Bike patrols are cost effective - 10 to 15 bike officers can be fully outfitted for the cost of one patrol car. Bike officers can travel faster and farther than foot officers, and they are able to patrol areas unreachable by car. Bicycles are a great public relations tool - an officer on a bike is much more approachable than one in a patrol car. Officer morale is improved. Departments benefit from decreased health care costs.
Bicycle is recognized as a serious vehicle offering serious benefits.
Police bicycle officers can initiate road improvement requests where necessary for safe bicycle use. At present, there are over 2,000 bicycle units across the country. In addition to city and county police agencies, there are military installations, colleges, universities, shopping malls, security companies, transportation, and park and wildlife departments enforcing the law by bicycle. The average daily mileage of a police bicycle officer lies somewhere between 15-25 miles. There is not one favored brand of bike, although most units are using multi-speed mountain bikes.