A team of Whangārei police are opting for pedal power out on the beat. Photo / Michael Cunningham
A team of Whangārei police are opting for pedal power out on the beat. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Whangārei police are adding mountain bikes to their transport repertoire.
A team of six officers have swapped their cars and hit the beat on bikes to cruise the central city and make sure Whangārei's shared pathway to Kamo is being used safely.
The 4.7km shared path, which follows the existingrailway corridor, connects eight schools as well as supermarkets, the CBD, retirement homes and thousands of households.
It is designed as a footpath and bike path and since it opened has been utilised by up to 2500 people each weekday.
The police bike team started patrolling last week to coincide with students going back to school in level 2.
Area prevention manager Acting Senior Sergeant Christian Stainton said officers were educating path users about safe social distancing, and making sure all users were treating each other with respect.
"We're making sure everyone gets back to school safely and so far there have been no problems," Stainton said.
"It's about making sure it's a space everyone feels they can use and be safe."