As of this writing, Trike Patrol Mitch has over 14,000 followers on a small but growing community Facebook page. Local news has done two feature stories. A documentary filmmaker has reached out. There’s now a petition to name the five-way intersection “Mitch’s Crossing.”
And what does Mitch think of all this attention?
When asked, he shrugs, takes a sip of his coffee, and adjusts his sunglasses. "I'm just a guy on a trike," he says. "But every time a kid gets home safe, I know I did my job."
Then he twists the throttle, the electric motor hums to life, and Trike Patrol Mitch rolls off toward the horizon—three wheels, one mission, and zero tolerance for rolled stop signs. trike patrol mitch
If you see a slow-moving tricycle with an amber light bar and a very determined expression on its rider’s face, slow down. It’s not a parade. It’s a patrol. And Mitch is watching.
A typical patrol shift for Mitch runs from 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM—coinciding with school release and rush hour. His jurisdiction is a 4.2-mile loop covering three elementary schools, two senior living centers, and a notoriously dangerous five-way intersection.
2:45 PM: Mitch clocks a white sedan doing 38 in a 25. He does not attempt a pursuit. Instead, he films the license plate and the speed readout from his handlebar-mounted radar gun. By 3:00 PM, the footage is uploaded to the county sheriff’s community traffic complaint portal. As of this writing, Trike Patrol Mitch has
3:30 PM: A landscaping truck blocks the bike lane. Mitch leaves a pre-printed "courtesy violation notice" under the wiper blade. The notice reads: "This area monitored by Trike Patrol. Please respect our shared roadway. - Mitch." The truck is gone within ten minutes.
4:45 PM: The highlight of the day. A distracted mother, steering with her knees while scrolling on her phone, drifts across the center line. Mitch rings his brass bicycle bell (the classic "ring-ring") three times. She looks up, startled. Mitch points at the double yellow line, shakes his head slowly, then gives a thumbs down.
She mouths, "Sorry."
He nods, writes a note, and continues rolling.
This is not About ego. For Mitch, it is about safety. And the trike makes it possible.
To understand the effectiveness of Trike Patrol Mitch, you must appreciate the vehicle. It is less a bike and more a mobile command center. Here is a breakdown of his standard loadout: If you see a slow-moving tricycle with an
Inspired by Trike Patrol Mitch? Before you buy a tricycle and a vest, consider his ten rules for responsible civilian patrol: