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PSNI go undercover as cyclists on club spins
PSNI officers are joining club spins undercover as cyclists to catch close pass drivers. And they will also school cyclists about how to behave on the roads.
The officers will be dressed in their cycling kit, like everyone else on the rides. And they will also have hidden cameras.
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The cameras will record all of the vehicles passing the group. And when a motorist passes too closely, the evidence will be captured on video.
The officers on the bikes will ride out with clubs for periods of the clubs' spins. They will have colleagues on patrol in squad cars and motorbikes nearby.
And when a motorist passes too closely, the PSNI officer riding in the cycling group will quickly inform their colleagues by radio and they will try and intercept them.
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The ground-breaking move will be welcomed by cyclists. And many in the Republic will hope the Garda follows the example.
The PSNI has already launched its #seethecyclist campaign.
This has involved PSNI officers, dressed in cycling kit or in civilian clothing, riding around Belfast.
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When motorists have passed them too closely, they have been pulled over by other PSNI officers on duty in the area.
And the undercover cycling officers have also pulled up cyclists they have seen breaking the law.
For now, the operation has focussed on pulling over motorists and educating them about the dangers of close passing and how to pass more safely.
The PSNI has run a fantastic social media campaign around the operation.
Ards PSNI, on its Facebook page, has explained how officers will join club spins and group rides.
“Police will be accompanying groups of cyclists in 'ride outs' and also cycling on their own around town centres,” they said.
“These police officers will be in plain clothes and equipped with video cameras to record bad behaviour of motorists.”
It added the police officers will also educate the cycling groups on the “etiquette of cycling on the road should it be required.
“To ensure an even playing field cycling groups will also be monitored by police and if required police motorcycles will stop the cycling group and offer education as to cycling etiquette.
“And if there is a cycling club this will be followed up with the club to ensure the message is disseminated as wide as possible.
“All major cycling clubs have been spoken to within the district and welcome this campaign.
After an education campaign, the PSNI said if its officers “identify offenders or incidents that break the laws” they will be prosecuted through the courts or by way of fixed penalty notices.
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