In the 1980's, the use of bicycles expanded to include community-based policing and increased visibility in congested areas of the City, and by 1990, most areas were utilizing bicycles. The BCU is responsible for organizing the bicycle patrol units and maintaining the department s bicycle fleet. Approximately 1,500 officers have completed the LAPD Bicycle Patrol School, which provides officers with five days of intensive, certified training in pursuit bicycle handling, bicycle safety, night patrol techniques, shooting, and maintenance. Bicycle patrol provides greater visibility in high crime areas that are more difficult to patrol by motor vehicle, including public housing, retail centers, and beaches. Officers have easier access to congested areas than officers in motor vehicles and cover a larger area than officers on foot.
Bicycles offer an effective approach to crime surveillance due to their decreased visibility.
In some situations, bicycle patrols have proven to be more cost-effective than motor vehicles. Patrol support Response to calls for service Gang suppression Narcotics enforcement Traffic enforcement Community policing Special details Bicycle safety education Special events Undercover surveillance. Bicycles provide tremendous air quality and public health benefits. Under the Bike Patrols for Clean Air Grant, it is anticipated that the use of bicycles in patrol applications will generate a reduction of over 1.5 million vehicle miles traveled. In most instances, the bicycles replace motor vehicles for patrol up to eight hours per day or longer.