Bicycles Gallery
Images of old-fashioned bobbies on the beat and bicycles are often inseparable. In a large, rural area like Devon and Cornwall it has always been vitally important for an officer to swiftly attend the scene of an incident, which might not necessarily be on their patch. Think back, too, to times before the combustion engine was widespread and mounted policing had been pioneered - the solution was pedal-power.
The various forces of the southwest prior to merger in 1967 all had different approaches to policing equipment, including bicycles. In Exeter, for example, March Committee minutes from September 1914 reveal every man was paid a cycle allowance, which continued until amalgamation in 1967. In 1960/61 the “Hunt for Hazeldene” involved use of pedal cycles and arrest of the villain - check back for a future story.
In Cornwall, by contrast, General Order June 1904 (page 35) reveals that when on duty, and at all other times, a constable was not allowed “on any pretence whatever” to ride on any private or public conveyance, unless by “ express permission or direction of a superior officer.” This rule applied to cycles until about 1904.
In 1905 the constabulary had realised the usefulness of bicycles and introduced an allowance that could be paid to men using their machine for police purposes - but only after written application to, and approval, from the Superintendent. This rule meant that cycles were not available for urgent matters in isolated stations. The initial allowance was one penny per mile after the first four miles. There followed several orders regarding the payment of the allowance so that men cycling considerable distances across the county were not allowed to claim more than the cheapest rail fare! As railways in Cornwall were still developing this wasn't too much of a problem. Another order stopped the men from using their cycle to go to the Section Station to collect their monthly pay. Instead they were required to walk, a distance of 20 miles in some cases.
Bear in mind the awkwardness of reaching the Force HQ at Bodmin from most parts of Cornwall, so the men earned a few pence by cycling great distances. They must have been exceptionally fit to tackle the rolling Cornish hills in uniform in all winds and weathers. Cornish officers policed the county clay strikes before World War One, when mutual aid was sent by Glamorgan Constabulary, bringing their own bikes with them. We know this because in the journals which were submitted by constables, there was a requirement to state whether a cycle was used in any patrol, and this was still a requirement in 1967!
In Devon, apart from the one man country stations, bikes were hardly ever used. At Tiverton there was one bike (belonging to the Force) only ever used if an unfortunate constable forgot to collect the weekly Police Gazette from the railway station. In that case the cadet had to cycle back and get the Gazette - but the bike had no lights so was a peril to use in the dark! At Ilfracombe and Kingsbridge there were objections by the public to the use of bikes. They claimed the “police had lost touch with them, whizzing about on bikes.” This may sound familiar to modern readers concerned about police in cars! The Museum has examples of Force General Orders, the Journals and C19th Police Gazettes in our collection, for review by the public.
Raleigh Royal Roadster
Raleigh Royal Roadster. Partial chain cover rather than a complete ‘gear cover’ possibly due to saving on metal use just after the Second World War. This cycle is very similar to a 1946 Hercules Model ‘C’. Made in the Raleigh factory in Nottingham, England, post-war, as Raleigh were making munitions and HM Forces bicycles only during wartime. Sturmey Archer Dynohub stamped AG. The 6-volt Dynohub with AG stamped on it was introduced in 1946. Sturmey Archer 3-speed brass quadrant gear with steel lever (lever possibly once painted black), worked as part of the Dynohub. The quadrant has the SA pressed badge and LOW – N – HIGH press-moulded indicator. Also made in Nottingham, England. This is an old-style set up with quadrant on the cross bar - later gears were handlebar mounted. The Dynohub powered at least one light. Handlebar stamped E21 which could have been a police station ID stamp as it doesn’t appear to be stamped by Raleigh. Rod brakes and the long brake levers on the handlebars also indicate a 1940’s vintage, likely 1946, using the Sturmey Archer evidence. However, we are happy to be corrected on this. Brooks B72 leather saddle and rear saddlebag made in Smethwick, Birmingham, England - these saddles are still made there.
We do not yet know to whom this bicycle was allocated, but it certainly had a caring owner.
Smith and Wesson Patrol Police
The Smith & Wesson ‘Patrol’ custom bicycle made in Iowa, USA. Yes, it really is the famous firearms manufacturer who, in addition to bikes, make safety glasses, tactical lamps and handcuffs. Imported to the UK and distributed by ‘Cycleforce’ for police use, having added the necessary decals and rear carrier.
Alloy hardtail frame indicating possible date of manufacture March 2008, black and silver ‘S & W’ badge on front. ‘Rock Shox’ Dart 2 front suspension, SRA 24-gear derailleur system. Full Speed Ahead (FSA) crank, flat, strong pedals, rather than foot-cages for officers to ride in their standard footwear allowing ease of mounting / dismounting when dealing with emergency situations. Alex DM18 wheel rims with super strong sidewall, Defender front mudguard and ‘Avid Juicy’ hydraulic disc brakes.
Machine number 16 was kept and used by bike patrol officers in St Austell, Cornwall until it was ‘retired’ around 2017. The dual water canister holder was required to ensure good user hydration on duty. This example was designed to cope with 8-hour patrol shifts and general heavy use. Police patrol riders were trained on these mountain bikes to achieve maximum effectiveness in pursuit, skill in safe negotiation of difficult terrain, protection of the public, and maximum comfort on duty.
The Hercules ‘Victor’
The Victor is a roadster style machine possibly made by the Hercules Cycle and Motor Company of Aston, Birmingham, around 1956 (advertising tagline: ‘The Finest Bicycle Built Today.')
Custom built specifically for PC John Hurn, who was just under 2-metres tall and needed an extended cycle frame. During research it seems possible that this bicycle could have been a collaboration between Hercules and Raleigh, hence the ‘Victor’ decal. There is no reference to this bicycle found at the Hercules or Raleigh Museums or other information elsewhere so far; we would welcome insight or corrections on this object.
The handlebars and rubber pedals are Hercules, a ‘Lycett Imperial’ leather saddle (Lycett from the 1920’s owned by Brooks). Old-style, long brake levers and rod brakes. Possible Sturmey Archer Dynohub which has been painted black, no ID found, painted over and no gearing system found. Therefore, it was single speed riding wherever PC Hurn went! All metal on this very basic cycle is painted black, there is no chain guard but there are mudguards over the back and front wheels.
PC Hurn stowed the handcuffs on the front of the bike and carried a rope, as his rural beat on Dartmoor, including Mary Tavy parish, sometimes involved rounding up wandering livestock!
Sources used for information on all bikes with thanks: Hercules Museum; Sheldon Brown; Online Bicycle Museum; Velobase; Brooks; Graces Guide; Raleigh; Smith & Wesson; Wikipedia.