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BGonaSTICK · 25-09-07, 10:11 AM

A police force has banned hundreds of its officers from riding bicycles for safety reasons.

Greater Manchester Police has stopped 300 fully-fledged officers and PCSOs from patrolling on their mountain bikes.

The patrols are popular with the public because they allow officers to chase criminals down narrow lanes and through parks and because they act as a visible deterrent.

But police chiefs say they fear the officers do not have enough training to handle road conditions across Greater Manchester.

The edict follows the death of a 21-year-old cycling PCSO who was hit by a lorry earlier this month.

The Manchester force was already facing public fury over claims that two of its PCSO failed to save 10 year old Jordon Lyon from drowning in a pond in Wigan.

Philip Davies, Tory MP for Shipley, West Yorkshire, branded the latest move 'barmy'.

He said: "Greater Manchester Police have already defended two PCSO officers despite them standing by as a youngster drowned.

"Now they are making loony policies like pulling 300 bike patrol officers off the streets in case they fall off and hurt themselves.

"God knows what health and safety will make of their armed response teams - probably tell them not to carry weapons in case they hurt someone."

Fellow Tory David Davies, MP for Monmouthshire, described the force's decision as a "knee-jerk reaction".

"This is unbelievable," he said. "How much training does it take to ride a bike?"

The ruling follows the death of PCSO Christopher Maclure, 21, who suffered head injuries in an accident with a lorry in Wigan.

Now some 300 officers who have less that a year's bicycle patrol experience must walk or use cars for two months pending a safety review.

Officers with more than a year's experience can continue to use mountain bikes, but they will be given extra safety advice.

A GMP spokesman said: "The safety of officers and staff is our first priority. Officers should ride a police cycle only if they have passed a competence test."

Unknown user #1 · 25-09-07, 10:13 AM

What's next? To ban them from walking (you know, they can slip, fall and break a leg or arm). Driving in cars is also a big no-no, just look at death statistics. And dealing with criminals... this is a worst of all, they could be seriously hurt!

Idiocy at its best.

nousernamesleft · 25-09-07, 10:15 AM

Nanny state..

Jimdefruit · 25-09-07, 10:56 AM

If they can't ride a bike they shouldn't be given one and they shouldn't be in the police force at any level.

The test should be to confirm that they have more than two brain cells and that includes the health and safety wallahs.

BGonaSTICK · 25-09-07, 11:44 AM

If they can't ride a bike, they should all be given one and directed to the M25 :roflmao:

madrat · 25-09-07, 02:38 PM

The worlds gone mad

RocketMBA · 25-09-07, 04:11 PM

Oh, come on - this is Manchester. The real reason police cyclists are being banned is because it costs so much to keep having their bikes replaced when they get nicked

25-09-07, 10:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
BGonaSTICK Dodgy Geezer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 9,718 Thanks: 3 Thanked 166 Times in 60 Posts	Police cyclists banned - in case they fall off A police force has banned hundreds of its officers from riding bicycles for safety reasons. Greater Manchester Police has stopped 300 fully-fledged officers and PCSOs from patrolling on their mountain bikes. The patrols are popular with the public because they allow officers to chase criminals down narrow lanes and through parks and because they act as a visible deterrent. But police chiefs say they fear the officers do not have enough training to handle road conditions across Greater Manchester. The edict follows the death of a 21-year-old cycling PCSO who was hit by a lorry earlier this month. The Manchester force was already facing public fury over claims that two of its PCSO failed to save 10 year old Jordon Lyon from drowning in a pond in Wigan. Philip Davies, Tory MP for Shipley, West Yorkshire, branded the latest move 'barmy'. He said: "Greater Manchester Police have already defended two PCSO officers despite them standing by as a youngster drowned. "Now they are making loony policies like pulling 300 bike patrol officers off the streets in case they fall off and hurt themselves. "God knows what health and safety will make of their armed response teams - probably tell them not to carry weapons in case they hurt someone." Fellow Tory David Davies, MP for Monmouthshire, described the force's decision as a "knee-jerk reaction". "This is unbelievable," he said. "How much training does it take to ride a bike?" The ruling follows the death of PCSO Christopher Maclure, 21, who suffered head injuries in an accident with a lorry in Wigan. Now some 300 officers who have less that a year's bicycle patrol experience must walk or use cars for two months pending a safety review. Officers with more than a year's experience can continue to use mountain bikes, but they will be given extra safety advice. A GMP spokesman said: "The safety of officers and staff is our first priority. Officers should ride a police cycle only if they have passed a competence test." __________________ Dreambox 7000, Skystar2 PCI, Skystar USB, Fibo 90cm on Moteck SG2100, Triax TD110 multi-LNB. Sky + ART cards. 45.0°E - 58.0°W

25-09-07, 10:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
Unknown user #1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 536 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Police cyclists banned - in case they fall off What's next? To ban them from walking (you know, they can slip, fall and break a leg or arm). Driving in cars is also a big no-no, just look at death statistics. And dealing with criminals... this is a worst of all, they could be seriously hurt! Idiocy at its best.

25-09-07, 10:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
nousernamesleft Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 158 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Police cyclists banned - in case they fall off Nanny state.. __________________ X38-DQ6 Q6600 @ 3.0Ghz 8Gb 1066Mhz 640Gb raid stripe 8800GTX Vista X64 24 Dell Flat Panel SkyStar 2 Sky Dish Motorised 1M Dish TM1000D New V*rgin box.

25-09-07, 10:56 AM	#4 (permalink)
Jimdefruit Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,858 Thanks: 20 Thanked 221 Times in 187 Posts	Re: Police cyclists banned - in case they fall off If they can't ride a bike they shouldn't be given one and they shouldn't be in the police force at any level. The test should be to confirm that they have more than two brain cells and that includes the health and safety wallahs. __________________ Dreambox 800 HD; Dreambox 7000s + VBox + Channel Master 1.2 with 36v actuator CM120 feedhorn and Invacom .3 LNB Skystar 2 PCI card with links to my Dreamboxes If you like what you see here, tell your friends.

25-09-07, 11:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
BGonaSTICK Dodgy Geezer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 9,718 Thanks: 3 Thanked 166 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Police cyclists banned - in case they fall off If they can't ride a bike, they should all be given one and directed to the M25 :roflmao: __________________ Dreambox 7000, Skystar2 PCI, Skystar USB, Fibo 90cm on Moteck SG2100, Triax TD110 multi-LNB. Sky + ART cards. 45.0°E - 58.0°W

25-09-07, 02:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
madrat Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 2,232 Thanks: 11 Thanked 83 Times in 72 Posts	Re: Police cyclists banned - in case they fall off The worlds gone mad __________________ *VIRGIN, STOP SENDING ME JUNK MAIL.*

25-09-07, 04:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
RocketMBA As fun as having the flu Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: A cardboard box Posts: 626 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Police cyclists banned - in case they fall off Oh, come on - this is Manchester. The real reason police cyclists are being banned is because it costs so much to keep having their bikes replaced when they get nicked