There is a new addition to patrolling vehicles of police officials in Bengaluru's Cubbon Park. Apart from their usual jeeps and patrol cars, officials will also be seen going about their patrolling duties on bicycles.
This is after Citizens for Sustainability (CiFoS), a non-profit, donated five bicycles called 'Pedal Police' to the Cubbon Park Police Station on Sunday. The police officials are expected to start using them this week.
The 'Pedal Police' bicycles are equipped with police lights, alarms, reflective vests and helmets.
Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao inaugurated the initiative and handed over bicycles to be used by staff members at the Cubbon Park police station. The bicycles will be used to patrol Cubbon Park, and neighborhoods in and around Vidhana Soudha, particularly at night.
For the first time in the city we will have a bicycle mounted police. #PedalPolice in Cubbon Park station today, Lalbagh police next, then commercial street, soon all police stations. Thank you @deepolice12 @CCifos pic.twitter.com/4UBQpB29Wq
— Bicycle Mayor Bengaluru (@bicyclemayorblr) December 15, 2019
"It sends a positive signal when a police official rides a bicycle. It can help their patrolling since a bicycle is versatile and enter narrow streets where cars cannot travel. It is ideal for eco-friendly places like Cubbon Park and Lalbagh. It will improve accessibility, transportation and send a message that the police will empathise with the public," Sathya Sankaran, Bengaluru's Bicycle Mayor and founder of CiFoS told TNM.
Bhaskar Rao added that the initiative could be extended to other police stations in the city beginning with the Lalbagh Police Station and Commercial Street Police Station in January.
The initiative is part of campaign by CiFoS called 'A Better Bangalorean', which aims to promote sustainable practices in the city. "Police using bicycles will also inspire confidence among the people towards committing to sustainable mobility, and building empathy among the police to cyclists needs," Sathya said.
CiFoS had previously kicked off a year-long campaign that aims to spread the message of safety, and to push for better facilities for cyclists in Bengaluru along the lines of facilities made available in cities like Amsterdam, among others.