The bicycle officer is able to contact 4-5 times the number of violators as other officers, and poses much less risk to pedestrians, and reduces the risk of a violator fleeing. While on patrol, the bicycle officer is contacted many times by citizens for many reasons. Many of these contacts are public relations related, and many are self-initiated by the officer. These events are usually congested, giving the bicycle officer the mobility to respond to calls. The bicycle officer can be on roadways and in parking lots providing preventive patrol, and is still only seconds from the event if needed for a call.
Bicycles are usually able to last for several years if maintained properly.
They are obviously much less to replace than a police vehicle. The Police Bike Patrol is also an important new component of the GSU Police Department s initiative in Community Policing.