The Williamsport Bureau of Police added two new Volcanic police-ready eBikes to its Bicycle Patrol capabilities.

“Electric bicycles are becoming increasingly helpful for patrol duties by allowing officers to patrol a greater area which they can cover more quickly,” said Assistant Police Chief Jason P. Bolt.

The eBikes can also help officers patrol for a longer period of time with less fatigue, he said.

By using the two patrol eBikes, as well as the six non-electric Volcanic Patrol bicycles, the officers can traverse areas that normal vehicles can’t access, and can also better position themselves to safely observe situations while responding to incidents.

The eBikes are considered by the department to be great for community engagement due to officers being more visible and allowing easy interactions with everyone.

“Any of our patrol officers are able to utilize these bikes when necessary, and you can expect to see them out riding as frequently as possible in the next few months,” Bolt said.

The city was able to purchase all of the patrol bicycles that are currently in service through a Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency grant that was previously awarded, so there is no cost to the city budget.

The use of eBikes in police work represents a shift towards environmentally friendly practices within law enforcement agencies, according to bicycle mountain.blog.com.

These bikes emit no pollutants, contributing to a greener, more sustainable approach to policing.

Their silent operation also aids in stealthier patrolling, which can be crucial in certain surveillance and crime prevention scenarios.

It is a proactive step towards more engaged, efficient, and sustainable law enforcement methodologies.