Police receive E-Assist bikes
Bicycles donated by local businesses; presentation May 10
By Traverse City Record Eagle Staff, May 3, 2018
Tim Brick with one of the two electrically assisted mountain bikes being donated to the Traverse City Police Department by Brick Wheels, Keen Technical Solutions and ReMax Bayshore. Record-Eagle/Dan Nielsen
TRAVERSE CITY — Traverse City’s bicycle patrol officers will be able to navigate summer traffic a bit faster this summer.
Brick Wheels, Keen Technical Solutions and ReMax Bayshore are donating a pair of E-Assist mountain bikes to the Traverse City Police Department.
The Cannondale E-Cujo bikes have Shimano MTB Electric assist motors that power them up to 25 mph and have a 60- to 80-mile range. The bikes are equipped with emergency vehicle flashing red-and-blue lights, sirens, rear racks with storage bags and police markings.
The electric vehicles should help bike officers arrive at problem scenes more quickly and less winded and therefore able to better respond to whatever happened. Bicycles can maneuver through festival crowds much easier than full-size patrol vehicles, and electric-assist bikes are faster than bicycles powered solely by muscle.
“We do utilize cycle patrols during the summer and realize the need is there,” Traverse City Police Chief Jeff O’Brien said in a release.
“However, it’s asking a lot of the patrolling officers to speed to an accident scene carrying all their gear and arriving fresh. A tired cop is a vulnerable cop and these bikes will level the field. We are very appreciative of this contribution that’s sure to have many far-reaching benefits. We looked at E-Bikes last year but we just don’t have the budget to make that type of an investment.”
The combined value of the two police-equipped bicycles is more than $10,000, the release stated.
The bikes will be officially presented to the police department on May 10 at 10 a.m. at Brick Wheels, 736 E. Eighth St. Coffee, beverages and healthy treats will be available during the event. E-Assist bicycles will be available for test rides.