Windsor police put the pedal down, expand bicycle unit

Morepolice will be peddling around Windsor than ever before to help end the city's cycle of crime.

• Windsor cyclists pumped to bike Gordie Howe bridge

• Transit Windsor bus drivers accept cycling safety challenge

Sixteenmembers of the Windsor Police Bicycle Unit were pumped up during training Tuesday as they practiced the skills they'll need to weave through downtown traffic and beyond.

Const. Ryan Henderson has been a bike cop for the past three years. He said travelling on two wheels comes with benefits.

"Driving a car you're focused on driving let alone watching what's going on around you," he explained. "Bikes allow you to slow down, take your time, absorb all of your environment and really pay attention to what you're doing."

In the past, new officers often started out on foot or using bikes to get a feel for life on the force, but recently more veteran officers who know the communityhave joined the team, according to Henderson.

Although bike police tend to patrol downtown and along the waterfront they'll soon be boarding buses to head to "problem areas" in the city's east end and south Windsor, he added.

Bicycle officers tend to deal with vagrancy and intoxication, but can also be especially helpful when it comes to searching for missing persons who may be on foot, said Anderson.

The constable also said he was hopefulexpanding the unit's area of operation will help bring their unique type of service to more of Windsor's residents.

"People love us," he said. "We're easily approachable and people love seeing guys on bikes."