target while under heightened stress. Lukens rode with them to watch their progress maneuvering a bike at high and low speeds.

Joe Zalenski, left, and Mike Masiero prepare to draw their weapons after ditching their bikes during a training drill that is part of the Cape Coral Police Department's bike cop program.(Photo: Jack Hardman/The News-Press / Jack Hardman/The News-Press)

 

"I think people will be happy with more diverse patrolling," said Officer Michael Masiero. "The training is more tactical. I learned a lot. I strongly believe it's another function to serve the safety and security of the citizens. If people see the police on bikes I would hope motorists would be more cautious."
  

SHARE THE ROAD
Join the discussion and like our special Facebook page called Share the Road Florida. Share thoughts, opinions and observations about cycling and road safety in Southwest Florida. Go to facebook.com/sharetheroadflorida. For resources, data and more information, go to capecoralbikeped.org, bikewalklee.org and leempo.com