Monday, August 08, 2005

Lincolnshire Cycling Good Citations

Lincolnshire Good Citation Certificate
Cyclelicious asked Lincolnshire Bike Patrol officer Adam Hyde about the Good Citations Program. This program encourages safe cycling for children by handing out certificates for free ice cream and entering them into a drawing for a free bike.

Beyond helmet use, the Lincolnshire PD looks for safe riders who safely walk their bikes across crosswalks, ride on the right side of the street, and have proper equipment on their bikes. Over 200 Good Citations have been awarded over the summer. According to Officer Hyde, "The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Kids are actually stopping us and pointing at their helmets!"

Beyond the Good Citations program, Lincolnshire Police are active in encouraging youth cycling. The large bike safety program in the town includes two bike rodeos each year with safety inspections, and bike and riding safety instruction by IPMBA certified bike police to all children in the schools before the summer break.

Officer Hyde and his team of five bike officers are members of the International Police Mountain Bike Association, which trains and certifies bike police with a curriculum based on vehicular cycling principles.

Bike Patrol Officer Adam Hyde and Maggie Moo's came up with the "Good Citations" program of positive reinforcement to encourage safe cycling. Officer Hyde welcomes inquiries from other police departments who wish to implement a similar program.

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