The “ Coos Bay to UK” trip started as a dream for a few Coos Bay police officers and has now become a reality. They were inspired when they heard about the “Bobby on a Bike” team riding bicycles 1800 miles from Canada to Mexico. This was the second time a group of United Kingdom Constables set out on this west coast trek. These Coos Bay officers thought it would be a tremendous opportunity to go to the UK, bike across the country, learn about policing in the UK, be liaisons between Coos Bay and UK school children, and be ambassadors representing the City of Coos Bay.
They began planning in May of 2005 for a May 2006 trip to the UK. The early stages of planning included meeting and coordinating with the “Bobby on a Bike” team as they passed though Coos Bay on May 29, 2005. They found Neil, Tony, Jeff, Chris, and Mathew very excited about the idea. They agreed to coordinate our visit to the UK by assisting with route planning and other accommodations.
Our planning is continuing at a fast pace and we are asking for your help. Not only does the team have to get into shape to ride 600 miles, in 10 days, we are needing to raise funds through sponsorships and donations to offset individual expenses just as the “Bobby on a Bike” team had to do. Each team member is responsible for their airfare and other travel expenses for the entire time they are in the UK.
The “ Coos Bay to UK” trip is the first of its kind. No other United States law enforcement team has traveled to the UK for a bicycling trek as goodwill ambassadors. The team is comprised of six members of the Coos Bay Police Department including Sergeant Robert Lounsbury, and Officers Randy Sparks, Scott Rogers, Hugo Hatzel, Chris Chapanar, and Mark Ereth. Along with the officers, Nick Furman and Rich Underdahl are team members.
If you are interested in making a tax deductible donation checks can be make payable to Coos Bay to UK and can be sent to 500 Central Avenue Coos Bay, Oregon 97420 Attention: Robert Lounsbury. The City of Coos Bay Tax identification number is 93-6002141.
The Coos Bay to UK team partners with Millicoma Intermediate School
The team is committed to accomplishing their mission.
The Coos Bay to UK team conducts bicycle safety at Wal-Mart
Bobbies (UK) visit to Coos Bay (Bike Presentation)
The Mission
- Represent the City of Coos Bay as goodwill ambassadors
- Learn about policing practices in the UK which can be implemented to improve our service to the citizens of Coos Bay.
- Promote bicycling with the youth of our community through bicycle safety classes and rodeos.
- Promote friendships between Coos Bay and UK school children as liaisons. Each team member will visit and be an adopted member of a Coos Bay and UK school class.
