Kit for the new generation of bicycling bobbies

By Mark Cockram, PCI #665
IPMBA Industry Relations Committee
City-of-London Police

At this time, trying to review kit for UK cycle officers is a huge task, as everyone is using items from different manufacturers. I will attempt to review those items that most relate to police work that my team has used and that are in circulation elsewhere, as well as review the manufacturers themselves. It is as ever difficult both from a professional standards point of view and out of practical necessity to provide outright recommendations and therefore I have to leave it to the individual teams to make their own minds up about the best suppliers. The products I do recommend have been tried and tested, and most will be familiar to established teams.

KIT (Kreative Innovative Technology): KIT, run by Shaun Tankard and fronted by Peter Riley, have been on the scene from the outset. Most cycle units in the UK are using at least some of their equipment; others are completely outfitted by them. Without a doubt, the most outstanding item of equipment they provide is the cycling-specific body armour. The armour has been vented, which holds the actual armour away from the back, making it practical for cyclists. The armour carrier likewise is very well thought out, holding all the kit you need out of the way but still easily accessible. I have been using the armour for 14 months and can say I have found it comfortable to the point of not realising I am wearing it. It does have one draw back: the cost. The unit costs £500.00, which is a good price for the armour, but trying to justify that cost to your department may be difficult. The carrier costs £90.00 and can be tailored to fit already issued body armour. This is a practical solution, but if you can get the whole package, then do. KIT also provides a recently updated waterproof range which is comprehensive and effective.

NITON: Next on the list, because we are talking about equipment rather than the bikes themselves, comes Niton equipment. Already well known in police circles, Niton have introduced a cycling range. I have tested one of their jackets which I thought had great potential. The fabric is wipe-clean and very tough, features paramount to cycle officers. The design itself left a little to be desired as it was not vented and had no pockets. It was a prototype and I will be interested to see the finished product, which will retail at around £90.00. The rest of the range is small but good with some police-orientated products.

CYCLE FORCE UK (SMITH & WESSON): Smith and Wesson (Cycle Force UK), under Ron Parker come next. At present, Ron is not stocking a clothing line but I believe the company is looking at expanding their whole range. S+W do provide just about everything else you could need, all of which has been tried and tested in the States by cycle officers. There is a great knowledge base at Smith and Wesson who have been retailers to police cyclists for many years; this in itself could prove useful to anyone setting up a cycle team. Likewise, the team at Cycle Force are very open to ideas and new suggestions that may improve their service.

TREK BICYCLE CORPORATION: A new entry into the UK police cycle industry is Trek. Well established in the US as one of the main players, Trek have recently offered their clothing and equipment range to UK officers. I have yet to find out how this will work but it does mean access to very good Trek and Nike equipment, some of which will be well suited to police work.

ALTURA UK: For good, extremely hardwearing clothing, Altura UK are an excellent choice. They have close links to North Yorkshire constabulary and have indirectly provided a large portion of City of London uniform. Their downhill-orientated trousers and shorts are perfect for police work, and will remain looking smart for a long time. Selling at £40.00 and £50.00 pounds, respectively, they are also very good value. In the City they have been used for 14 months with no problems and are still going strong.

SPECIALIZED: Specialized are the next on the list. Specialized, at present, do not have a police specific range but are keen to assist and most units will be using some equipment from them. The best product we have had from them is their Armadillo tyres. On a team of eight people running for 14 months in the City we have not had a single puncture. This speaks for itself!

There are many other companies and individual bike shops willing and able to assist with equipping your teams, so this article is just the beginning. We expect to have product-specific reviews of new gear as it becomes available. If you have the chance to work with a company as it develops products for emergency services cyclists, do it. You will then ensure that the products will be specifically designed to meet not only your needs, but those of your colleagues.

Mark is one of seven certified IPMBA Instructors in the UK. He can be reached at Mark.cockram@city-of-london.police.uk.

© 2004 IPMBA. This review first appeared in the Winter 2004 issue of IPMBA News.