Police have added pedal power to their patrols to help put the brakes on crime and road crashes.
Nelson police have set up what they believe is the country's first specialised Bobbies on Bikes unit, replicating the bike cops whooperate in many countries around the world.
Their fourspecially designed bicycles have the police livery, and come with lights and sirens mounted on the handlebars, while the riders have special uniforms.
About two officers are expected to be out on their bikes in the Nelson area at any given time.
Senior Sergeant Tony Bernards said the idea initially arose in response to the high rate of cycle crashes in the Nelson area.
He did not think police were getting as involved as they could be, and looked overseas, where many forces have 24-hour bike cop patrols, for inspiration.
"If I had my way, I wouldprobably have guys on rollerblades going around the waterfront if that got us closer to the public and got us talking to them a wee bit more," he said.
The bicycle unit is not designed for high-speed pursuits, but in many cases would get officers "from A to B quicker".
"In fact I know, having worked in Auckland, that this would probably get you around town quicker than a car. And you can definitely pull over bikes with the lights and sirens."
Funding for the bikes came from other government agencies. About 18 officers in Nelson have expressed an interest in getting on the saddle, and seven have been through the required training.
Mr Bernards said the fitness aspect was a bonus for the officers involved.
He would be out on the bike himself "if I can convince the boss to let me change into a pair of shorts, and I'm not going to fall over with dehydration after too short a time".
Mr Bernards hopes the concept will eventually spread to policedistricts throughout the country.
Nelson City Council road safety co-ordinator Margaret Parfitt said the police on bikes would gain "a whole new empathy" for cyclists, and have the ability to go where cars could not.
