Troopers back on their Harleys; article in The Repository www.cantonrep.com
Troopers back on their Harleys
CINCINNATI Troopers are once again patrolling the Cincinnati-area's highways on motorcycles - the first time the Ohio Highway Patrol has used two-wheels to respond to accidents and chase down speeders in the region since the 1950s.
Highway patrolmen set out on Interstate 275 and Interstate 75 on Friday, spokesman Lt. Tony Bradshaw said.
Troopers started riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles in and around Columbus last summer, with state officials predicting that car accidents will be cleaned up quicker since the more maneuverable motorcycle troopers can weave through congested traffic and arrive on scene faster than patrol cars.
Troopers spent a month last year patrolling Cincinnati's highways on the Harleys, and data encouraged officials to make the trial program permanent.
With the new addition, the highway patrol has 16 motorcycles serving two metropolitan areas in Ohio.
Motorcycle officers made 3,257 stops throughout the state - including the Cincinnati-area - between June 1 and Sept. 30 last year. Of those stops, 843 people were given citations for aggressive driving-type infractions.
When the Highway Patrol first took to the streets in 1933, nearly all 60 officers rode motorcycles.
Harsh winters, safety concerns and the need to carry more equipment forced the patrol to abandon bikes for cars in 1956.
This time around, troopers have received a heavy dose of training and safety instruction. Officers will also receive leather jackets with the Harley-style fringe and chaps for the colder days, Sgt. Eric Widmyer said.
