Bikesafe 2000 allows cyclists to be assessed at one of four venues across the region by police riders and other two-wheeled safety pundits. The Humberside Police Accident Prevention Unit and Motorcycle Unit have teamed up with the Driving Standards Agency, Institute of Advanced Motorcyclists and four local bodies to provide free assessment rides.

"With motorcycle sales continuing to increase and more inexperienced riders taking to high-performance machines, casualty figures may well continue to rise," said Humberside's Inspector Dick Cockerline, who heads the scheme.

He said to further deter and catch speeders and dangerous riders, the drive would coincide with enhanced patrols.

Nothing like being taught by the best.

Bike beat powers up
* Speaking of two-wheeled duties, Hampshire police are electrifying bicycle beats by taking a literal view of 'pedal power'. Traffic wardens in Basingstoke are testing a new push bike fitted with an electric motor run by a 150-watt battery.

Officers hope to get to more places in less time with the bike's maximum speed of about 24 km/h! Riders can opt for peddling, assisted power or complete power from the motor. For Hong Kong's hills, this sounds like a wheelie good idea!

Relief grief!
* OffBeat's mates in Australia's New South Wales state police have passed on this enlightening little number, bringing a new angle to the realm of service quality.

Apparently in a northern region Detective's office, a certain officer had to attend to the call of nature, only to find the lights to the gents' were out. He headed for the ladies', supposedly safe in the knowledge there were no females on his shift.

But much to the grief of the relief-seeking officer, his partner had actually organised an interview with a woman who headed straight for the convenience upon her arrival. We hear she took to the cubicle next door to the detective who wasn't quite sure what to make of it all.

Embarrassed and scrambling for his trousers, we were told he immediately took the discrete measure of quietly flushing and leaving. But, exiting the cubicle thinking he'd made a clear getaway, a voice reverberated among the bathroom tiles: "Excuse me, excuse me, there is no paper in here."

Despite the crushing embarrassment, our officer overcame the trauma of being caught in an inappropriate place, clung to his police instincts of serving the public and helped the poor damsel in distress. Of course the aid was accompanied by a hearty apology and thorough explanation of his dilemma. How's that for a roll model?



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