Police guide to ride a bike: don't forget the lemon curd and watch out for insects
Police officers are being issued with lengthy guides on how to ride a bike – including tips on avoiding swarms of insects and suggestions for lemon curd snacks.
Pity the poor policemen sent out on bicycle patrol.
It is not just the criminals they need to worry about, but the ever present threat of chapped lips, flagging energy levels, airborne insects and sore bottoms.
Now, however, help is at hand for police cyclists in the shape of hundreds of pages of advice including guidance on what they should eat and wear.
In 2009, the Association of Chief Police Officers scrapped plans to introduce its own manual teaching officers how to cycle. The documents show that forces have created their own instead.
West Midlands Police, recommends that officers use lip balm to prevent chapped and cracked lips, and suggests the strategic application of sunscreen "to protect areas of your body that are exposed ... during the summer months".
A 21 page dossier, developed by the Metropolitan Police but also used by other forces, gives three pages over to advice on the sorts of foods that police cyclists should eat.
Among the recommendations are "high sugar spreads such as jam, honey, lemon curd. ", though it goes on to state that these "should be eaten with a bread-based unsweetened item".
Malt loaf, breakfast cereal or fruit are also suggested.
The guide adds: "Be wary of consuming high sugar content confectionary, certain items though are a good source of carbohydrates such as Jaffa Cakes or flapjack.
"Defined 'energy bars' are acceptable but they generally have a high sugar content and can be expensive."
As well as the officers' diet, the guides give lengthy consideration to what clothing should be suitable.
The Met document recommends that riders "obtain a suitable set of defined cycle underwear with a padded crotch area to prevent discomfort during riding".
In Cambridgeshire, the force's "code of guidance for pedal cycles and ancillary equipment" suggests an investigation should be conducted to establish whether officers it would still comply with the force's "corporate image", if its cyclists wore shorts.
The documents even go as far as stating what officers should carry in their pockets, pointing out that sharp items such as keys should not be kept in pockets, as they could hurt if the officer falls off.
Humberside officers, before going out on cycle patrol, must consider a five page risk assessment in which they are required to analyse the risk of injury from airborne particles and insects.
The documents show that the force calculates such incidents to be a "medium" risk, and states that as a result officers must wear "cycle specific" eye protection at all times.
Of "low" risk, but still to be considered, is the possibility that officers might suffer nerve damage from vibrations on their handlebars – gloves are suggested, but not demanded, to counter this risk.
Other forces require the wearing of glasses to protect officers from "wind, wind-borne particles and sun glare".
The manuals, copies of which have been obtained from forces across the UK, have been ridiculed by critics.
One dossier, from Essex Police, even reveals that officers on bicycles are banned from pursuing suspects unless they have been on an "advanced" cycling course.
Even then, they must conduct a "dynamic risk assessment" in which they must evaluate whether the decision to chase could breach the suspect's human rights – by endangering their safety – as well as consider nine other factors, including the weather.
The same document states that if undercover officers want to ride without a helmet to avoid arousing suspicion, a supervisor must first carry out a risk assessment.
Meanwhile, Gwent Police instructs officers to stay on roads and cycle paths and not to go "off road" because of the "recognised risks to health and safety". It also insists that even undercover officers should wear a helmet.
One document, used by Lothian and Borders police suggests each hand signal – to indicate a manoeuvre – should be maintained for three seconds and recommends officers "use the technique from the 1981 film 'Gregory's Girl' by saying "1 elephant 2 elephants 3 elephants".
The West Midlands Police guide has instructions in how to cycle downhill.
It points out, helpfully, that: "Gears and pedalling are not important, so adopt a neutral pedal position", before adding, in capital letters "DO NOT PUT YOUR FEET DOWN TO SLOW DOWN YOUR CYCLE".
The same document also has a seven point guide on "Getting off the cycle", including the advice: "Bring your cycle to a halt using your brakes."
As well as the usual aspects of road safety, such as how to deal with other traffic, West Midlands officers are given advice on some other unusual hazards they might encounter on patrol.
Officers from the force are warned that "dogs don't usually like cyclists and some may even pursue you".
The guide also adds that during the summer "there are swarms of insects often attracted by the bright fluorescent colours the cyclist is wearing. The wearing of suitable eye protectors is essential."
The 11 point "operating procedure" for bicycling officers at Gwent Police states that they must dismount at least every hour and walk for at least five minutes.
Andrew Rosindell, the Tory MP for Romford and a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Cycling Group, said: "This sounds like a complete waste of time and, most likely, money.
"I think most people learn the basics of riding a bike by the time they are seven and you tend not to forget."
