Cape Coral Police Department testing heavy-duty, electric mountain bikes for patrol
By Michael Braun, Fort Myers News-Press, December 30, 2020
Photo: From left, Cape Coral Master Sgt. Patrick O’Grady, Master Cpl. Chad Hartzell, and officer Charles Mills.
The Cape Coral Police Department is running a test drive on an electric mountain bike to be used for patrol purposes.
"Maintaining the highest standard of service to our community requires evaluating the technology we use and testing the newest technology on the market," a release from the department said.
The department has used regular bicycles to supplement patrol at special events during the holidays.
"We are currently testing the Recon Power Bike to evaluate how this technology can improve the efficiency and responsiveness of our officers," the department said.
The version being tested, the $2,600 Recon Commando, comes with a 750 watt Hub motor, powered by a 48 volt lithium ion battery, Shimano drivetrain and color LCD control panel, heavy-duty frame with lifetime warranty, hydraulic disc brakes with coil front suspension, and fat boy puncture resistant tires, according to the manufacturer's web page.
Company information said the bikes can sustain a speed of between 20 and 25 mph and have a range of 30 and 40 miles between charges.
The company, Recon Power Bikes, is made up of people with backgrounds as active, reserve and veteran military members. Company information said that their first efforts as a company are to provide power bikes to law enforcement and that they are used by the FBI and other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
"Our certified bicycle riders will put the bike through rigorous testing and make their recommendation at the completion of the trial," a Cape Coral police spokesman said.
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Cape Coral police are testing electronic bikes for their patrols
WINK News, December 30, 2020
The Cape Coral Police Department is considering purchasing electronic bikes to help officers with patrols. The department, in a news release, wrote the department is testing the Recon Power Bike to evaluate whether the technology can help improve the efficiency and responsiveness of officers.
The electronic bikes would be in addition to foot patrols. Cape Coral police already employs bike officers in part of the city. The e-bikes can ride through sand and water, but a special bike rack would have to be installed on vehicles because they weigh about 70 pounds.
“We will probably start off with two, just to make sure that you don’t buy a whole fleet of them and you find out that they’re not exactly what you need,” said Master Sgt. Patrick O’Grady, public information officer for the Cape Coral Police Department.
The bikes retail for about $2,500, according to the Recon Power Bikes website. The Cape Coral Police Department said the bikes can up to 20 to 30 miles an hour and can travel about 40 miles with a single charge.
“It’ll be used at community events, special events, bar details,” O’Grady said. “It could be used in burglary suppression in neighborhoods, it’s got a lot of uses out of it.” In case of an emergency, O’Grady said, the special bikes can be used to get somewhere quicker. Bike officers go through a 40-hour training course and ride for 100 miles before getting certified.
“Well, it would keep everybody safe, you know, at the event so it would be good for the public and law enforcement as well,” said Jeannie Thwaites, a Cape Coral resident.
Denita Moorijara, of Cape Coral, agrees. “It would be very nice,” Moorijara said.