On the
Bicycle Beat

The Harvard University Police Department launched its bicycle patrol in May 1996. The bike patrol was one of several steps undertaken by Chief Francis "Bud" Riley to enhance the visibility of Harvard's police officers and security guards. The officers have discovered that two wheels are better than four, at least for patrolling the Yard. As one officer put it, "In a cruiser there's a wall between you and the public, and people might wave hello as you go past. But on the bike, you're constantly stopping and talking. And it's not just good community relations; you're also gathering a lot more information."