The MET disbanding its cycling and motorbike safety units has caused outrage, but I don’t think it’s all bad

The Metropolitan Police has officially disbanded its dedicated cycling and motorbike safety units, a move confirmed by the force itself. This decision sees the existing officers from these specialist teams reallocated to other duties within the force, effectively ceasing the targeted operations and educational initiatives previously undertaken to improve road safety for vulnerable road users in London.

This development arrives amidst ongoing concerns regarding road safety in the capital, particularly for cyclists. The units, while perhaps not always universally lauded, provided a visible presence and a specific focus on issues like close passing and dangerous driving. Their dissolution raises questions about how the MET plans to address these critical safety concerns moving forward, especially given the rising popularity of cycling and the continued high rates of road traffic incidents involving two-wheeled vehicles.

Ultimately, the MET's decision to reallocate resources suggests a belief that general policing can adequately cover specialist road safety. London's cyclists, however, may be forgiven for reserving judgment on that particular strategy.