In an effort to help police officers patrol portions of campus not easily accessible by a motor vehicle, UTPD started one of the region’s first mountain bike units in 1991. The bicycles afford officers the ability to approach a scene in a much more discrete manner than if they were in a patrol vehicle.
Officers on bicycle have also proven to be more approachable than their counterparts in vehicles. In addition to daily routine patrol, the mountain bike unit is also used during special events such as football games. During such cases the bicycles offer the option of a rapid police response when the size of the crowds would usually prohibit use of a motor vehicle.
Mountain Bike Training – Following the successful creation of the UTPD Mountain Bike Unit, the department began to offer mountain bike classes for officers from other law enforcement agencies.
Since 1993, more than 100 police officers from dozens of police departments across the midwest have participated in the week-long bike workshop, including Toledo Police, Sylvania City Police, Toledo Metro Parks, the Lucas County Sheriff's Office, Celina Police, Ohio State University Police, Cleveland Police, and Bowling Green City Police. 