Cycling News & Blog Articles
Mellow Johnny's ends sales of police bikes
AUSTIN, Texas (BRAIN) — Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop Austin announced on social media Wednesday that it no longer will sell bicycles to the Austin Police Department because of concerns over officers using them to control Black Lives Matter protesters.
The Austin Police Department has for months used bicycles to block protesters from roadways, according to WTBC-TV Fox 7 in Austin. The television station also reported the downtown area command has more than 150 bicycle patrol officers and the department purchases about 50 bikes a year from Mellow Johnny’s.
“In the context of the current evaluation of community policing in Austin, we have decided to no longer purchase, resell, and service police-issue Trek bikes and accessories under a city of Austin RFP the shop was previously awarded,” the post began. It was shared on Facebook and Twitter.
The post concluded with, “We are not anti-police. We do believe our local police force will protect us from the very threats we are receiving right now. We wish this entire community peace and progress and togetherness at the conclusion of these trying times. And we intend to be a part of the discourse, struggle, and growth for Austin, as we have since we opened our doors in 2008.”
WTBC said Mellow Johnny’s canceled its contract four years ahead of schedule and that an Austin officer said a sales manager said the decision was made because three employees didn’t like the way bikes were being utilized for crowd control.
Mellow Johnny's and the Austin Police Department have not responded to requests by BRAIN for comment.
This continues a trend of some in the industry calling for the end of police bike sales. BikeCo, the North American distributor of Fuji bikes, suspended sales of bikes to police forces in June, citing recent reports of police bikes being used as weapons at protest marches. Fuji police bikes are sold through bike shops.
Following a Forbes article about the use of police bikes at demonstrations, Trek president John Burke released a statement that said "we support the peaceful protest of police brutality and inequality and oppose any unlawful action by any citizen including police. Our bicycles have played a long-time, important role in community-based law enforcement programs, bringing officers out of stations and vehicles and into neighborhoods where they are more connected to the communities they serve. ... this approach to community relations has delivered positive change over the years, and we are supportive of our products being used in this manner.”
Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop Fort Worth said on social media Wednesday it was not in agreement with the Austin location’s decision. Each location operates under separate management and ownership.
“Mellow Johnny’s Fort Worth is not connected in any way to the decisions made by the Austin location’s management,” according to the post on Facebook. “Mellow Johnny’s Fort Worth supports our community as well as responsible and ethical law enforcement.”
Social media reaction was mixed.
"Sad, terrible decision. Hope your 3 employee’s who were upset have found their safe spot and can curl up with their blanky’s, coloring books & popsicles," read one of 103 retweets and comments on Twitter.
"Thank you!" read another Twitter comment. "I've seen so many videos of APD using bikes AS WEAPONS by holding them up and shoving them into crowds. This is not only a disgrace to policing, but it is harming the image of bicycles when they are used as weapons."
"Gross miscalculation," read one of 2,300 comments on Facebook. "Your attempt to placate the misguided few will be the downfall of your business. Supporting the local police puts you in a much better position to make a real difference. Now you’ve lost all credibility."
"Thank you and kudos for being brave and taking a stand!" read another Facebook comment. "We as businesses have to take a stand! I’m sure it’s a big contract to be pulled out. I’ll make sure as a fellow bike shop owner and cyclist to support Mellow Johnny's."
— mellowjohnnys (@mellowjohnnys) August 6, 2020
