Not too long ago it was common to saunter into a local
restaurant and request a table with the host or hostess asking if we would like
that table in “smoking” or “non.” The
same was true for other public places, even airplanes. When we see old footage of sporting events the
playback is clouded not because of the age of the film but by the smoke of
countless cigars and cigarettes being puffed by the multitude of spectators. America became alarmed of the cancer and
death rates of smokers and the painful and dangerous side effects of
second-hand smoke in the 1960s and 1970s.
According to American Lung Association statistics smoking-related
diseases kill one in ten adults globally. If the same rate continues, by 2030
smoking will kill one in six people. About a third of the male adult global
population smokes. Cigarette smoke
contains eleven chemical compounds that are known to cause cancer. Someone dies every eight seconds from tobacco
use. It took until the 1990s for
anti-smoking legislation to take effect.
Today, it is impossible to smoke indoors, anywhere in the States. It is also becoming nearly as difficult to
smoke outdoors if that outdoor area is a public space.
Up and down the East Coast of America beach towns are beginning to
enact laws to keep people from smoking on the beach. Our sandy beaches for generations have been
one big ash tray. Pick any spot,
anywhere, on any beach and if you dig your hands into the sand you will no
doubt come up with an old cigarette butt.
This week the small beach hamlet of Bethany Beach, Delaware passed a new
ordinance banning smoking on the beach and in town parks. In order to enforce the new law the town is
considering placing one of their few police officers on a new bike patrol. This officer will be the “cigarette cop” on
two wheels. The Sticky Bottle Team is
wondering, what type of bike is required for cigarette patrol? But first, why does he need a bike? That's easy…
According to the
Police Bike Store (a real website) a bicycle “allows a police officer or security agent to be closer to the people,
and to travel where cars cannot reach. This can be great for downtown areas and
public events, where a bicycle allows an officer to see more of their
surroundings and what is occurring. A bicycle division is great for morale,
fitness, and also provides the officer with the ability to interact with the
community on a more personal level.”
It will also allow officers to roll up on smokers and douse the
offending cancer stick in a moment’s notice.
This is much better than if the officer rode in on one of those big draft
horses, people can hear them coming we think.
Police bikes are normally
24-speed, flat bar or mountain bikes.
The frames are all aluminum. The
tires are tough with reflective sidewalls.
They also come standard with dual disc brakes and front suspension. The color is black of course. A popular option is a rear rack. Other options are saddle bags and the usual
lights common to all police vehicles. The most popular builder of police bikes
is Fuji and the “Code 1” sells for about $600 (pictured). The “Code 2” sells for about 800 and it
offers 27 speeds.
Believe it or not
there is actually a Smith and Wesson “Tactical Police Mountain Bike,” it sells
for about $1,000. Smith and Wesson has
five bikes in their “Law Enforcement Bicycles” line. Whether you are an avid smoker or not you do
not want one of those barreling down on you so please take the advice of the SBT
crew, kick the habit!
It is a new month so we have updated our website. Please visit www.stickybottleteam.net.
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