Fuji Bicycles didn’t say they’ll never sell to police again, just that there needs to be a conversation about how best to use their bicycles before police can place orders again.
While some companies are apprehensive to take a bold stand in these times of clear right and wrong, recent actions by police against protesters has made that decision easier for their suppliers. According to Fuji Bicycles United States, they are suspending all sale of their police-spec bicycles to police units throughout the United States because of how police used their bicycles against protesters.
In a multi-paragraph statement to their fans, distributors and mainly to any police forces reading, Fuji spelled out how they didn’t like seeing their bikes used in violent tactics and as weapons against “those speaking against the unjust treatment of people of color…”
This infamous use of a Fuji Bike that made the rounds from an NY Protest last week, also featured on the NY Post, shows a young protesters head sandwiched into the side of a Fuji Police bike pedal as she’s being arrested.
You might want to look into this too, As this is how police brutality starts ! . . 3 men holding down a girl, and NYPD cycle cop pushes his pedal spikes into the side of her head ! . . You can see a number on his bike ending S3-9 so should be identifiable ! . . #Protest #NYPD pic.twitter.com/bZau3I1Kz0
— ライ! • L Y E • ЛАЙ (@_Gareth_Lye_) May 31, 2020
This is just one instance. Presumably there are several others.
U.S. Police Show How To Use A Bicycle As An Offensive Weapon. https://t.co/jadC7UBRXa Supposedly “humble” bicycle—usually a symbol of non-motorized meekness—is being used by America’s over-militarized law enforcement as a mix between a riot shield and a baton. @TrekBikes pic.twitter.com/o5kvvKl1Ok
— Carlton Reid (@carltonreid) June 2, 2020
The above Forbes article delves into how police honed the basic bicycle frame and wheels as a quasi-riot shield and, when needed, an unwieldy police baton.
Fuji Bicycles commended those police that used their bicycles in the spirit they built it for, that is community policing where police ride around their respective beats, fostering open communication with their fellow citizens and overall using Fuji Bicycles for good.
Fuji Bicycles makes four bikes for Police Patrol ranging between $900-$1,200 depending on the frame size for a larger tire size and equipment.
Police bikes are an invaluable tool for police to meet and greet members of their community in an efficient, non-confrontational manner.
I’m sure Fuji Bicycles did not envision their police bikes used as force multipliers or as unconventional weaponry against its own people when they first signed contracts with local police.
Arguably this is just a marketing move but in a real way, police units around the nation forced their hand.
Bravo to Fuji Bicycles and hopefully other police-spec bicycle units follow suit
