Bicycles were introduced to the Queensland Police Force in 1896, when horses and bicycles were the main form of transport. Bicycles allowed police officers increased mobility and speed in the field. In a time before patrol cars and paddy-wagons, police patrolled Brisbane city on bicycle and by 1920 bicycles were the main means of transport used by police. It was not without its problems however, with the main issue being the candle-powered lamp and keeping it alight during the night. In 1926, plain clothed officers would patrol Brisbane suburbs on bicycles by night and during winter officers would wrap newspaper around their chests and wear two sets of trousers to protect themselves from the cold.
Policeman wearing the country uniform with his bicycle, c1900.
Image No. PM0617 courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.
An early police memo read “…As the use of bicycles is about to be introduced for police purposes I wish to know which men in your district can ride a bicycle…” Later, police purchased three motorcycles with side cars, and by 1928 eight motorcycles were in use as motorised vehicles replaced horse driven vehicles. As the use of motor vehicles increased bicycle patrols were reduced. After World War II bicycle patrols were phased out completely and motorised transport became the norm. It wasn’t until 1998 bicycle patrols were re-introduced. A three-month trial period was given, and due to the efficiency of the patrols the trial was extended indefinitely.
Constable James Patrick McErlane Dredge with bicycle and two of his children in Toowoomba, c1941.
Image PM3204c donated by Bradley Dredge, grandson of James Dredge.
Statistics showed the effectiveness of the bicycle patrols. During the three month trial period the squad rode 926 kilometres, conducted 121 field interrogations and made 35 arrests for 50 charges. Interestingly, the Bicycle Squad also proved itself faster at responding to jobs than patrol cars. During the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games bikes squads were used heavily throughout Australia, with a ten man bicycle squad escorting the Olympic Torch Relay. After the Olympics bicycle patrols were stopped due to budgetary restrictions.
Brisbane Central Bike Squad officer patrolling city streets, 2010.
Image No. PM3607 courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.
In 2003 Brisbane reignited the Bicycle Squad which operated 24 hours a day, and in that year rode more than 13,000 kilometres, conducted 1,300 field interrogations, and made 90 arrests for 150 charges. Bicycles are still in use today, continuing to provide an effective police presence 24 hours a day.
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This information has been supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available at the time of writing. The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane. Contact by email: museum@police.qld.gov.au
“FROM the VAULT – Policing Queensland by Bicycle” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode