Lucknow police to patrol using bicycles

With an aim to connect more with the people and generate confidence among them, police in the capital city of Uttar Pradesh has adopted the age-old system of cycle patrolling.
"The basic idea of starting the cycle patrolling is to connect with the people and generate confidence in them about the force. We have introduced it in the city and it will surely give a sense of security to the common man," Senior Superintendent of Police Yashasvi Yadav told PTI.
Police officers of east zone have been given the bicycles initially and they will start patrolling in the old city area of Chowk from tomorrow, he said, adding, in the days to come each police station of the city will be provided cycles.

The system's main aim is to increase visible policing and also develop a rapport with the public, Yadav said.
The team will patrol in streets and even small alleys, which are otherwise not accessible said the city police chief, adding, this system of policing could also improve intelligence gathering.
"The cycle patrol team cannot zoom past the street. As they move slowly and interact with residents they could easily gather information. This will aid in intelligence gathering. And will people feeling connected to the police, they could anytime share their information, which they generally avoid," he said.

The policemen in Canada, Netherlands and other countries patrol the streets on bicycles.

The cycles, being given to policemen here, have hooters and soon GPS will also be installed in them, the SSP said
Cycling is also eco-friendly and will benefit the health of policemen riding them, he said.
Residents too are happy with this system.
"Since the cycle is a common man's vehicle, people will feel closer to them. Besides, the policemen can gauge the situation properly while pedalling as compared to whizzing past on a bike," said Tanseem Haider, a resident of Chowk area.
The SSP said besides cycle, routine patrolling will continue in the city.