A
Andrey Platanov
Guest
I went for a ride yesterday and came across a couple of bike cops here in Durham. Since they were
writing a ticket, they were off of their bikes and I had a chance to chat and check out their gear.
The were riding Cannondale MTBs with front suspension. The tires were the same as mine, which
pleased me -- Continental Town & Country -- an inexpensive road tire for MTBs.
Neither bike had toe clips on the pedals. I asked them about that and they said that they needed to
get their feet on and off the bike often. That seemed like a newbie misconception about toe clips
until one of them said that he used to use them but took them off the other day. So, at least he had
actually tried them.
The bike had a kickstand next to the rear hub. It also had a rear rack trunk. I peeked into the
trunk since it was unzipped and it was mostly empty. I guess they just keep their ticket book and a
pen in there.
The bikes did not have water bottle cages. I asked them what they do for water and they said that
they just go into the local stores. Makes sense since they can police the stores while they get a
drink. (I wonder if they lock the bikes up outside or maybe bring them into the stores?)
The bikes did not have a cycling computer. My guess is that it is probably a distraction to them
since they are working and not playing and don't really need the feedback of distance, time, and
speed that a computer gives. They did have a ridiculous battery-powered red light strobe on the
handlebar, though. Seems like they'd be better off with an air horn to get a motorist's attention.
The bikes did not have fenders which I thought they would need. Their uniforms were half yellow neon
and would show up back splatter quite dramatically.
Lastly, as an observation from seeing them around before and after, the officers don't really ride
their bikes hard at all. They mostly cruise and coast so that they can keep an eye on things and do
the policing. It's kind of like walking a beat I guess.
writing a ticket, they were off of their bikes and I had a chance to chat and check out their gear.
The were riding Cannondale MTBs with front suspension. The tires were the same as mine, which
pleased me -- Continental Town & Country -- an inexpensive road tire for MTBs.
Neither bike had toe clips on the pedals. I asked them about that and they said that they needed to
get their feet on and off the bike often. That seemed like a newbie misconception about toe clips
until one of them said that he used to use them but took them off the other day. So, at least he had
actually tried them.
The bike had a kickstand next to the rear hub. It also had a rear rack trunk. I peeked into the
trunk since it was unzipped and it was mostly empty. I guess they just keep their ticket book and a
pen in there.
The bikes did not have water bottle cages. I asked them what they do for water and they said that
they just go into the local stores. Makes sense since they can police the stores while they get a
drink. (I wonder if they lock the bikes up outside or maybe bring them into the stores?)
The bikes did not have a cycling computer. My guess is that it is probably a distraction to them
since they are working and not playing and don't really need the feedback of distance, time, and
speed that a computer gives. They did have a ridiculous battery-powered red light strobe on the
handlebar, though. Seems like they'd be better off with an air horn to get a motorist's attention.
The bikes did not have fenders which I thought they would need. Their uniforms were half yellow neon
and would show up back splatter quite dramatically.
Lastly, as an observation from seeing them around before and after, the officers don't really ride
their bikes hard at all. They mostly cruise and coast so that they can keep an eye on things and do
the policing. It's kind of like walking a beat I guess.