Westfield Bike Patrol ups its Game With Motorized Donation

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By MATT KADOSH, Tap Into Westfield, August 21, 2019 at 12:00 PM

Photo: A Westfield Police Officer is on bike patrol at the 2019 Pizza Run in Westfield.Credits: Matt Kadosh/TAPinto Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — If you see a police bicycle hot on your tail in this town, don’t think that you’ll be able to out-run it just because the officer is only on two wheels.

The Westfield Police Department on Tuesday announced local businessman Rory Chadwick’s donation of an electric bicycle built specifically for law enforcement.

“It is equipped with a powerful Bosch motor for sustained speeds of up to 28 mph, a light and tough allow frame, a high-quality suspension fork and patrol ready features,” said Police Chief Chris Battiloro in a news release.

Since the implementation of bicycle patrols earlier this summer, Westfield Police have been seen atop two wheels at outdoor public events such as the annual 5K & Pizza Extravaganza, the Sweet Sounds Downtown Music Festival and a recent rally calling for an end to gun violence. Battiloro said police have been using refurbished bicycles that are two decades old for the patrols.

Chadwick, who is the owner of the Westfield consignment store Midtown Authentic, said he had seen the motorized patrol bikes used in other municipalities.

“Since we didn’t have, one I bought one for them,” Chadwick told TAPinto Westfield. “Westfield has a unique landscape with a residential area and large downtown business community.

“A bike like this can maneuver in ways a police car can’t. It can get places a car can’t. If it helps catch a bad guy or saves a life because of its functionality then it’s served a valuable purpose.”

Chadwick thanked Jay’s Cycle Center of Westfield, a Trek distributor, for facilitating the purchase.

“This electric bike will allow our officers to patrol safer, farther and faster,” Battiloro added.