TPD raising funds to buy pedal-assist bike
by y Tesina Jackson, Tahlequah Daily Press, July 13, 2018
Photo: Tahlequah Assistant Police Chief Steve Garner and Officer Pam Bell stand with two pedal assist bicycles. The Tahlequah Police Department is attempting to raise funds to purchase one to assist its bike patrol unit with responding to calls quicker.
Tahlequah Police Department officers have been raising funds for an electronic pedal-assist bicycle to help a specialized patrol unit respond to calls.
After TPD received its International Police Mountain Bike Association certification in September, Assistant Police Chief Steve Garner, along with Officers Pam Bell, Casey McKinney and Dexter Scott, were the first to participate in the new bike patrol unit.
To become certified, the four had to take a 40-hour class, with eight hours spent in a classroom and 32 hours learning bicycle skills and scenario training.
Currently, the patrol unit uses mountain bikes.
Garner said pedal-assist bikes offer more benefits than regular bicycles. For one thing, they give the officers a quicker response time.
"It will allow us to keep up with the flow of traffic and get to calls faster," he said. "On this bike, we can get across town in minutes."
The bikes can beat traffic to incidents, allowing the officer to potentially stop a situation from escalating, as well as keeping him from getting exhausted before arrival.
Police officers also have to carry equipment with them, which makes a bicycle heavier and harder to ride uphill or for long distances. A pedal-assist bike would give the officer an extra push.
Garner said the bikes charge electronically and can take approximately four hours to reach 100 percent battery power. Some bikes can reach nearly 30 mph in speed.
He added the bike will also allow the officer to be stealthier while coming in contact with a suspect.
Officers recently had a chance to demo two pedal-assist bicycles and are trying to raise $3,500 to purchase one.
While on bike patrol, officers are required to wear their equipment, as well as certain uniforms that have reflectors.