GSPS constant Andrew Hines took home this hardware at two motorcycle competitions in the US earlier this month.
Sudbury Police Officer Andrew Hines took home hardware from two motorcycle competitions when he returned from the United States earlier this month.
His accolades also included the top 3 rider out of 78 entrants. Palmetto police motorcycle skill challengein Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
“It’s pretty gratifying considering the level of skill in the competition,” he told Sudbury.com, noting the fact that he kept dusting off the cobwebs even though he wasn’t on the bike during the race. He added that he was particularly surprised by the good results from . during the winter.
Many riders come from all over North America and ride their bikes all year round.
He also finished 3rd in the Harley-Davidson Windshield Expert category and 2nd in the Overall Team category with friend Gary Machel of the Toronto Police Auto Squad.
and Music City Motorcycle Skill Training Competition In Bristol, Tennessee, he finished 2nd in the non-fairing division, 1st in the slow ride competition, and 1st with Machel in the team slow ride competition.
Much of the sport relies on precision, he said, noting that “precision keeps you safe” on the road.
Motorcyclists maneuver their machines along the road past cones and their accuracy is assessed. While other competitions, such as slow rides, are judged on your ability to maneuver your bike slowly without dropping it, speed runs are judged based on speed.
Hines said the competition was held because police officers need to hone their skills each year, noting that driving a motorcycle is an expendable skill that needs retraining.
Hines has been riding motorcycles since he was 16 years old, choosing a motorcycle over a car because of its affordability. A police motorcycle demonstration he witnessed in the early 2000s inspired him to pursue a career in the police force, and in 2012 he joined the GSPS Traffic Corps.
“After that, I was totally hooked,” he said, adding that he started competing in 2014.
There’s something about riding a motorcycle, which Hines said fits well with his personality.
“Sometimes I have my worst days at work, but after work I jump on my bike and it’s just me and the road,” he said. “It’s my way of unwinding.”
When it comes to police enforcement, he said, motorcycles give police an edge because they can navigate spaces that police cruisers can’t. While searching for missing people such as blueberry pickers and dementia patients, they were able to quickly pass ATVs and walking trails, he said.
There are also additional dangers associated with motorcycles, he said, adding that police are always on the lookout, making a quick response all the more important.
In this regard, Mr. Hines drew attention to the fact that May faces the following fact: Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. May was chosen because the drivers have just come out of winter and are not used to having bikes around them.
“There is an adjustment period for drivers to start recognizing the motorcycle,” he said, urging motorcyclists to check their blind spots to avoid cutting in or colliding with them.
“The roads in Sudbury are potholey and difficult to navigate.”
He said there are more motorcycles on the road than in years past.
“It’s one of the really popular sports,” he said, adding that the stereotype of biker = strong man is no longer valid and now people of all ages and body types ride motorcycles.
Tyler Clarke covers City Hall and the political climate at Sudbury.com.