Our department encourages our officers to become certified through Police Mountain Bike School. Maintaining a Bike Unit within the department is extremely helpful in a small town like Dewey Beach.

• Dewey Beach is only one mile long and two blocks wide. However, traffic is often a problem, especially during the summer months. Bicycle patrol is able to navigate swiftly around town, avoiding obstacles and hazards that would stop a patrol vehicle. Dewey Beach is known to have areas with limited vehicle access, events of all kinds throughout the day and night, and a high number of pedestrians, skateboarders and bicycles. Responding to calls in a motor vehicle can take a great deal of time, and often the car can't access a remote location or is blocked by pedestrians or other barriers. As for events, whether there is a 5K, concert, or festival, bicycle police have the unmatched ability to be in the center of crowds with the means to get to other areas quickly.
• Bike patrol increases positive contact with the public. We've found that residents and visitors are more likely to approach our bike officers to ask for directions or parking information. This supports our goal in building trusting relationships with the public.
• Bicycle officers have the ability to use all of their senses! Without being confined to a vehicle, bike officers can encounter issues as they are happening, and can see, hear and even smell clues that lead them to areas that require their attention.
• Bicycles are cost-effective. An average, fully-equipped police bike costs around $1,000, and, properly maintained, will last for years. They don't need gas for operation, nor the full-sized parking spaces required for other vehicles.
• Bikes provide environmental and health benefits. Because bike patrols run on human power rather than gas, their carbon footprint is much smaller than patrol cars. Additionally, bikes provide our officers with healthy exercise and time to enjoy the outdoors.