“New York’s Bicycle Policemen”

Before there were cop cars and surveillance cameras, NYPD patrolmen walked their beat or kept an eye out via bicycle. 

“Bicycles a great help,” reads a New York Times headline from 1896. The story goes on to cite their use in catching runaway horses and preventing cyclists from reckless riding. “More bluecoats a-wheel recommended by the head of the force to the police board.”

This group of bike police, from an 1899 NYPL photo, looks ready to ride.

Tags: crime in New York City, New York City policemen, New York in the 19th Century, NYPD, NYPD bike squad, police department history, vintage police photos