Downtown business donates new bike to police
By: Stephanie Barnes, KRCR News, August 19, 2016
CHICO, Calif. - While downtown businesses are rolling in increased revenue because of returning students, one of the businesses is rolling out a bike to help police keep downtown safe.
Campus Bicycles donated a brand new trek bike, with a hydraulic disk break system and 29 inch wheels for officers to use as they police the streets. The bike is valued at $1,100.
Budd Schwab, the owner of Campus Bicycles, said it is a win-win for police and their business safety.
"I've been lucky on this corner, especially being so near the plaza, but I know what goes on around town," Schwab said.
Lt. Rob Merrifield with the Chico Police Department said the bike was a welcomed gift.
During the summer, they dedicated two officers for bike patrol of the downtown and Bidwell Park areas.
Though their previous fleet of six bikes gets the job done, this new ride makes it that much better.
"What we find with the bike patrol is that they're just much more accessible than an officer in a car and because they're moving at a slower speed, they're typically able to see, hear and perceive more," Lt. Merrifield said.
As staffing allows, the department said they plan to keep devoting resources to the bike patrol, especially with Chico State students returning.
They hope to eventually build up a permanent bike patrol.
Campus Bicycles added they plan to donate a second bike to the department, possibly as early as the end of August.
Watch the video: http://www.krcrtv.com/news/local/butte/downtown-business-donates-new-bike-to-police/51429648