The Cleveland Department of Police’s traffic unit will be nearly silent running with new electric cycles on city street patrol.
The unit has received e-motorcycle manufacturer LAND’s urban EV, named The District, as an alternative mode of transportation for patrols. Officers can use the slightly smaller “e-moto” version quietly for on and off-road, though dirt trails, alleyways and parking lots.
More in EnergyTech on Police Patrols Going Electric
The e-moto is powered by portable electric battery packs that are reportedly easy to recharge with a standard power outlet or swap a low battery with a fully charged one.
The impetus behind the investment is not only attract to gain significant savings in gas and maintenance costs but also to cover more ground at large concerts, parades and sporting events. The use of e-bikes might even break down physical barriers between the public and officers.
"The EV vehicles show promising results as our traffic unit put them to use this past weekend, patrolling many of our large-scale events," Cleveland Division of Police Chief Dorothy Todd, said in a statement. "The appeal of the EV is it is an e-bike, e-moped and e-motorcycle in one and aligns with Cleveland's mission to build a sustainable city."
Cleveland was the first police department to purchase The District for patrolling. LAND is based in Cleveland.
Other law enforcement agencies utilizing electric motorcycles or e-bikes on patrols include the U.S. National Park Service, the city of Palatine, Illinoi, and Livermore, California, among others.
