The Ohio State University Police Division (OSUPD) is using new, crime-fighting technology to enhance security efforts on campus. In early July, OSUPD purchased three electronic bicycles to add to their fleet of 15 mechanical bikes.
Nana Amoako, a patrol officer and bike patrol team member, works evening shift and looks forward to taking them out on campus. He finished bike training in late April.
“They’re great!” Officer Amoako said. “They’re faster and will get you to places that are harder to get to in a cruiser.”
The e-bikes, made by Trek, work by using an electric motor and battery to help power the cycle. The bikes have technology called pedal assist, which allows the rider to control the amount of power the drive system provides and the assist only kicks in when the rider pedals.
Riders use the displays and controllers to adjust the bike’s settings. Trek’s website says bikes can travel from 20 to 100 miles on a single charge and maximum speeds range from 16 mph to 28 mph.
“It’s an amazing tool,” said Lieutenant Bruce Allen. “When that assist kicks in, you can reach speeds that would have you winded on a normal bike.”
Charging them is similar to charging a household electronic device. You plug it into a wall outlet and connect the charger to the battery.
The new wheels have been on the mind of Chief Kimberly Spears-McNatt for a couple years.
“They offer health benefits and are also environmentally friendly,” said Chief Spears-McNatt.
Two officers per shift are dedicated to OSUPD’s bike patrol and 51 officers are currently trained to ride bikes.
To date, officers have ridden more than 200 campus miles on the e-bikes and Chief Spears-McNatt would like to purchase three more in the future.