PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
During 1995, law enforcement officials in Dickinson, North Dakota noticed a significant increase in public calls for enforcement of bicycle violations. The police department determined that insufficient visibility of patrol officers in public areas such as baseball and softball parks, swimming pools, family parks, school zones, and parade viewing areas contributed to citizen noncompliance with bicycle ordinances. Although the department had initiated a bicycle patrol plan designed to aid enforcement efforts in 1990, lack of funding had prevented it from being implemented.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goal of the Bicycle Patrol program, implemented in 1996, was to increase compliance with Dickinson's bicycle ordinances. Objectives of the program included:

• Increasing bicycle citations and warnings
• Creating public awareness of the city's bicycle ordinances
• Increasing public awareness of the importance of using bicycle helmets

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
Using both Section 402 and local funds, the Dickinson Police Department purchased two Trek Patrol Unit ABT Aluminum Performance law enforcement bicycles, ancillary equipment and special bicycle uniforms. A Bicycle Patrol was created using volunteer officers, who elected to ride bicycle patrol as part of their day and evening shifts between April and October 1996.

The Bicycle Patrol project employed several activities in their strategy to increase bicycle safety. These included:

• The police department incorporated an incentive campaign into the project. Officers distributed rewards as incentives to youth and adults who exhibited good bicycle safety behaviors such as wearing helmets, riding on the right side of the road, use of hand signals, walking bicycles across intersections, observing traffic control devices and exhibiting general bicycle courtesy. Incentive rewards included bicycle pins and reflective stickers, as well as coupons for cans of soda donated by a local convenience store
• Police officers participated in bicycle safety workshops and seminars for youth groups during the summer
• Officers patrolled on bicycle during baseball and softball games, at public swimming pools, in family parks, in school zones, and during parade events. These patrols increased the visibility of bicycle safety as an important aspect of community safety

RESULTS Public support for the Bicycle Patrol project has been substantial, with the efforts of the police department receiving considerable media attention. Patrolling on bicycle has also raised community awareness and focused attention on bicycle safety issues. Placing the officers directly into the community has worked well to raise public appreciation of law enforcement. Officers have had an opportunity to visit with the public during community events, and the city's Parks and Recreation Department has been appreciative of the extra patrols at baseball and softball events. During the summer of 1996, patrol officers rode a total of 198 hours, writing 104 bicycle warnings and citations (compared to 49 warnings and citations written during all of 1995). In addition, 350 face-to-face educational contacts were made, compared to 38 in the previous year. Sixteen community bicycle safety presentations were conducted for 419 youths. Due to the positive response of the community for the Bicycle Patrol project, Dickinson officials now include funding for the Bicycle Patrol project in the police department's annual budget.

FUNDING   Section 402: $1,500   Local:   $3,867 CONTACT     Deb Nelson Traffic Safety Coordinator Traffic Safety Council 202 East Villard Dickinson, ND 58601 (701) 227–0131