The long arm of the law could be reaching out from atop two wheels in future, although newly-minted Police Bicycle Patrol specialist Senior Constable Jarryd De Castro said community engagement is the main goal of the exercise.
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Tenterfield has had similarly-qualified officers in the past but Snr Cst De Castro is keen to patrol on bicycle whenever practical, particularly before and after school when young bicyclists are on the streets.
It’s a form of police work that has always interested him and he’s now duly accredited, seeing the initiative as a great way to break down barriers and do some intel gathering.
“Much better than sitting inside four walls,” he said.
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He’s been out and about since first appearing on bicycle at the Tenterfield High School Wellbeing Day late last year. He said he often receives a double-take when pulling up beside a vehicle at intersections, but it’s a good way to be in the heart of the community.
“The town’s received it well.”
Now that school’s back he will often be found at the skate park before and after school, engaging with the kids and setting a good example. He will be educating them on safe bicycling and giving them a heads-up if they’re not doing the right thing like wearing a helmet.
“If they ask me to pop a wheelie, I’ll say ‘when you put your helmet on’.”
So far he has issued warnings rather than tickets. These days the first a parent may know of an infringement is when an Revenue NSW fine turns up in their letterbox. With the fine for not wearing a helmet standing at $350 it could be an unpleasant trip to collect the mail, especially if there are a couple of siblings involved.
Parents are responsible for those under the age of 18, and riders aged 14 year or more can get a ticket. Not strapping up a helmet carries the same penalty as not wearing one at all.
Snr Cst De Castro is more concerned about educating riders of the consequences of not observing bike safety measures, even if helmets aren’t a fashion statement.
“At the end of the day, it’s about their safety,” he said.
“I’m trying to influence them at an early stage. They all think ‘it won’t happen to me’.”
He said he often holds his breath when he sees young riders hurtling down High or Manners Streets, knowing that hitting some loose gravel or a pothole could send them head-over-heels.
He said adult riders are good at wearing helmets.
“The kids are getting there.”
Other aspects include obeying road rules like keeping left, signalling, stopping and giving way, including at pedestrian crossings. Snr Cst warned that doubling-up on a bike is another ticketable offence.
Since July last year children under 16 years of age are allowed to ride on a footpath (up from 12 years of age). An adult rider who is supervising a bicycle rider under 16 may also ride with the young rider on the footpath (and can be joined by a rider aged 16 or 17).
When riding on a footpath, riders must keep left and give way to pedestrians.
