The West Fargo Police Department's bike patrol unit consists of four specially trained/certified officers. These officers have completed a 40 hour course through IPMBA (Internation Police Mountain Bike Association).
These officers serve primarily on a regular patrol shift or other duty such as Juvenile Officer or DARE Officer, but are employed as needed in a bike patrol function. With a bike rack that mounts on the back of the squad cars, each officer is able to respond to calls across town, and still find time to patrol areas where needed with the bike.
The West Fargo Police Department started using bike patrol in 1995 and the use has grown since. The bike patrol is mostly used for patrol functions, but is also employed for special events such as: parades (West Fest), community gatherings (National Night Out, West Fest), football games, and other community policing opportunities. The bike is used to patrol areas such as city parks, bike paths, outdoor pool, downtown area, other areas where a vehicle may have a hard time getting into
 The Advantages to Officers on Bikes are:
Bike officers can travel faster and farther than foot officers, and they are able to patrol areas unreachable by car.
Because they are silent, officers on bikes can ride right up to the scene of a crime before they are noticed.
Bicycles are a great public relations tool - an officer on a bike is much more approachable than one in a patrol car.
Bike officers also have the ability to better enforce bicycle laws, monitor road conditions for bicyclists, promote bike safety, encourage crime prevention practices and promote officer fitness.
The bike officers at the West Fargo Police Department encourage all bike riders, young and old, to ALWAYS WEAR YOUR HELMET. Accidents happen very quickly.
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The following are a general guideline for some of the West Fargo bike ordinances. Please view the actual ordinances here West Fargo Bike Laws (pdf format)
A $1.00 bike license is required on all bikes in West Fargo. These can be obtained at the West Fargo Police Department. Please bring the Make, Model and Serial Number for the license.
All bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of vehicles do and must obey the same traffic laws.
Bike riders must obey traffic control signals (Stop signs, traffic lights, etc).
A bike cannot be used for more riders than it was designed for. If a bike has one seat and one handle bar, then one rider can be on it. Pegs can not be used for additional persons.
All bike riders, 12 years old and up, must ride on the right hand side of the street (with traffic). These riders must use a bike path if one is available.
The sidewalk can only be used for bike riders from 0 - 11 years old, and for parents or other persons who need to ride with them for the purpose of supervision or training.
A bicyclist must ride his/her bike at a speed that is safe and reasonable.
At night, a bike must have a headlight turned on to the front to be visible to other vehicles. A red reflector must be on the rear of the bike.
Brakes must be in good working condition.
A police officer is allowed to impound any bicycle that is being operated in violation of any ordinance.
If an accident occurs on a bicycle, the operator must stop and give their name, age and address to the other people involved and then report it to the West Fargo Police Department.
We want you to have a safe, enjoyable bike riding experience in West Fargo! WEAR YOUR HELMET!
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