Victoria Police deploy officers on pushbikes to catch drivers, drug dealers and users

Police on pushbikes are blitzing Melbourne’s streets to catch drivers illegally using their mobile phones. The move is already paying dividends, with a staggering number of motorists caught breaking the law in just 90 minutes — including an AFL footballer.

Bike patrol — Victoria Police‘s First Constable Chris Plumridge, Sergeant Peter Guerin and Senior Constable Ben McDonald get on their bikes as part of the cycling patrol. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Swarms of police on pushbike are hitting the streets in a blitz on drivers illegally using their mobile phones.

The cycle cops are also patrolling Richmond’s laneways to catch drug dealers and users.

It’s the first dedicated police bike patrol outside Melbourne’s CBD.

The officers detected 18 drivers in just 90 minutes illegally using mobile phones as the Sunday Herald Sun accompanied them on Wednesday morning.

Collingwood player Ben Crocker was among those nabbed.

The 22-year-old, who has played three games for the Pies this season, was spotted using his phone while stopped in traffic on Swan St about 8.30am.

Collingwood Football Club declined to comment.

Collingwood's Ben Crocker is booked for driving while using his mobile phone. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Crocker has played three games for Collingwood this season. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

All drivers caught were fined $496 and given four demerit points.

Victoria Police has launched a dedicated bike patrol in the Yarra service area to help deal with rampant use of mobile phones among drivers.

Statewide 30,110 fines were issued for illegal phone use last year, up from 28,852 a year earlier.

The four-member unit, based around Richmond since July 28, also targets public order offences including drug use and dealing in laneways which are difficult for police cars to access.

Bike patrol police issued more than 200 infringement notices in their first two weeks on the road, including 128 fines for illegal mobile phone use.

One man was holding and watching an iPad and mobile phone at the same time.

A woman with a dog sitting on her lap was also fined.

Senior Constable Ben McDonald books a driver for using their phone while driving. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

First Constable Chris Plumridge, Senior Constable Ben McDonald and Sergeant Peter Guerin ride through Richmond's housing commission grounds. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Six people were fined for driving 15-25km/h over the speed limit while others failed to adhere to traffic signs.

Sen-Sgt Josh Tink told the Sunday Herald Sun officers on bikes were better able to negotiate congested thoroughfares such as Victoria St, Bridge Rd and Swan St to ensure drivers were doing the right thing.

“There’s often bumper to bumper traffic — riders actually move a lot faster than drivers,’’ Sen-Sgt Tink said.

“The bike patrol guys can come up alongside a motorist who might be on their mobile phone and not paying attention to what’s going on and be able to identify those offences.

“Getting on a push bike and being able to ride up to a car is in reality probably the most effective way to police those distraction offences with mobile phones.

“I think people probably just either don’t get the message or don’t understand that even if you are stopped in traffic you can’t be using your mobile phone.”

First Constable Chris Plumridge rides along Swan Street while looking for drivers who use their phones. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Victoria Police’s bike patrol officers are also patrolling laneways and side streets, focusing on drug use and dealing where drug dealing has been an issue. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

He said of the large numbers of drivers caught on their phone: “While it’s a good result that they’re out there working and identifying these offences and making people more are aware of the safety issues it’s also a bit concerning that there’s that many of those things going on out there.”

Bike patrol police helped colleagues who detected a small quantity of illicit drugs in a car during the Sunday Herald Sun’s ridealong.

A man was to be interviewed.

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Sen-Sgt Tink said detecting drug use and dealing in laneways and side streets was a focus.

“The bikes are uniquely placed to be able to cut in an out of those laneways and also dart across the parklands really quickly,’’ he said.

“They are much more agile than being in a vehicle.

“They’ve got that unique ability to go through parkland, grassed areas.

“It’s pretty much a no-brainer for an area like Yarra.”

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