Continuum of Training in Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety for Law Enforcement

The Continuum of Training in Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety for Law Enforcement approach includes multiple types of media – written, video, interactive computerized-based training and personalized classroom instruction to appeal to a broad cross section of officers with different learning styles. It consists of the following tools:

1. “Enforcement for Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety” brochure
2. National and local pedestrian & bicycle safety materials
3. Pedestrian & bicycle safety videos to be shown at roll call
4. Computer-based pedestrian & bicycle safety training
5. Instructor-led two-day Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety for Law Enforcement course
6. Community enforcement exercise

The continuum starts with a very low-cost and minimal time commitment element that contains basic knowledge of pedestrian and bicycle safety. It continues with increasingly informative pieces with the culmination being a two-day training session with in-depth classroom and on-the-road activities.

The information provided in the continuum is pertinent for all law enforcement personnel, but not all officers will specialize in bicycle and pedestrian safety, just as in other areas of enforcement like crash investigation or narcotics. As the information increases and becomes more in-depth, fewer officers will likely participate. The ones that do participate are naturally interested in bicycle and pedestrian safety and will become the experts and advocates for their department.

1. The “Enforcement for Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety” brochure contains basic knowledge of pedestrian and bicycle safety and pertinent state statutes. It would be distributed (print or electronic) to all officers in a department. It requires minimal effort on the part of the department and officer and is a very cost effective training tool.

2. There are many national and state pedestrian and bicycle safety materials available. The Continuum of Training in Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety for Law Enforcement includes a selection of materials that are the best of what is available for officers in your community. This could include brochures, posters, pocket guides, coloring books, bumper stickers, safety check lists, flyers, etc. for children, adults, commuters and leisure bicyclists and pedestrians. It will also include instructions on ordering the materials (most are free or at nominal cost) and suggestions on which key items officers should have on hand to assist them when making traffic stops, school visits, or interacting with the walking, bicycling and motoring public.

3. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other agencies have created short, informative videos about bicycle and pedestrian safety targeted to law enforcement. They are designed to raise awareness and to give officers perspective about the role they play. When shown at roll call, they can be very effective for opening dialogue among officers about pedestrian and bicycle safety in their community.

4. The next step in the continuum is a two-hour, self-paced, interactive instructional DVD “Enhancing Bicycle Safety: Law Enforcement’s Role”. This free training was developed by NHTSA and has seven content sections. Officers can perform this training on their down time and completion of the final evaluation prompts a certificate of completion and the achieved score. We will help departments obtain potential continuing education or in-service credits for completing this training.

5. The two-day instructor-led training is a complete pedestrian and bicycle safety educational experience with classroom and on-the-road activities. The course contains information in the following areas:  What, Where, When, How, Who & Why of walking and bicycling; components of the Highway Safety Triangle; bicycle environment audit; how pedestrian & bicycle crashes happen; pedestrian & bicycle laws; crash investigating & reporting; potential law enforcement partners; and more.

6. The final step in the continuum is a community enforcement exercise that is performed locally. It is a chance for officers who participated in the classroom training to use their new found knowledge in their community to promote bicycle and pedestrian safety. It could be a bike light giveaway program or a pedestrian crosswalk enforcement operation. The toolbox will give law enforcement agencies information and helpful tips in coordinating an enforcement action in their own community.