The Dutch cycling federation (KNWU) is bracing for an even worse shortage of motorcycle police to control events on open roads that threatens the racing calendar after the National Police abruptly decided to prohibit local motorcycle officers from being deployed to control traffic for cycling events.
Dutch races typically employ a mix of specifically-trained (C2) and regional (C1) officers to secure road race courses. The National Police opted to ban the use of C1 officers. According to a press release by the KNWU, the decision will likely force organisers to changed dates or cancel races altogether, since it will exacerbate an already severe shortage of trained motorcycle officers.
The press release did not state whether the move will disrupt the UCI races.
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The Netherlands are due to host the UEC European Road Championships in Drenthe in September along with 15 elite UCI events, including the WorldTour Amstel Gold Races for men and women, the Simac Ladies Tour on the Women's WorldTour, the Pro Series ZLM Tour, four one-day men's races and two for women, along with six UCI-sanctioned races for juniors or under-23s.
The bigger races employ large fleets of motorcycles to carry race officials and marshals, photographers and television cameras. Motorcycle police are typically used to drive ahead of the race to close roads and prevent motorists from driving onto the course and potentially endangering riders.
A shortage of trained police motorcycle officers has already led to changes to the road calendar in the Netherlands over the past five years, with some races being held without police, and others shifting to closed circuits. The federation have also been trying to plug the holes with volunteer motorcycle drivers.
To stave off mass cancellation of road events, the KNWU appealed to the National Police to reverse its sudden decision.
"In addition, the KNWU calls on the Ministry of Justice and Security to speed up the use of pilots with well-trained, volunteer motorcycle supervisors. The KNWU believes it is high time that the cycling race is included in the road traffic law, so that the division of responsibilities between all road users, volunteers, police, motorcycle support teams and of course the riders is finally properly arranged."
