The police department in the small town of Pacloet, S.C. is trying a new approach to enforcing speed laws in the form of a bicycle cop.

Officer Mike Meissner is the town's first bike patrolman. Meissner said it was his idea to try the bike patrol to catch speed violations on town streets. He reasoned that by the time drivers realized someone was standing by the side of the road pointing a radar gun at them, it would be too late to hit their brakes.

"I told him to run with it," Police Chief Bob Ivey said. "I thought it was a good idea."

"They're surprised to see a bike patrol in a smaller town like this," Meissner said. "We've had some major accidents at this intersection. That's one of the reasons I come here."

Meissner hasn't had to chase anyone yet. However, his pedal speed is up to 19 miles per hour, so he said he wouldn't mind an occasional low speed chase.

So far, it looks like the bike cop approach to catching speeders is working. Drivers have slowed down while traveling through Pacolet and Meissner's not burning any fuel, so it's very cost-effective.

Ivey said he's even looking into adding a few more bike cops.