In recognition of the benefits of bicycle police units used worldwide Thailand’s historic city of Ayutthaya is now employing patrols of paired officers atop mountain bikes. Citing the ability of bicycles to noiselessly patrol small sois and off-road locations that are inaccessible to motorcycles, the Ayutthaya police are already looking to increase the number of these types of patrol units.
The fact that the bicycle units cause no pollution makes them a welcome addition to the city’s historic temple areas, where far more pedestrians travel on foot. Tourists view the officers as ‘more approachable’ and because the bicycles are equipped with a small first aid kit the patrols are often times the first responders to incidences of minor injuries to historic park visitors.
Overall this initiative is seen as a step in the right direction for a UNESCO World Heritage Site city concerned with heavy automobile traffic and its associated air pollution problems. The health benefits of the cycling police officers and the good PR generated for the Ayutthaya police force are just a few extra awesome bonuses of cycling. Who knows, maybe other cities in Thailand will take note and start similar programs.
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