Easy riding for these bike cops. Their new wheels can go 50 mph.
Photo Courtesy of the Borough of Carteret
The Carteret Police Department announced the purchase and unveiling of five electric bikes on Tuesday. The bikes can reach speeds up to 50 miles per hour.
By Brianna Kudisch | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, July 25, 2019
One New Jersey police department has found a newer and faster way to move around the town it covers—electric bikes.
Carteret Police Chief Dennis McFadden and Mayor Daniel J. Reiman announced Tuesday that the department had purchased five Recon Power bikes for the police officers to use.
“We decided to purchase electric bikes as a way to patrol the waterfront park, and various parks in our community,” McFadden said. “With the assisted pedaling, our officers (in the event that they will have to respond to a call) will not be out of breath or tired from having to pedal a distance to respond.”
The bikes, which each cost $3,495, can reach up to 50 miles per hour and “even climb or descend stairs with ease,” according to the release. They are also fitted with electric motors, lithium ion batteries, air suspensions, wide tires, hydraulic disc brakes, lights, and LCD controllers.
Police officers who will use the bikes will receive an approximate two-hour training, taught by a police officer who has gone over the bike with a representative from Recon, McFadden said.
They’re not the only police department utilizing the electric bikes—the Harrison, New York police department also introduced two electric bikesin June, although their bikes can only reach speeds up to 28 miles per hour, according to an article from News 12.
McFadden said the Edison police department has also looked into purchasing electric bikes, and they are currently used by federal law enforcement.
The Harrison police department bought the bikes from Sleek eBikes in Tarrytown, New York, News 12 reported.
Edward Busk, the owner of Sleek eBikes, said other departments are in discussion to buy electric bikes, including the New York Police Department. Nothing was finalized though, he said.
He also said the Los Angeles Police Department has had them for a while, and they were specifically built for police use.
“I think it’s a great use of taxpayer money,” he said. “If you have some additional help motoring around, you’ll be in a much better mood to help when you arrive. It makes [police officer’s] job easier.”