How federal money is pushing cops towards e-bikes

Police departments across the U.S. are turning to electric bicycles as a cost‑effective patrol tool, and federal funding is making the shift easier. In Clinton, the Police Department and County Sheriff’s Office received five all‑terrain Recon Power Bikes, three for the police (one earmarked for a mental‑health co‑responder) and two for the sheriff’s office. The grant that paid for the bikes and related gear was the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, a major source of federal criminal‑justice funding for state and local agencies. The bikes, which can reach 20 mph (32 km/h) and boast a claimed range of 50 miles (80 km), allow officers to cover more ground than on foot or with pedal bikes while still accessing trails, parks and other areas where cars are impractical. E‑bikes are gaining traction in departments nationwide—from trail patrols to downtown policing and community engagement—because they are inexpensive to buy and run, need no gasoline, can squeeze into tight spots, and make officers more approachable. While they are not a replacement for patrol cars, they fill the gap between foot patrols and full‑size vehicles. With federal grant money covering the entire cost, more departments are adopting electric two‑wheelers. E‑bikes are proving popular, with BULLS e‑bikes already serving the LAPD.